Foundation course: Sociology Page 1 of 2

Course information 2014-15

FP0006 Foundation Course: Sociology
This is the foundation course on which subsequent, university level Sociology courses are
based. This course offers a broad introduction to Sociology, its key thinkers, concepts and
research areas.

Prerequisites
None apply.


Aims and objectives
This major aims of this course are to:
provide an introduction to Sociology as a
social scientific discipline, its history, key
contributors and methodology
consider key ways in which sociological
knowledge can be applied to real-life
contexts
provide tools that support students in
critical thinking and argumentation


Essential reading
The course will supplement the on-line study
guide with excerpts from a range of sources
as appropriate to the stage of the course.
These include excerpts from textbooks, media
texts and various on-line resources. Excerpts
are drawn from the following textbooks:

Browne, K. (20013) Sociology for AS AQA. 4
th

ed. Cambridge: Polity Press
Giddens. A. and Sutton, P. W. (2013) Sociology
Cambridge: Polity Press.







Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, and having
completed the essential reading and activities,
students should be able to:


Identify and explain key concepts, theories
and methodological approaches used in
Sociology

Apply Sociological theories and models to
real-life issues covered in the course

Contrast different approaches to the same
Sociological phenomenon in terms of the
evidentiary basis on which claims are
made

Assessment
This course is assessed by a two-hour unseen
written examination.






Students should consult the Programme Specification and Regulations for the International Foundation Programme that are reviewed
annually. All course information, including the syllabus are subject to confirmation in the Regulations. Notice is also given in the
Regulations of any courses which are being phased out and students are advised to check course availability annually.

Foundation course: Sociology Page 2 of 2
Syllabus
This is an indicative description of the material to be examined, as published in the Regulations. On
registration, students will receive a detailed subject guide which provides a framework for covering the
topics in the syllabus and directions to the essential reading.

Overview: The course introduces students
to the history of Sociology, outlining how
key thinkers have contributed to the
development of the discipline. In doing
this, the course introduces students to key
sociological concepts and theories and
explores these in the context of real-life
issues. There is also an introduction to
research methods in sociology.

Unit 1 - Sociological perspectives: This
unit offers an introduction to the history
and concepts of Sociology, its key thinkers
and methods.

Unit 2 - Sociological themes: This unit
introduces students to the study of a range
of social phenomena that sociologists are
interested in. These include identity,
political sociology, globalisation and
inequality.


Unit 3 - Policy issues: This module moves
on from theories and concepts to applying
sociological perspectives to practical
questions around family, education, crime
and poverty. Students will also compare
contrasting approaches both theoretical
and methodological to understanding
these issues.

Unit 4 - Contemporary issues: The final
module looks at areas of our lives
experiencing rapid social change, such as
urbanisation, media, work and the
environment. Students will apply different
sociological approaches to the study of
these issues.