Identify and analyse complex issues, arguments and concepts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Both assignments and class discussions encourage the ability to discuss, and formulate, complex argumentations.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is by seminar contributions, individual and group presentations, and written assignments.

Design appropriate research strategies and use sociological methods in order to resolve a research question.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will enhance their skills through the writing of research proposals, the evaluation of methodological strategies and data analyse. They will apply those skills through independent research (dissertation).

Methods of Assessment

Assignments testing these skills include research proposals, critical evaluation of research methods; the dissertation entails the design of a research project up to completion.

Apply quantitative or qualitative methods to an advanced level for data collection.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will enhance their skills through assignments and methodological training. They will learn to apply research methods through their own research project.

Methods of Assessment

Assignments testing these skills include data analysis essays, observation reports, and the research dissertation.

Present reasoned and research-informed arguments effectively, by synthesising and assessing arguments, evidence and potential courses of action.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussions and assignments. Students receive detailed feedback on their coursework and presentations allowing them to develop their skills further.

Methods of Assessment

Students are required to formulate their own arguments in many assignments such as critical reviews, media analysis, research reports and oral/audio-visual presentations. Contributions to class discussions also test these skills.

Demonstrate reflexivity, including through reflections on the researcher’s role in knowledge production.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Discussions of case studies and ‘live’ research projects address the challenges of research and individual experiences. Small classes facilitate in-depth discussions.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by in-class contributions, self-reflecting journals, critical reviews and assessment of other studies, and the research dissertation.

Structure, manage and adapt strategies for self-directed independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Research dissertation, a programme of independent study agreed between student and supervisor, leading to the writing and submission of a thesis.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed by the completion of the research dissertation in particular.

Demonstrate skills in research design, data collection, data management and data analysis.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Methodological training, research-based modules and the dissertation encourage students to acquire and enhance their skills in the design, planning, execution and analysis of both quantitative and quantitative research.

Methods of Assessment

Students are assessed on the completion of research proposals, data analyses, and their research dissertation.

Summarize, evaluate critically and prioritize complex ideas and evidence; advocate solutions to inform their approach to social problems and complex tasks.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Different approaches and debates are presented in classes centring on both theory and practice. Pedagogy entails encouraging student contributions to discussion and debate.

Methods of Assessment

Students are required to present course work in a number of different formats including literature and policy reviews, blogs, research reports, mainstream media analysis and oral presentations.

Communicate research findings and arguments effectively for a variety of audiences.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

A purposely diverse range of assignments assists students in developing their communication skills: oral or audio-visual presentations, research proposals, blogs, policy reviews, media analyse, self-reflective learning journal etc.

Methods of Assessment

Relevant assessments include critical reviews, self-reflective journals, blogs, policy reviews, social media strategies, oral or audio-visual presentations, and a final dissertation. Contributions to class discussions also test these skills.

Experiential learning, including, where applicable, critical reflection on the relationship between the student’s professional and/or voluntary experience and their training in social science research methods.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The module ‘Work, Knowledge and Organisation in the 21st Century’ allows students to focus their attention on organisations they work for or volunteer with.

Methods of Assessment

Organisational Case Study.

Work in group settings with a well-developed capacity to relate to others in a research setting.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminar discussions, small group tasks and work group assignments are an important means of teaching and learning on this programme.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by group-work assignments and small group-work during seminars.

Demonstrate their knowledge of a range of contemporary and classical social theory and debates.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

‘Theory and Debates in Social Research’ and all our modules engage with key debates in sociology.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include oral presentations, data analyses, a dissertation, critical reviews of theories and research methods.

Critically discuss key texts, concepts and theoretical frameworks within the sociological studies of global inequalities, with an understanding of their complex and multifarious nature.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

All research-based modules engage with key issues and concepts within the social studies of global inequalities.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by oral presentations, data analyses, case-studies, critical reviews of theories and research methods and the research dissertation.

Understand the sources and multiple dimensions of inequality (SDGs 1, 8 and 10) including intersections across class, gender (SDG 5), race, citizenship, religion, sexuality, disability and age discrimination.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The complex sources and features of inequalities are covered in all research-based modules.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by oral presentations, data analyses, case-studies, critical reviews of theories and research methods and the research dissertation.

Examine how inequalities generate local and transnational phenomena such as conflicts, populism and extremism (SDG 16).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

This is covered in research-based modules, in particular (but not exclusively) in ‘A Sociology of Extremism in the Global Age’

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by oral presentations, data analyses, case-studies, critical reviews of theories and research methods and the research dissertation.

Explore the relationships between equities and conflict resolution (SDG 11)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

This is covered in research-based modules, in particular (but not exclusively) in ‘Religion, Power and Peacebuilding’ and ‘Social divisions, Conflict and Change in Northern Ireland’.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by oral presentations, data analyses, case-studies, critical reviews of theories and research methods and the research dissertation.

Analyse the ways in which social movements and protest groups across the world challenge injustice beyond geographical boundaries of the nation-state (SDGs 11 and 16).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

This is covered in particular (but not exclusively) in the core module ‘Power, Agency and Global Inequalities’.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by oral presentations, data analyses, case-studies, critical reviews of theories and research methods and the research dissertation.

Understand how social policies may exacerbate or reduce inequality (SDG 10) and poverty (SDG 1), achieve gender equality (SDG 5), maintain sustainable peace (SDG 16) and sustainable communities (SDG 11), or develop socioeconomic equities (SDG 8).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Addressed in research-based modules, in particular ‘Policy-engaged research for Public Sociologists’; as well as in ‘Religion, Power and Peacebuilding’ and ‘Social divisions, Conflict and Change in Northern Ireland’.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by critical policy reviews, case studies.

Develop a ‘transnational’ and ‘global’ perspective for understanding and addressing inequalities in contemporary societies.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Our research-based modules draw on the comparative work the team undertake in various regions of the world. The global and cross-national comparative approaches is a prominent feature of the ways in which inequalities will be addressed.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by oral presentations, data analyses, case-studies, critical reviews of theories and research methods and the research dissertation.

Display a critical awareness of the issues surrounding the application of a range of methodological approaches.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Different research strategies are presented in classes. Through assignments and practical teaching, methodological modules enable students to develop their skills in data collection and analysis.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed through critical reviews, research proposals, data analyses, self-reflective journals and the research dissertation. Contributions to class discussions also test these skills.

Understand the significance of alternative epistemological positions shaping social research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme contains a strong theoretical and reflexive component; students learn from pertinent examples of advanced level research projects.

Methods of Assessment

Knowledge and understanding are assessed through written assignments (including for example, critical reviews), oral presentations, and seminar contributions.

Demonstrate a comprehension of principles of research design and strategy.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Different research strategies are presented in classes. Assignments such as research proposals, data analyses, and the research dissertation enable student to master research design and strategy.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment through the completion of a research proposal, the design of questionnaires, undertaking face-to-face interviews, a reflective research diary, data analyse and the research dissertation.

Recognise the ethical implications of social research and identify appropriate solutions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students are taught the processes and purpose of research ethics in ‘Research Design’ and School-based training in relation to applications for ethics approval. They will be supported by their dissertation supervisor, to develop a deep understanding of ethical issues in relation to their own research project.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by research proposals and the research dissertation – which entails a successful application for ethics approval.

Competence in applying a broad range of research methods at an advanced level.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practical and applied aspects are covered throughout methodology modules in particular. ‘Research design’ introduces students to a range of research approaches and challenges. Supervised independent learning (dissertation).

Methods of Assessment

Research proposals, data analyses and the final dissertation require students to demonstrate competency in research methods.

Advancing new hypotheses or interpretations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Through research reports and projects, students learn to formulate their own argumentation.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed work includes research proposals and reports, data analyses, the research dissertation. Contributions to class discussions also test these skills.

Develop reflexivity, through:

a reflection on the value of social science research (including their own),

a competent understanding of the impact of research within and beyond academia, for instance in relation to policy questions – at national, international and cross-national levels.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme contains a strong theoretical component and students learn from pertinent examples of advanced level research projects. The module on Public Sociology and Engaged Research focuses on research impact.

Methods of Assessment

This is assessed by self-reflective journals, critical reviews; media analyses, blogs, social media strategies and policy reviews. Contributions to class discussions also test these skills.