West of Scotland, University of the, BA (Hons), Social Sciences

Options in: Social policy; psychology; sociology; politics; European studies; economics; psychology is concerned with explaining human behaviour, both individual and collective, and applying that understanding in a range of settings; sociology focuses on the social structure of modern Britain; introducing sociological theories and concepts in relation to particular institutional areas; politics provides an introduction to contrasting ideas about the aims and goals of political organisations and an overview of modern British political institutions; economics deals with how households, business organisations and governments interact within the institutional framework of an industrial economy; students are also introduced to the use of information technology in social science. Year 1 (all options): Students follow a common foundation programme taking a range of social sciences; students have the opportunity to engage in critical reflection on their 1st year of study through the preparation of a Personal Development Plan that is supported in year 1 and subsequent years of study. Year 2 (all options): Module in social science methods and normally 3 other subjects from psychology; sociology; politics; economics and social policy; a language (French, German or Spanish) may be selected in place of 1 of these optional subjects; students intending to study European studies beyond year 2 must take economics and politics. Psychology Year 3: Developmental psychology; social psychology; perception and the biological basis of behaviour; electives drawn from: psychology of health; psychology of work; forensic psychology; environmental psychology; sport and exercise psychology; analysis behaviour; 2 modules in research methods. Year 4 (Honours): Psychological theories; individual differences; memory and thinking; electives from the areas listed in Year 3 plus a dissertation. Sociology Year 3: Family; gender and crime in society; research methods; short research project. Year 4(Honours): Double module in social theory and further electives from year 3 plus dissertation. Politics: Year 3: Modules in European Union and United States politics; research methods; electives drawn from: West European politics; ideology and language; urban politics; Scottish politics. Year 4 (Honours): Core double module in democracy and social justice; electives from year 3 and dissertation. European studies Year 3: Modules on the idea of Europe; social science methods; electives including: European languages; economics; politics; law. Year 4 (Honours): 4 modules in European studies and a dissertation. Social policy (offered at Paisley only) Year 3: Issues in the fields of health and community care; housing; social security; family policy and personal social services; research methods. Year 4 (Honours): Core double module in corporate social policy; electives from Year 3; plus dissertation. Economics, Year 3: Study of industrial economics; trade and multinationals; electives such as the Scottish economy; West European economies; East European economies. Year 4 (Honours): Modules in industry and public policy, growth and industrial policy; a range of electives; dissertation.