Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Studying Social Sciences (FNDN07032)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This¿interdisciplinary¿course¿will¿give you a taste of how the social sciences are taught at university. You will be introduced to forms of learning, teaching and assessment that are common¿at undergraduate level in the social sciences.¿ |
| Course description |
Each step of the course aims to prepare you for undergraduate (UG) study and your intended degree. It does this in two, interrelated ways:
Firstly, by increasing your familiarity with the social sciences. The aim is to both give you a taste of the range of social sciences subjects you could study at Edinburgh, including Business, Psychology, Social Policy and Politics, and a general sense of how the social sciences help us tackle social issues, such as inequality or climate change. The course will introduce you to foundational texts and debates and to perspectives that challenge historical biases and power dynamics, enabling a deeper understanding of the social sciences.
Secondly, Introduction to Social Sciences will increase your confidence in your own approach to learning. We will introduce you to the most common forms of teaching and assessment at UG level and how to get the most out of these. Each week, sessions will combine interactive lectures, tutorial discussions, group work, opportunities for reflection, and skills workshops. Drawing on the sessions and your knowledge from FEALL, you will then complete two assignments that introduce you to the process and nature of assessment at UG level.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 44,
Summative Assessment Hours 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
148 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% Coursework:
50% Essay (Individual) ¿ Assesses all course Learning Outcomes
50% Poster (Group) ¿ Assesses all course Learning Outcomes |
| Feedback |
You will receive individual written feedback on formative assignments and summative assignments, in line with the University¿s Assessment and Feedback Principles and Priorities, and within the university-wide turnaround period.
You will also receive continuous feedback from your teachers in class and teachers will be able to provide guidance before and after the assessment submission date. The feedback and guidance enable an ongoing conversation with teachers throughout the term in both this and the FEALL¿course,¿on how to improve key academic skills in preparation for term 2 and undergraduate study.¿ |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Communicate purposefully about a social sciences topic or concept,¿demonstrating¿an awareness¿of¿audience and context.¿
- Describe key concepts, theories, and¿approaches¿used in studying the Social Sciences.¿
- Show awareness of the diversity of perspectives within the social sciences, and how they challenge historical biases and power dynamics.
- Develop a social science argument, using appropriate theories, evidence, and academic sources.
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Reading List
Connell, R., (2007) Southern Theory: The Global Dynamics of Knowledge in the Social Science. Taylor & Francis Group.
Ivory. S. (2021) Becoming a Critical Thinker. Oxford University Press.
Students will need a laptop or tablet to access course materials and online elements of the course. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course supports the development of Skills for Success. Through their engagement, students will have the opportunity to develop:
Critical Thinking by developing independent thought through questioning norms, practices and opinions; seeking relevant and appropriate evidence and understanding biases; determining the significance of what is being expressed; seeing wider themes and patterns in information.
Curiosity by continuously exploring and learning from challenging experiences; asking searching questions and adopting different perspectives; harnessing opportunities and taking initiative.
Problem Solving by imagining alternative ways of addressing problems; synthesising information and translating it into knowledge within different contexts
Collaboration by understanding and respecting the needs, perspectives and actions of others; fostering cooperation and managing conflict in groups; [being] able to connect with and learn from others and build positive relationships.
Reflection by reviewing [learning] during and after activities; considering choices, decisions and their outcomes; recognising own strengths and emotions; [demonstrating] an awareness of personal values and integrity; setting and achieving goals.
Communication by active listening; public speaking; the ability to convey effective meaning [¿] which create[s] shared understanding.
Inclusivity by being open to different views and perspectives; harnessing the benefit of difference and diversity; seeking to create inclusive and welcoming environments; communicating across languages and cultures.
Adaptivity by managing own time and wellbeing; coping with uncertainty and ambiguity; applying personal drive, motivation and determination.
Data and Digital Literacy by considering the ethical aspects of using data and technology; understanding, interpreting and questioning evidence derived from data and its sources; using digital tools appropriate to contexts.
Individuality by nurturing skills and talents [students have] arrived with; identifying and strengthening those skills which have personal, discipline and professional significance; creating and implementing plans for future growth. |
| Keywords | Social Sciences,Foundation Skills,Academic Skills,Reflection,Reading,Writing,Listening,speaking |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Liz MacDougall
Tel:
Email: emacdou3@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr James Cooper
Tel: (0131 6)50 4400
Email: jcooper6@ed.ac.uk |
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