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Investigating Social Problems - SOC00011C

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

Adopting a ‘problem-based learning’ approach, this module will develop your thinking about complex social problems in contemporary society using key concepts and perspectives from Sociology and Criminology. You will learn how to build evidence-based ways of understanding challenging 'real world' issues, develop your ability to find relevant sources and to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

How can we understand the complexity of social life through multiple kinds of concepts, data, and methods? Adopting a ‘problem-based learning’ approach, this module will develop your thinking about complex social problems in contemporary society by using key concepts and perspectives from Sociology and Criminology. You will analyse ‘real world’ problems, without any clear or obvious solution, to build an evidence-based means of understanding it. This module will develop your ability to find and evaluate sources using databases, and to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively to others. These skills will prove invaluable as you progress through your degree and will enhance your prospects after graduation.

Module learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate a good understanding of sociological and criminological debates and concepts relating to the themes addressed in the module

2. Work collaboratively in teams to define and investigate complex social problems, using sociological and criminological ideas and appropriate sources

3. Demonstrate your ability to apply evidence to critically analyse social problems.

4. Organise, present, and communicate your ideas clearly and effectively to others

5. Reflect on the knowledge and skills you have developed in order to analyse complex social problems and how they may apply these skills in future problems

6. Evaluate different types of data, the questions they help to answer and their ethical dimensions

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

For formative work - Tutors for PBL sessions and journal entries - students will receive written or verbal feedback on how to improve their skills in areas that will contribute towards their summative assessment. Both formative assessments provide practice for the summative tasks and are in line with MLO 1-6.

For summative work - Portfolio - students will receive an overall mark and grading according to clearly defined criteria for assessing their knowledge, skills and abilities in line with MLO 2,4,6. They will also receive written feedback showing areas in which they have done well and those areas in which they need to improve that will contribute to their progress.

Indicative reading

Trevino, A. J. (ed) (2021) Investigating Social Problems. London: SAGE Publications


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.