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FHEQ level

This course is set at Level 6 in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Course Aims

Students combining their history degree with sociology will enhance their understanding of past societies with their knowledge of sociological theory and data; while their understanding of contemporary societies will be deepened by seeing these in the light of change over time. In the cases of both history and sociology, the relationship between empirical knowledge and theoretical understanding is a major concern. During the first two years of this degree, students combine the core contemporary history and sociology courses. In Year 3, they specialise within both subjects, taking the history courses in the core courses list, and either two sociology options or a sociology research project on a topic of their own choice.

The courses taken in History are designed to achieve the following aims:
To develop knowledge and understanding of the human past
To foster awareness and understanding of historical processes which have a direct or indirect bearing on the present
To encourage respect for historical context and evidence
To reflect critically on differing interpretations of the medium and distant past
To impart particular skills and qualities of mind relevant to the discipline of history
To satisfy key criteria of historical knowledge and method, including an awareness of span and change over time across geographical range
Engage with primary as well as secondary sources
Reflect on the theoretical underpinnings of the historical discipline
Foster an appreciation of the diversity of historical specialisms (including social, economic, cultural, political, intellectual, gender, oral, and environmental history)
Satisfy progression requirements by conducting i) survey history, ii) particular historical topics or short periods, iii) comparative and thematic history, iv) historiography, v) documentary-based special subjects.

The overall aim of the Sociology courses is to enable students to understand the contemporary world - with a range of empirical knowledge which they can evaluate and relate to theories and an understanding of how they can use sociological concepts, approaches and methods in carrying out both academic and field research. Students will learn to analyse social events, ideas, institutions and practices critically. Relevant research techniques as well as transferable practical and intellectual skills are emphasised in both disciplines.

Course learning outcomes

explain major sociological concepts and theories, and their application in contemporary sociology

demonstrate knowledge of different societies, and understanding of what may be learned by comparing them

demonstrate understanding and knowledge of key topics and debates in a number of specialised areas in sociology

collate a range of appropriate sources (including paper, audio-visual and electronic sources) and structure material from them to answer a question

assess the strengths and weaknesses of empirical material as evidence for conclusions in specific cases

critically evaluate competing explanations and sociological theories in a range of contexts

formulate research questions and plan how to answer them

identify and use appropriate research methods (including questionnaires, interviews, observations and content analysis)

analyse the ethical implications of social research in a variety of settings

make simple analyses of quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate computer programs

communicate effectively with others and present information both orally and in writing

conduct a literature search and produce a correctly formatted bibliography

manage their time in long-term work programmes

have developed an awareness of continuity and change over an extended time span (Time Depth)

have developed the historians skills and qualities of mind

have understood historical process over an extended period

have a broad and comparative understanding of the history of more than one society, culture or state (Geographical Range)

have undertaken close work on primary source material and carry out intensive critical work on such source material (Contemporary Sources)

reflect critically on the nature of the discipline, its social rationale, its theoretical underpinnings and its intellectual standing (Critical Awareness)

critically engage with a variety of approaches to history and critically engage with the concepts and methodologies of other disciplines where appropriate (Diversity of Spacialisms)

formulate, execute, and complete an extended piece of writing under appropriate supervision (Extended Writing)

have acquired a range of core and personal attributes, cognitive, research, practical, and transferable skills (HAHP Core Transferable Skills)

Full-time course composition

Course convenors

Iain McDaniel
Associate Professor In Intellectual History

Christopher Warne
Associate Professor

About your joint honours course

Sussex has always promoted interdisciplinary study by encouraging students to combine different subjects and different approaches to learning. Joint-honours courses are an ideal option if you want to study more than one subject in depth. A key idea behind joint-honours is to experience the range of ways that different academic disciplines use to teach, learn and research. Those differences are stimulating and challenging, but they can also be confusing, so you will find some useful information below to help you get the most out of your course.

• To find information about the individual modules that make up your course, go to the school that teaches the module. Each module is assessed by the school that teaches it, so on their website you will find (under “student information”) information about the assessment criteria being used, the referencing style you need to use for your work, contact times for your tutors, information about the student reps scheme and lots of other useful information.
• To find general information about joint honours, use the Frequently Asked Questions list
• For information about the rules and regulations that govern all Sussex students, start with the general student handbook
• For help in improving your study skills, using the library and with careers, try the Skills Hub.

And if you have any other questions, contact the convenors for your course; they are here to help you.

Useful links

• Frequently asked questions
• General student handbook
• Skills Hub