Access to Higher Education Humanities and Social Sciences

Summary:

This course has been designed specifically for people with a mature approach to learning who wish to go on to study Humanities and Social Sciences at a higher level but who lack the formal qualifications such as A Level or AVCEs to do so.

Course Code: A2625 Course Length: One year Entry Requirements:

There are no formal entry qualifications but you do need a good level of numeracy and literacy at the start of the course. Selection is by a formal interview to discuss your suitability for the course and whether the course is right for you. As part of this process you will do on-line assessments and a short piece of writing to check you are at the right level to start the course. Advice can be given about alternative ways forward if necessary. For acceptance on the Access programme you will need to convince us that you have the determination to succeed and will be able to cope with the work. It should be appreciated that, although formal entry qualifications are not required, the course is as rigorous and demanding as an A-level course in preparing students for higher education.

Core Skills:

For the HSS programme you will choose three main subjects from the following list: Cultural Studies; English; Government & Politics; History; Psychology; and Sociology. In addition you will take units in Study Skills. You will also have an opportunity to study one subject in depth in an independent dissertation. The course is classroom based but lecturers use a variety of teaching methods in order to prepare students for degree level study. Students are also encouraged to study adult numeracy and adult literacy if appropriate.

Assessment:

Each main subjects offers 3 or 4 units each of which is assessed. When you successfully complete each assignment you will gain 3 or 6 credits towards your final qualification. Assessment techniques range from formal essay writing to presentation skills.

Academic Progression:

The majority of Access HSS students progress to study at degree level. Many students choose to study their degrees locally either at City College or at UEA but some students move out of the area to continue their education. The Access qualification is widely recognised by Higher Education institutions.

Full Description:

English

This module offers an opportunity to study a broad range of literature, varied in style, period and subject matter. You will be introduced to the skills of close reading and to the procedures of literary analysis. You will also explore the different ways in which a critical response can be formulated, a concern central to recent developments in the subject. The three major genres or 'kinds' of writing - poetry, prose fiction, and drama - are represented and the material is organised in four units, each with a distinct thematic focus. Themes vary from year to year, but include such topics as autobiography, the city in literature, romance, colonialism and post-colonialism. For each unit, one complete text is studied alongside a portfolio of extracts devised by the course team. This work then leads to an assignment which might take the form of an essay, timed exercise or oral presentation. Useful as a preparation for all degree programmes in the arts and social sciences, this module is particularly recommended for those who wish to retain the option of including English in their future studies.

Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies is best undertsood as an interdiciplinary subject that marries together the concerns of English Literature, Sociology, History, Media and Film Studies. Throughout the year we will examine the notion of cultural identity, focusing on how issues related to class, gender, national identity and ethnicity are communicated through the texts we produce and consume in British culture such as films, documentaries, contemporary art, television, magazines, and fashion. The course is structured as follows:

Unit 1: Here we examine the representation of class in texts produced between 1930s and 1960, focusing on the ways that British culture was beginning to change, heralding what would become known as the 'swinging sixties'. This is assessed by an essay.

Unit 2: In this unit our focus changes to the representation of gender in the texts produced in the 1960s and 1970s. We will look at a range of texts including films, advertising, and magazines to look at how attitudes to gender were changing. This unit is assessed through a creative piece of writing.

Unit 3: Our focus here turns to the representation of ethnicity in the films, fashions and musical styles and genres of the 1980s. We will turn our attention, specifically, to the representation of skinhead subcultures and post-colonial identities within a politically contentious period. This is assessed by exam.

Unit 4: In this final unit we will focus on contemporary art since the 1950s: from the Pop artists of the 1950s and 60s to the more recent conceptual artists such as Tracy Emin and Damien Hurst. We will also consider what is meant by postmodernism. This unit is assessed by presentation.

History

The overall theme for the history component is "the impact of industrialisation and the emergence of modern Britain" - a formula which has already proved highly successful with past Access students. There will be a gentle and general introduction to the academic discipline of history, considering the nature of the subject, the importance of evidence and its pitfalls, and the role of historical controversy. These general approaches also underpin the rest of the coverage. The following topics will be studied: industrial and agrarian change in Britain 1700-1880; social problems and social reform and the changing role and position of women in society. Assessment will be varied (essays, document-based questions, examinations) to provide a realistic preparation for more advanced study.

Government and Politics

This module uses the British political system to provide an introduction to politics and political ideologies. Study focuses on the nature of political processes and the distribution of power rather than on political institutions. Units include discussing the effectiveness of representation via elections, parties and pressure groups; the role of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, Civil Service and Parliament in the processes of decision making and control; the British constitution and democracy as a whole and the impact of the European Union. The core politics and social ideologies of conservatism, liberalism and socialism and their relation to British politics are also discussed. Students are also able to analyse an issue of current political significance. Assessment will be by a mixture of essays, stimulus material based questions and examination.

Psychology

Psychology is concerned with the scientific study of human behaviour and experience. The psychology module will provide you with a thorough grounding in the different methods and perspectives adopted by psychologists. The course begins with an introduction to the nature of psychology, relevance to everyday life and ethical issues. The theme of "the individual in society" links the topics which are then studied throughout the rest of the course. The topics are mainly drawn from developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology and individual differences. With help and guidance from staff, you will be required to complete a number of assessments including a report based on empirical research.

Sociology

This module focuses upon debates and issues concerning contemporary global society. The central theme of society's inequalities in wealth, power and control between individuals and social groups and institutions runs through the course. This is introduced in Unit 1 through an exploration of classical and contemporary sociological theory applied to social change. As society has 'evolved' the theory used to study it has also evolved. This unit explores social change, the effect these have on institutions and the freedom the individual has in society within these institutions. Issues debated include: Has society moved from the modern to the post-modern? Is there such a thing as 'society' anymore? What impact has globalisation had on how we construct our views and values?

Social inequalities are investigated in Unit 2 through the introduction of stratification theory. Poverty and unemployment within the UK will be investigated using social theory and applied to gender and age. Theories aurrounding prejudice can be investigated around the concepts of race, gender and disability and inequalities, looking at the role of ideology and policy. Finally, theories of global inequality can be investigated and applied to contemporary issues. Students will choose a topic of their interest from the social area and investigate and apply theories inequality.

An understanding of methods employed by sociologists to collect their data and construct their theories about society will form the basis of Units 3 and 4. During these units students will become familiar with the theory and practical application of research methods and participate in their own sociological research project. Topic areas and ethical considerations will be debated. Contemporary issues surrounding social change and inequality will form the core of the research project. Students have a broad social arena to choose from, ranging from investigations into 'classical' inequalities in education; are girls doing better than boys? to contemporary investigations into the 'post-modern' concerns of identity and cyberspace. Is your Face Book profile a true representation of yourself?

Course fee: £1050 tuition fee + £125 registration fee

Please contact the Advice Shop for details of costs and start dates.

Please note that although the information given is believed to be correct at the time of publication, course information, costs where applicable and attendance details may change.

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