2026/27 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP0155 Approaching the Social Sciences

20 Credits Class Size: 70

Module manager: Dr Shaheen Kattiparambil
Email: S.Kattiparambil@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

Module replaces

SLSP0140 Researching and Studying the social Sciences

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is designed to introduce students to the study skills required to succeed at university. The module is intended to encourage students to understand the purpose of study skills and to apply, practice and develop these skills on an ongoing basis. It utilises a subject/topic based approach to explore different aspects of the essay writing process in a sequential fashion.

Objectives

This module aims to equip students with the study skills and academic literacy required for academic success at university. Specifically it aims to:

-Introduce students to the library and the importance of literature for academic study

-Equip students with the skills necessary to read, summarise and organise literature

-Promote critical thinking as key to academic success

-Plan, draft and write essays of university standard

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

- Demonstrate ability to think critically about social scientific topics.

- Conduct literature search and identify relevant and appropriate social scientific information.

- Demonstrate basic academic writing skills.

- Cite and reference different types of sources using Leeds Harvard format.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:



- Communicate information and technical concepts in written and verbal form.

- Apply critical thinking to a variety of social, political and criminological topics.

- Evidence academic writing abilities through essay submission.

- Accurately deploy academic language in essays and class discussion.

- Reference appropriate source materials using Leeds Harvard referencing system.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Group learning 5 2 10
Seminar 11 2 22
Private study hours 168
Total Contact hours 32
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided for each summative assessment task, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to that task. As part of this, each student will receive feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative task. 

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Assignment Coursework 100
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 28/08/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team