Ballard, C. et al (eds) (1997) The Students Companion to Sociology, Oxford Blakewell.
Barrat, D. & Cole, T. [1991] Sociology Projects: a students guide, London: Routledge.
Bryman, A. [2001] Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press.
Cottrell, S. [2nd ed. 2003] The Study Skills Handbook, Basingstone, Palgrave.
Cottrell, S. [2003] Skills for Success, Basingstone, Palgrave.
Gatley, D.A. and Ell, P.S. [2000] Counting Heads, York Statistics for Education.
Northedge, A. [1994] The Good Study Guide, Milton Keynes Open University Press, 0749200442
Solomon, R. & Winch, C. [1994] Calculating and Computing for Social Science and Arts Students,
Milton Keynes Open University Press.

A portfolio of work, equivalant to 2000 words in length marked in two stages.
The portfolio to consist of materials generated from various independent study tasks set to students on a week-by-week basis.

The module will be taught through (a) ten one-hour lectures (10 hours) (b) ten one-hour workshops (10 hours) and (c) independent study guided by
structured learning materials and activities (130 hours).
Lectures will introduce students to particular independent learning skill. Workshops will include a series of practical exercises designed to allow students to practise, develop and demonstrate their research skills, and will also provide a means for preparing students for their assessment and identifying and supporting weaknesses in student learning through one-to-one tutor intervention. Students are expected to practise their independent learning skills throughout the module by focusing on a particular substantive topic as a member of a work/research group.

This module introduces students to a range of independent learning skills required to pursue the undergraduate course in Sociology,
Crime, Deviance & Society, Social Minorities and the Social Sciences generally.Topics covered include:-
- using computers and the Internet as a research and learning tool.
- undertaking secondary research.
- social difference and social division(e.g. gender, social class and ethnicity).
- manipulating and interpreting data.
- writing skills for essays including bibliographic skills.
- undertaking presentations.
- the role and value of Community & Work Based forms of Learning (CWBL) in the degree.
- the relationship between academic and employment skills.
- how to write a CV and maintain a personal development portfolio.
- the nature of the graduate labour market.

Computers with Microsoft Office and Accessibility Software
OHP and audio-visual aids.
Tape recorders
Technical support.