Bachelor of Arts (BA) Sociology
Students’ Performance in Course Assessments in relation to USP Graduate Outcomes and Programme Graduate Outcomes
The Programme Graduate Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Sociology are as follows:
On successful completion of this programme, graduates should be able to:
- Critically analyse social behaviour, practices and issues of relevance to Pacific Island societies and cultures by applying the basic principles of sociological thinking, theories and concepts (Social Analysis);
- Design social research, supported by relevant methods and methodologies that are informed by ethical and reflexive considerations, to analyse social issues, practices and policies (Social Research);
- Recognise and critically examine the structures, processes and dynamics of inequalities at local, regional and global levels (Critical Scholarship).
The Sociology major consists of two compulsory courses at the third year of the programme that provided students with the capstone learning experiences. Analysis of student performance in direct assessments for these courses provides an indication of student achievement in relation to Programme Graduate Outcomes and USP Graduate Outcomes. Final scores are aggregated from all assessments in each course and averaged. To determine the levels of achievement (‘exceptional’, ‘proficient’, ‘emerging’ and ‘unacceptable’), the USP grading scale was used whereby ‘exceptional’ was interpreted as equivalent to A+ (85-100%) and A (78-84%) grade ranges, ‘proficient’ B+ (71-77%)/B (64-70%), ‘emerging’ C+(57-63%)/C (50-56%), and ‘unacceptable’ D (40-49%)/E (0-39)/non-submission. The alignment of student aggregate scores with USP Graduate Outcomes and Programme Graduate Outcomes for SO303 and SO300 is represented graphically below. A sample assessment and rubric for SO300 is included 
here to indicate the close relationship between assessment requirements and Programme and USP Graduate Outcomes.
SO303: Advanced Social Theory (compulsory course)
SO300: Research Methods in Sociology (to be made compulsory from 2018)
Student Success Indicators of BA Sociology
Table 1: BA Sociology Pass Rates by Course Level
|
Course Level |
2013 Pass Rate |
2014 Pass Rate |
2015 Pass Rate |
2016 Pass Rate |
|
Degree 100 level |
72.80% |
78.90% |
82.60% |
78.70% |
|
Degree 200 level |
78.90% |
81.00% |
84.50% |
77.40% |
|
Degree 300 level |
90.20% |
84.60% |
92.60% |
86.00% |
Table 2: BA Sociology First Year Retention Rates
|
Description |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Retention Programme & Major |
54% |
68% |
65% |
51% |
65% |
72% |
64% |
66% |
70% |
68% |
Table 3: BA Sociology Completion Rates
|
Completion Rates |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
3-year Completion Rate |
12% |
14% |
3% |
8% |
16% |
20% |
11% |
|
6-year Completion Rate |
27% |
32% |
17% |
16% |
34% |
23% |
18% |