DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ( SOCIOLOGY)

Programme
Degree Type
Doctor of Philosophy
Modes of Study
Regular
Programme Duration
3 years (Standard Entry)
Thursday, April 22, 2021 - 15:39

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the programme is to produce graduates with critical and analytical skills in Sociology to meet the related educational, academic, and other resource needs of the country.


The specific objectives are:

  • Enhance the knowledge of students in specific thematic areas of Sociology.

  • Develop critical and problem-solving competencies of students in Sociology.

  • Strengthen the capacity of students to undertake research in Sociology

  • Build the capacity of students to formulate national policies for socio-economic development.

Admission/Entry Requirements

Applicants into the M. Phil programme must have acquired a BA degree in the Social Sciences with Sociology as a subject and or related fields such as Social Work and Anthropology from accredited institutions. They should also fulfil the University’s general requirements for graduate studies.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Course Requirements

    Students are required to take a minimum of 2 courses and obtain a minimum grade of “C” in all courses. In situations where the student has no background in Sociology, he/she will take courses based on the recommendation of the Department’s Graduate Committee.
     
  2. Credits Requirements

    Students are expected to have a minimum of 6 credit hours at the end of the programme.
     
  3. Additional Requirements for Graduation

    Students are expected to attend lectures regularly and actively participate in class. In addition, students are expected to submit and defend a maximum of 300-pages thesis.

Assessment Regulations

  • Students’ performance and achievement
     

    End of Semester Examination

    60

    Assignment/Class exercises and quizzes

    40

    Total

    100

     
  • Mode of certification

    The certification is done after students have obtained a minimum CGPA of 2.5 and have successfully submitted and defended the PhD Thesis

    The numerical values attached to the grades are provided in the table as follows:
     

    Raw Score

    Grade

    Credit Value

    Interpretation

    80-100

    A

    4.0

    Excellent

    75-79

    B+

    3.5

    Very Good

    70-74

    B

    3.0

    Good

    65-69

    C+

    2.5

    Very Satisfactory

    60-64

    C

    2.0

    Satisfactory

    Below 60

    E

    1.5

    Fail
     
Last modified
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 - 16:04

Programme Structure

Level 900

First Semester

SOC 901 Philosophy in Social Sciences
3 Credit(s)

Objective

The course enhances the knowledge of students in philosophical thoughts and reasoning skills in social science research and practice.

Content

The focus of the course is the various philosophical points of view about knowledge, sources of knowledge, and schools of thought which have influenced social science research.  Emphasis is on Western thought which has shaped current approaches to research philosophy. In addition, attention is given to perspectives from Asia and Africa and post-modernism as well as the new waves of thought in social science research.

Mode of Delivery

The course is delivered through assigned readings, individual and group assignments, and class presentations.

Readings Materials

Appiah, A. K. (1993). In my father’s house. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Appiah, A. K. (2003). Thinking it through: An introduction to contemporary philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cahn, S. M. (Ed.). (1977). Classics of western philosophy. Cambridge: Hackett.

Gyekye, K. (1995). An essay on African philosophical thought: The Akan conceptual scheme. Temple: Temple University Press.

Gyekye, K. (2003). Beyond cultures - Perceiving a common humanity: Ghana Philosophical Studies III. Washington: Council for Research in Values and Philosophy.

Palmer, D. (1996). Does the center hold? An introduction to western philosophy. Mountain View: Mayfield.

SOC 901 Philosophy in Social Sciences (Faculty-based)
3 Credit(s)

Objective


The course enhances the knowledge of students in philosophical thoughts and reasoning skills in social science research and practice.

Content

The focus of the course is the various philosophical points of view about knowledge, sources of knowledge and schools of thought which have influenced social science research. Emphasis is on Western thought which has shaped current approaches to research philosophy. In addition, attention is given to perspectives from Asia and Africa and post-modernism as well as the new waves of thought in social science research.


Mode of Delivery


The course is delivered through assigned readings, individual and group assignments and class presentations.


Readings Materials


Appiah, A. K. (1993). In my father’s house. Oxford: Oxford University Press.


Appiah, A. K. (2003). Thinking it through: An introduction to contemporary philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.


Cahn, S. M. (Ed.). (1977). Classics of western philosophy. Cambridge: Hackett.

Gyekye, K. (1995). An essay on African philosophical thought: The Akan conceptual scheme. Temple: Temple University Press.

Gyekye, K. (2003). Beyond cultures - Perceiving common humanity: Ghana Philosophical Studies III. Washington: Council for Research in Values and Philosophy.


Palmer, D. (1996). Does the center hold? An introduction to western philosophy. Mountain View: Mayfield.

Second Semester

SOC 902 Theory Building in Social Sciences
3 Credit(s)

Objective

The course enhances the capacity of students to apply theories in social science research.

Content

This course explores the role of theory building and methodology in the social sciences. The philosophy of social sciences and the sociology of knowledge and science is used to understand the scientific dynamics entailed in the approach of social scientific studies. In the main, theory-building or construction, methodology, and research designs are explored in the context of contemporary issues confronting social scientists.  Theory building or construction in the social sciences is not devoid of challenges. These challenges are thoroughly discussed and feasible ways of dealing with them identified to assist graduate students in the social sciences in utilizing appropriate theories and conceptual frameworks in informing their studies.

Mode of Delivery

The course takes the form of lectures and in-class group discussions.

Reading Materials

Babbie, E. R. (2010). The basics of social research. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing.

Blaikie, N. (2009). Designing social research. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Brym, R. J. (2008). Sociology as a life or death issue. Toronto, Canada: Pearson.

Coser, L. A. (2007). Masters of sociological thought: Ideas in historical and social context. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Giddens, A. (2006). Sociology. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Massey, G. (2012). Readings for sociology. New York: W. W. Norton and Company.

SOC 902 Theory Building in Social Sciences (Faculty-based)
3 Credit(s)

Objective


The course enhances the capacity of students to apply theories in social science research.

Content

This course explores the role of theory building and methodology in the social sciences. The philosophy of social sciences and the sociology of knowledge and science is used to understand the scientific dynamics entailed in the approach of social scientific studies. In the main, theory-building or construction, methodology, and research designs are explored in the context of contemporary issues confronting social scientists. Theory building or construction in the social sciences is not devoid of challenges. These challenges are thoroughly discussed and feasible ways of dealing with them identified to assist graduate students in the social sciences in utilizing appropriate theories and conceptual frameworks in informing their studies.

Mode of Delivery

The course takes the form of lectures and in-class group discussions.

Reading Materials

Babbie, E. R. (2010). The basics of social research. Belmont: Wadsworth

Publishing.

Blaikie, N. (2009). Designing social research. Cambridge: Polity Press.


Brym, R. J. (2008). Sociology as a life or death issue. Toronto, Canada: Pearson.

Coser, L. A. (2007). Masters of sociological thought: Ideas in a historical and social context. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Giddens, A. (2006). Sociology. Cambridge: Polity Press.


Massey, G. (2012). Readings for sociology. New York: W. W. Norton and Company.

Level 950

First Semester

SOC 999 Thesis
3 Credit(s)

Students will present a thesis in their areas of research interest. The condition as set out in the Academic Policies and Regulations for Graduate Studies apply.