Module SOCI1261: PROFESSIONAL STUDIES I

Department: APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES (SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL POLICY)

SOCI1261: PROFESSIONAL STUDIES I

Prerequisites

• Relevant prior experience in Community and Youth Work or a related field.

Corequisites

• Social and Psychological Studies I (SOCI1217), Practice Theories and Skills I (SOCI1281), Management and Fieldwork Studies I (SOCI1291), Fieldwork Practice I (SOCI1301).

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the occupation of community and youth work, its values, history and current structure and practice.
• To provide the opportunity for students to reflect on and develop their understandings of themselves as professional practitioners.
• To develop skills in giving and receiving professional support and working in committees and work groups.

Content

• This module is the core of the Level 1 teaching and learning in community and youth work.
• It consists of two strands:-
• (1) Lectures/Seminars on the professional practice of community and youth work.
• (2) Individual and Group Tutorials, and 'Forum' meetings focussing on students' personal and professional development.

Learning Outcomes

• understanding of the historical development of the discipline of youth and community work;
• understanding of key theoretical approaches and models of youth work, community work and informal education;
• engagement with current political and professional debates that have implications for youth work and community work;
• understanding of the theory and practice of youth work and community work in a range of different contexts.

• the application of informal educational approaches using a range of appropriate educational tools and techniques;
• the ability to use theoretical and philosophical frameworks in the interpretation of youth work and community work issues.

• a range of communication skills including the ability to: evaluate and synthesise information obtained from a variety of sources;
• competence in the use of IT resources including the ability to: word-process;
• a capacity to improve own learning and performance, including: ability to manage time effectively; work to prescribed deadlines; gather necessary information from a range of bibliographic and electronic sources.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Structured lectures will be used to introduce topics. Students will be encouraged to relate the material to their own experiences via small group discussions, tutorials and exercises.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Completion of recordings relating to Peer Tutor Groups. Completion of 2 self-assessments

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University