Module SOCI1271: SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES I

Department: APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES (SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL POLICY)

SOCI1271: SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES I

Prerequisites

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

Corequisites

• Professional Studies I (SOCI1261), Practice Theories and Skills I (SOCI1281), Management and Fieldwork Studies I (SOCI1291), Fieldwork Practice I (SOCI1301).

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide a foundation in the two major disciplines of Sociology and Psychology and to enhance students' knowledge of developments in the social sciences relevant to community and youth work.
• The module will focus on examples from community and youth work to promote and develop a basic understanding of the theoretical approaches which underpin the developments in these disciplines.

Content

• SOCIAL STUDIES: This section of the module covers historical and structural explanations of social and economic developments since 1945.
• PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES: This section includes the history and relevance of psychology in the study of human development.
• It develops a clear understanding of how humans develop over time, the significance of early experiences and the strengths and weaknesses of the nature/nurture debate.

Learning Outcomes

• SOCIAL STUDIES:
• a sound understanding of key concepts and ideas in the disciplines of sociology;
• knowledge and understanding of the structures and processes of inequality in society with particular reference to social class, race, gender, disability and age.
• PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES:
• a sound understanding of key concepts and ideas of identity and development in psychology;
• an understanding of the complexity of human agency and interaction and the implications for professional application at the individual and interpersonal levels.

• SOCIAL STUDIES:
• the ability to evaluate and critically assess theoretical perspectives and explanations of social structure and social change;
• the ability to draw upon a range of sociological concepts when making judgements about the context within which community and youth work takes place.
• PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES:
• the ability to evaluate and critically assess theoretical perspectives and explanations of human development and behaviour;
• the ability to draw upon a range of psychological concepts when making judgements about the context within which community and youth work takes place.

• a range of communication skills: the ability to: evaluate and synthesise information obtained from a variety of sources; communicate relevant information in different ways;
• competence in the use of IT resources including the ability to: word-process; monitor and reflect on the use of IT skills;
• a capacity to improve own learning and performance, including ability to: manage time effectively; work to prescribed deadlines; engage in different ways of learning including both independent and directed forms of learning; 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

• SOCIAL STUDIES:
• Structured lectures will be used to introduce topics, however, there will be an emphasis on student-centred learning. Students will be encouraged, individually and in groups, to research topics of interest and share them within the larger group. Group discussions, seminars, case studies and exercises will be used throughout the module.
• PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES:
• Suggested reading in preparation for each session will be available, in advance, on DUO. Students will be assigned groups and these groups will carry out set exercises, which are designed to facilitate understanding of the subject matter and illustrate the intended learning outcomes. Active participation between individuals, the work groups and the lecturer will create the learning environment. Group discussions, case studies and exercises will be used throughout the teaching.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

2 seminar presentations

■ 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