Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2017-2018 (archived)

Module SOCI41415: Fieldwork Practice Development 1

Department: Sociology

SOCI41415: Fieldwork Practice Development 1

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2017/18 Module Cap
Tied to L5K007

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • to enable students to examine a range of settings in which community and youth work is practised;
  • to assess the relevance of students' current professional practice to the requirements of such settings;
  • to provide opportunities for the critical examination of personal values, knowledge, experience, skills and professional practice within a supportive framework geared to promoting the professional development of the student;
  • to develop a range of personal and professional knowledge, skills and understanding relevant to the demands of practice (e.g. in self-management, communication, planning and casework, development of anti-oppressive practice);
  • to provide opportunities to plan, implement and evaluate community and youth work interventions;
  • to enable students to: assess the influence of key factors impacting on the work of the agency such as its physical location, the availability of resources, managerial approaches, operational procedures and working practices, and utilise this assessment to inform an evaluation the agency's effectiveness in achieving its objectives;
  • to provide an opportunity for students to assess the relevance of their studies to the development of practice strategies. In particular it will enable theoretical approaches to youth and community work to be operationalised and evaluated.

Content

  • Sufficient opportunities must be provided to enable the student to:
  • (a) plan, implement and evaluate appropriate community and youth work interventions;
  • (b) develop practice competencies;
  • (c) undertake an assessment and evaluation of the agency;
  • (d) examine the application of theory to practice.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the fieldwork practice the student should be able to demonstrate understanding, knowledge and skills in the following seven key areas, demonstrating competence in at least four areas:
  • 1. Building relationships with young people and communities that enable them to explore and make sense of their experiences and plan and take action.
  • 2. Facilitating learning, personal and social development and educational opportunities.
  • 3. Enabling young people and communities to organise and take increasing responsibility for activities, events and projects.
  • 4. Working with young people and communities in accordance with the core values of community and youth work.
  • 5. Planning, managing and developing the work.
  • 6. Supporting and developing effective and ethical practice in community and youth work.
  • 7. Analysis of the agency and its context.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • as above
Key Skills:
  • as above

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

  • Input from fieldwork tutors/qualified mentors, programme tutors and peers; journal of reflective practice; self-assessment against occupational standards and personal development plan; practical exercises including case studies; group discussion; independent reading; assessed pieces of written work.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Fieldwork including practice development activities 1 150
Preparation & Reading 50
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assessment of Competence Component Weighting: 0%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Fieldwork Competency Assessment Must be Passed 0%
Component: Project/Report Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Fieldwork Practice Report 2,000 - 3,000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:


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