Module FSOC40315: Interdisciplinarity Methods for Decision Making

Department: Social Sciences and Health Faculty Hub

FSOC40315: Interdisciplinarity Methods for Decision Making

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module aims to support students in:
• Using interdisciplinary methods to assist real-world decision making
• Working in interdisciplinary teams
• Fostering understandings of the real-world contexts in which research-informed decisions are made
• Exploring epistemic decision-making processes
• Dealing with issues of bias, evidence and complex causality
• Navigating complexity in evaluation
• Communicating evidence

Content

• Introduction and background to interdisciplinary methods for decision-making
• Three thematic sessions: Governance and evaluation of complex policy systems; Risk and uncertainty; and Epistemic decision-making: evidence, causality and bias
• Working in interdisciplinary teams
• Bringing it all together
• At the end of the module students will be able to:
• Understand the application of interdisciplinary methods relative to different forms of decision-making in context of a complex social world.
• Explain the usefulness of different types of evidence and interdisciplinary research in relation to decision-making processes.
• Identify and evaluate a range of research-informed decisions relative to their contexts.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
• Explain the complexities of decision-making employing an interdisciplinary lens/focus.
• Define epistemic decision-making processes.
• Identify approaches to communicating evidence in relation to interdisciplinary decision-making.

• On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
• Show a critical understanding of decision-making and interdisciplinarity
• Engage in reading and debates pertaining to decision-making and interdisciplinary research
• Reflect on how their research interests can benefit from greater understanding of decision-making processes and interdisciplinary research

• Read, think and communicate critically and independently
• Construct reasoned arguments about decision-making employing interdisciplinary research
• Use written and spoken communication skills

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

• The module will be structured around a set of interactive workshops, which will include lecture content, seminar group activities, and self-study time. The seminar components in the workshops will provide spaces for students to test their ideas and receive formative feedback from peers and tutor.
• The summative assignment takes the form of a 2,500 word essay enabling students to think deeply about interdisciplinarity methods and apply these to debates about decision-making.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Seminars will be spaces to test students’ ideas with peers and seminar convenor and will include focus on the communication of research findings and collaborative working.

■ 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