Module SOCI44215: Placement

Department: Sociology

SOCI44215: Placement

Prerequisites

• All students must provide evidence of a successful DBS check (or equivalent) before they are permitted to begin their placement.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This module aims to enable students to engage in advanced application of sociological and/or criminological understandings within the context of a specific organisation. In doing so, the module will enable advanced reflection by the student on how theory, evidence, policy and practice may relate together within specific public/applied settings, and how leaders can use these understandings to develop organisational practice and inform policy engagement within those settings.

Content

• Taught content to prepare students for engaging in an organisational context, including critical consideration of:
• Different issues and constraints facing organisations in particular contexts;
• Different ways to understand the theory, evidence, policy and practice relationship in particular organisational contexts;
• A range of barriers which limit the effectiveness of these relationships.
• Substantial engagement with a specific organisational context agreed with the module convenor, to explore how sociological and/or criminological understandings may make a difference within that context.
• Comparative frameworks for reflection that support the development of both self-understanding and sharing of learning between different organisational contexts.

Learning Outcomes

• Different models of change within particular organisational and policy contexts.
• Advanced understanding of the relationship between sociological and/or criminological theory, evidence, policy and practice.
• An applied knowledge and understanding of key theories and evidence relevant to the particular organisational setting in which the student has engaged.

• Ability to engage with an agency that is engaging with issues appropriate to consideration using public/applied sociological and/or criminological theory and evidence.
• Ability to reflect on and critically analyse (at an advanced level) an aspect of an agency’s existing practice engagement with a social issue using sociological and/or criminological theory and evidence.
• Ability to apply this wider theory and evidence to consider implications and possible recommendations for further developing the agency’s practice and policy engagement.
• Ability to critically compare and contrast different examples of approaches within specific organisations to making connections between theory, evidence, policy and practice, and reflect on their effectiveness.

• Advanced levels of written communication skills commensurate with a Masters degree module.
• Ability to reflect on qualities and skills required for supporting change within particular contexts, and the student’s strengths and areas for further development to achieve these.
• Ability to negotiate working patterns and outcomes to complete the learning requirements of the module within the time available.

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

• The formative in-class presentation will prepare students for their placements. Students will be required to do some independent research on their placement and prepare a 5 minute presentation that outlines the organisation; the policy context relevant to the organisation; reflecting some hopes and fears ahead of starting the placement.
• The 3000-word summative portfolio invites students to reflect on their placement learning at the end of the module; specifically, students will be asked to reflect on relevant policy, practice and theoretical debates relevant to their placement. Further, students will be asked to reflect on the various ways in which their wider learning on their programme of study relates to the work of their placement within its broader social and political context, and ways in which their sociological and/or criminological learning might make a difference within that context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Initial student self-reflection on their previous experience, and fit with the agency, including what they might contribute as part of their placement and desired learning goals. Students will be asked to present this orally to the class and to discuss in small groups.

■ 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