Download Single Honours Applied Social Science

Module Title: What is Applied Social Science? Methods and Approaches
Module Code: SSU401
Module Summary:
This module seeks to define the content and aims of the applied social science degree. It introduces
students to fundamental concepts: science as philosophy and method, the role of theory and
evidence in the social sciences and the applications of social scientific knowledge in policy and
practice. By addressing philosophical and methodological questions which are common to different
social scientific disciplines and approaches, it provides students with the tools to begin to critically
assess the knowledge claims, policies and practices which draw on social scientific ways of thinking,
as well as preparing students to make their own informed choices in research and implementation.
Contact Hours:
Scheduled: 36
Independent: 164
Placement: 0
Total: 200
Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims to:
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Give students an awareness of the distinctive methods of collecting information which
characterise the social sciences.
Encourage students to engage with epistemological debates about the status of different
kinds of knowledge.
Introduce students to the range of approaches to analysing, understanding and applying
social scientific knowledge in different disciplines.
Promote critical engagement with applications of social scientific knowledge in business,
policy and professional practice.
Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:
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Explore the role of social scientific knowledge in the development of their worldviews, life
experiences and employment histories.
Develop their understanding of the development of social scientific thinking and practice.
Compare the role of different social scientific research methods in different disciplines and
professional applications.
Apply their philosophical and practical understanding of social scientific methods and
approaches to real-life case studies.
Method of Assessment:
Component 1: 50% Reflective Essay (1500 – 2000 words) Applying the theories from the module
to a personal critical incident
Component 2: 50% Write a response to a given case study (2000 words)
Module Title: Values, Ethics and Judgement
Module Code: SSU402
Module Summary:
This module seeks to explore issues of values, ethics and judgement. Beginning with an examination
of different philosophical perspectives, this module will enable students to reflect upon the way in
which individual and collective values are produced and reproduced within society. It will introduce
students to the notion of contested values and the complexity of ethical decisions. Students will then
explore the way in which such values and ethics inform and influence the judgments that we make.
Contact Hours:
Scheduled: 36
Independent: 164
Placement: 0
Total: 200
Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims to:
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Provide an introduction to the way in which different philosophical positions inform ethical
thinking (e.g. Utilitarianism Vs Kantianism)
Explore the complexity of personal and professional values, and how these inform ethical
decision making
Explore the intersections between individual values and institutional values
Examine the link between values, ethics and the way in which this informs policy and
practice
Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:
 Articulate the relationship between values, ethics and judgement
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Understand the complexity of personal and professional values in influencing how we
approach practice
Reflect upon their own values and how these influence the choices that they make
Work collaboratively with colleagues in exploring the ways in which values and ethics
influence policy and practice
Method of Assessment:
Component 1: 100% 20 minute group presentation, exploring the way in which values and ethics
influence policy and practice.
Module Title: Government and Politics
Module Code: SSU403
Module Summary:
Governments and politics form a crucial backdrop to all practical applications of social scientific ideas.
This module will introduce students to the key institutions and processes which make up the British
political system, and will explore how these are related to individual lives, international systems and
social scientific ideas. It will draw on sociology, economics, political philosophy and international
relations theory in surveying topics including democracy and elections, theories of the state, political
parties, trade unions, markets, civil society, social movements and transnational institutions.
Contact Hours:
Scheduled: 36
Independent: 164
Placement: 0
Total: 200
Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims to:
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Introduce students to the basic political frameworks which govern life in the UK
Compare British systems with those in other countries, with historical examples and with
international institutions
Outline the rudiments of political philosophy
Reflect on the ways in which political philosophies are enacted and applied in real-world
contexts
Familiarise students with the ways in which political philosophies and governmental practices
affect individual lives and professional fields
Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:
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Explore the ways in which government and politics touch on their own lives and the lives of
those around them.
To study in detail how specific political institutions operate and relate to one-another
To demonstrate a critical awareness of how political processes apply to individual lives and
collective endeavours.
Method of Assessment:
Component 1: 40% Poster (Group Work) 1500 word equivalent
A flow-chart showing the structure of a particular political institution and mapping its relations with
other institutions
Component 2: 60% Essay (Individual) 2000 words
An essay exploring in detail the relationship between any two political institutions.
Module Title: Foundations of Psychology
Module Code: PYU404
Module Summary:
This module provides students with a broad introduction to the history of psychology as a scientific
discipline. A number of different psychological perspectives will be introduced, for example,
psychobiological, cognitive, behaviourist, psychodynamic, social constructionist, and students will
be expected to apply and evaluate the application of such perspectives to important contemporary
issues, such as drug addiction, violent behaviour, mental illness, etc. Research skills will be
developed through the use of online databases and other library resources. Students will receive
basic training in using Powerpoint to produce presentations, and in using the Library-based
information resources.
Contact Hours:
Scheduled: 36
Independent: 164
Placement: 0
Total Hours: 200
Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims to:
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Provide a broad introduction to psychology as a scientific discipline
Consider the historical origins of modern psychology
Introduce the student to a number of theoretical approaches
Illustrate how different approaches can be used to explain the same behaviour
Explore key issues and debates within psychology
Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:
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Describe the important antecedents contributing to the development of contemporary
psychology
Apply psychological theories and evaluate research findings in applied contexts
Evaluate different psychological perspectives for an applied problem
Method of Assessment:
Component 1: 50% Students are required to produce a brief lecture evaluating a contemporary
applied issue (e.g., drug use) from multiple psychological perspectives, utilising Powerpoint slides,
accompanied by a written narration. (15 minutes).
Component 2: 50% Examination (2 hours)
Module Title: The Sociological Imagination
Module Code: WWU404
Module Summary:
Sociological concepts underpin our understandings of society, communities and families. This
module will explore the sociological imagination by applying key theories to examples in
contemporary society. The module will include examinations classical sociological theorists
including Marx, Durkheim and Weber as well as more contemporary sociology including Critical
Race Theory, Feminist Perspectives and Postmodern approaches. The module will also consider
the role of the media and discourse in shaping understandings and also critiques of the
sociological canon as gendered and Eurocentric.
Contact Hours:
Scheduled: 36
Independent: 164
Placement: 0
Total: 200
Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims to:
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Explore and critique key theoretical concepts in sociology.
Apply sociological concepts to understanding society
Engage in a critical analysis of constructions of the family and community in relation to
sociological concepts
Examine the role the media and discourse have in shaping understandings of society.
Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:
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Critical examine sociological theory using contemporary examples.
Critically evaluate the role of the media and discourse in influencing concepts of society.
Critique the sociological canon.
Sociologically critique conceptions of the family and community.
Method of Assessment:
Component 1: 40% Group presentation (15 minutes)
Component 2: 60% Essay (2000 words)
Module Title: An Introduction to Social Policy
Module Code: WWU405
Module Summary:
This module will examine some of the over-arching social policy issues that shape the working
agenda around children, young people and families. To do this it will be structured around the key
issues identified by William Beveridge as the ‘giants’ of social policy – education, poverty, housing,
health (including safeguarding and protection of the vulnerable) and work. These topics will be
analysed in the context of the challenges that face professionals working within the current model of
the welfare state.
Contact Hours:
Scheduled:
Independent:
Placement:
Total hours:
36
164
0
200
Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims:
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To (begin to) equip students with skills to analyse policy
To provide students with a clear understanding of the origins of the welfare state
To allow students to examine the impact of poverty and deprivation on CYPF
To explore the way key services are structured and delivered
To examine the direction of travel in which the welfare state is being taken and to look at
alternative models of welfare delivery
Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:
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Develop a better understanding of the role of social policy as a discipline
Understand the historical backdrop to the development of the welfare state
Understand how key areas of social policy are determined by their relationship to the
welfare state
Be able to focus on specific arenas of policy development and delivery – e.g. education,
health or housing
Begin to analyse the impact of the wider social policy environment on the design and
delivery of services to CYPF
Be steered towards key thinkers and writers in this field
Method of Assessment:
Component 1: 30% Students will develop a timeline, identifying the key events in a specific aspect
of social policy (1,500 words).
Component 2: 70% To write an essay on a specific aspect of the social policy agenda
demonstrating an understanding of how this particular area of policy has developed and its
relevance to current practice in the field of WCYPF (2,500 words).
Module Title: Introduction to Work Related Learning
Module Code: PLU404
Module Summary:
This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and self-management skills to make informed
choices in preparing for work placement and the transition to employment or further study on
graduation.
Learners will be provided with the opportunities to develop awareness of the workplace, identify
different career and study options, recognise and articulate their own experience, accomplishments
and talents and plan and implement career management strategies for the short and long term.
Contact Hours:
Scheduled:
Independent:
Placement:
Total:
12
88
0
100
Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims to:
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Support students in developing informed choices about the career pathways available to
them, in relation to their subject choices.
Prepare students for work-based learning and the application / exploration of subject
knowledge in the workplace.
Encourage students to make connections between their learning, placement choice, future
job aspirations and contribution to society.
Enable students to build confidence in securing work placements and future employment.
Support students in reflecting upon their preparation for their work placement and future
employment.
Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have had the opportunity to:
1. Examine how their experiences, accomplishments, and abilities relate to employer
expectations.
2. Demonstrate engagement with, and an understanding of, graduate employment pathways
and employability issues relating to their own career aspirations.
3. Research organisations for the purposes of securing a work placement.
4. Reflect upon their learning and development.
Method of Assessment:
Component 1: 100% Work Placement e-portfolio (1500 word equivalent)