|
 Academic Year:
| 2013/4 |
| Owning Department/School:
| Department of Social & Policy Sciences |
| Credits:
| 12 |
| Level:
| Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| DS 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: |
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take SP30008 This unit is not available to visiting/exchange students. |
| Description:
| Aims: The aims of the unit are: a) To develop the student's knowledge and understanding of social policy, as set out in the learning outcomes listed below; b) To develop the general critical and analytical powers of the student; c) To develop research skills, with particular reference to those skills relating to investigation and analysis. Students will design and carry out either a fieldwork based piece of research or a library-based piece of research on a social policy topic of their choosing. The dissertation will be carried out under supervision. Further details are provided in the Dissertation Handbook. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit the students should be able to: * conceptualise, design, conduct and write a 10,000 word piece of research on a social policy topic of the students' choosing; * conduct a thorough literature review in the area of research chosen; * display critical and broad knowledge of research on the chosen topic; * identify clear research aims; * produce and apply an appropriate research design; * analyse, synthesise and evaluate sources used in the research; * structure the material into a clear and coherent argument that addresses the aims of the research produce a professional dissertation in the appropriate academic style, systematically organised, well laid out and fully and accurately referenced. Skills: Intellectual skills: Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of * the fundamental concepts of social policy relevant to the student becoming an effective practitioner; * theories of welfare state development; * the main sources of data about social welfare and a critical approach to their use; * how to apply knowledge and concepts from across various social sciences disciplines; * the main sources of data about social issues and a critical approach to their use; * issues of human needs and social welfare - poverty, inequality, exclusion, diversity and differences; * key concepts, theories and developments in at least two of sociology, social policy, politics, economics, psychology; * methodological principles and research design. Transferable/Key skills: * To develop critical and analytical powers in general * To develop research skills with particular reference to those skills relating to investigation and analysis. * To think creatively and analytically. * To communicate an argument. * To evaluate others' arguments and research. * To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information. * To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.). * To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge. * To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding. * To utilise problem solving skills. * To reflect upon new technology and innovation within social sciences and to make decisions regarding legitimacy, reliability and effectiveness. * Study & Learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing) * Basic Information and Computing Technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information) * Inter-personal and communication skills * Essay research, preparation and writing skills * To construct a bibliography of varying complexity. Content: Students will complete their research (started in Semester 1) . Students will write up their research projects in the form of a 10,000 word dissertation. |
| Programme availability: |
SP30009 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
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