Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
SP30008 Social policy dissertation 1 |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: CW100 |
| Requisites: |
| After taking this unit you must take SP30009 |
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This unit is only available to students on the BSc Social Policy programme.
Aims: The aims of the unit are:
i.To design and conduct a research project on an approved social policy topic. ii. To gain experience of undertaking primary research in social policy. iii. To develop a critical awareness of methodological issues in applied social research. 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 original research on a topic of the students' choosing. Skills: Intellectual skills: * Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of sociology relevant to the student becoming an effective practitioner; * Knowledge of the theoretical basis of sociological perspectives; * Knowledge of theories of welfare state development; * Knowledge of the main sources of data about social welfare and a critical approach to their use; * Knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theoretical basis of sociology; * Knowledge of the historical and contemporary perspective of sociology; * Understanding of how to apply knowledge and concepts from across various social sciences disciplines; * Knowledge of the main sources of data about social issues and a critical approach to their use. * Knowledge of issues of human needs and social welfare - poverty, inequality, exclusion, diversity and differences; * Knowledge of the historical and contemporary perspective of sociology; * Knowledge of key theories and developments in at least two of sociology, social policy, politics, economics, psychology. 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 choose a specific research topic and design a research project. Students will undertake fieldwork research on their chosen topic. |