SS4007 - Social Problems and Social Issues (2018/19)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2018/19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Social Problems and Social Issues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2018/19(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
Analyse the social construction of a social problem
- Collate information on the location and scale of a social problem
- Reflect upon sociological interpretations of a particular social problem
- Outline policy responses to a particular social problem
Syllabus
Week 1-3: Introduction to social problems; competing explainations; common sense & social problems; the social construction of social problems LO1
Week 4-5: Study Skills
Weeks 6-10: Migration; asylum seekers; multiculturalism and anti-racism LO2
Weeks 11/12: Study Skills
Weeks 13-17: Work: Unemployment;The Future Labour Market LO2
Weeks 18/19: Study Skills
Weeks 20-25: Social Exclusion, Poverty, Childhood Poverty, Homelessness, Poor Neighbourhoods LO3
Weeks 26/27: Study Skills
Weeks 28-30: Ideologies & social problems; revisting the construction of social problems; the institutionalisation of discourses, power & social problem LO4
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The teaching and learning strategies are situated around the acquisition by students of analytical tools that can help them unpack social problems in the context of policy responses. To do this teaching takes places along the lines of examining and evaluating social problems in terms of relevant modes of explanation, research and policy analysis. The module is delivered using a strategy of blended learning i.e. a mixture of traditional and online methods are used. Basic content is typically delivered via lectures, but students are expected to read relevant material before and/or after the lecture which is available via Weblearn.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1 Identify areas and themes around the general terrain of social problems using appropriate sociological perspectives.
2 Use theoretical and empirical knowledge, in an appropriate way for analysis of the social problems that have been studied.
3 Discuss the key social problems associated with the restructuring of contemporary society
4 Discuss the policy implications of differing definitions and perspectives concerning social problems
Assessment strategy
1. Short answer questions (500 words), due in Week 8
2. Literature review (1500 words), due Week 21
3. Analysis of a social problem (2000 words), due in Week 28
Bibliography
Identify core and additional reading
Core reading
Geddes, A. (2003) Politics of Migration...In Europe, London: Sage.
George, V. (2002) Globalization & Human Welfare, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
May, M., Page, R. & Brunsdon, E. (Eds) (2001) Understanding Social Problems: Issues in Social Policy, Oxford: Blackwell.
Modood, T. (2005) Multicultural Politics: Racism, Ethnicity and Muslims in Britain, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Pilkington, A. (2003) Racial Disadvantage & Ethnic Diversity in Britain, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Additional reading
Reich, R. (2001) The Future of Success: Work and Life in the New Economy, London: Heinemann.
Ward, I. (2006) Shabina Begum and the Headscarf Girls, IN Journal of gender studies., 15(2), 119-131.