An essay of 2000 words which will assess all the learning outcomes (100%)

This module explores the social and social policy dimensions of some common problems that are characteristically presented to advice agencies. It will encourage students to reflect upon the experiences of users of advice services, gain an understanding of the social origins and construction of problems, and evaluate social policy initiatives aimed at dealing with problems. In particular, students will gain an awareness of the experiences of specific communities and groups of people, and gain an appreciation of the role of advice agencies in identifying social policy issues and bringing them to the attention of local and national government.

Key themes explored include:

Housing and homelessness; poverty and debt; ethnic relations; family formations and problems; old people; youth; women; disability.

You will need access to one of the following texts:

Abercrombie, N (2002) Contemporary British Society, 3rd edition, Polity Press, Oxford
Blakemore, K (2003) Social Policy: an Introduction, 2nd edition, open University Press, Milton Keynes

Module Handbook
Access to appropriate texts
Computing facilities will be needed to access material on the web, specialist on-line data bases and blackboard

Whole group sessions (11x1hr=11hours)

These will focus on the key themes of the module. Students will be encouraged to participate actively in the sessions by joining in whole group discussions and exercises. Video presentation may also be part of the learning strategies.

Small group sessions (11x1hr=11hours)

Students will meet for seminar discussions based on the theme of the whole group session. The discussion will encourage students to explore and develop their understanding of the key themes of the module.

Independent study (128hours)

Students will be expected to prepare for the whole group session and the seminars by undertaking guided reading and completing allocated tasks. Students will also be expected to research their chosen assignment topic by using recommended texts and other relevant materials.


Intellectual skills will be encouraged by interactive whole group and small group sessions where key issues will be explored and debated, to ensure students have a firm grasp of the main themes of the module. Guided reading will help to consolidate students? learning and understanding. These skills will be formally assessed in the assignment.

Communication skills will be developed orally by the expectation that students will participate in whole group and small group discussions and exercises, and also in written form by the assessment assignment where students will be expected to be able to communicate ideas and arguments effectively in writing using appropriate conventions.