Course Catalogue

The main educational aims of the programme are to: • Emphasise the causes and consequences of human actions and contextualise these to a range of social and health issues, related social and welfare policies and the operation of relevant societal institutions • Provide a supportive and collaborative learning environment which is sensitive to the needs of both part-time and full-time learners • Develop relevant transferable skills such as critical enquiry, argument and analysis, and capacity for independent learning • Develop proactive and flexible graduates who can respond to rapidly changing environments thereby enhancing their employment prospects

The acquisition of knowledge and understanding is promoted through a variety of methods including lectures, seminars, group work, group tutorials, project work and independent self-directed study and research. Lectures present relevant subject information in a structured manner in order to outline key themes, issues and debates and thus provide students with the underpinning knowledge from which to conduct further self-directed learning. Seminars, group work and group tutorials offer more potential for a purposely student led interactive forum for knowledge sharing and acquisition. Individual tutorials facilitate student learning by addressing specific knowledge and understanding needs on an individual basis and remains an integral aspect of the relationship between staff and student in respect to independent project and dissertation supervision. Constructive feedback on both coursework and examinations also enhances students’ intellectual development by confirming areas of intellectual acumen and outlining scope for further development. Relevant numerical and statistical skills are taught in the programme and students use these in certain modules such as in Research Methods, although students may wish to include such material in other areas of the course - such as their dissertation for instance. The college uses a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and each programme has a separate area on the VLE and each module has a folder on the VLE which contains class resources. Throughout the learner is encouraged to undertake independent reading and research using both printed and electronic material to complement, widen, deepen and consolidate their knowledge and understanding. Students are assessed via both oral and written coursework (such as essays, projects, seminars, poster presentations, portfolio and dissertation) and examinations [both seen and unseen]),of 2 hours duration in some modules.

Work-related learning is included within this programme, so students will have the opportunity to engage in real world projects and activities. The programme has active links with industry and involves employers in the industrial projects, utilising real world case studies wherever possible. As this is a part time programme, students will be able to apply knowledge attained in their employment to their academic studies.