快活影院

Overview

Social problems are inherent facets of human societies, hindering the well-being and harmony of individuals and communities. The challenges that affect our communities include economic inequalities, social integration, environmental issues, socio-economic disparities, lack of educational opportunities, community cohesion, and public services and infrastructure. This module will develop a critical understanding of social problems alongside developing practical solutions and recommendations. The workshop format will discuss social problems and their solutions, utilising participatory classroom based research methods including focus groups and a guided social policy walk to understand local social problems as case studies for advanced intervention strategies. Students will critically evaluate research methodologies and develop recommendations for future community-based research approaches.

Subjects will include, but not limited too: - Overview of social problems - Conducting classroom-based research including focus groups and a social policy walk - Literature searching and critical evaluation of policy interventions - Writing a report to include recommendations for various stakeholders and future research methodologies - Giving a presentation on how to 'solve' a specific social problem

Assessment Strategy

Excellent (A to A-)* 10-minute presentation - Delivers a sophisticated and engaging presentation that demonstrates comprehensive understanding of a local social issue - Provides excellent synthesis of literature review with classroom-based research data to support innovative solutions - Presents clear, evidence-based recommendations with strong justification and professional delivery

4,000 word research report - Provides a comprehensive and well-structured research report with clear, evidence-based policy recommendations - Demonstrates proficient execution of guided research methods with attention to ethical considerations - Presents thorough analysis of qualitative data with clear identification of themes and their connection to policy implications - Offers detailed and well-reasoned suggestions for improving future classroom-based research methodologies

Good (B+ to B-) 10-minute presentation - Delivers a competent presentation showing good understanding of the local social issue - Provides adequate integration of literature and research data to support proposed solutions - Presents relevant recommendations with generally sound justification and clear delivery

4,000 word research report - Provides a competent research report with relevant recommendations that are generally well-supported by evidence - Shows good understanding of research methods with mostly appropriate application - Demonstrates sound analysis of data with adequate identification of key themes and policy connections - Includes some suggestions for future research improvements, though may lack detail

Satisfactory (C+ to C-) 10-minute presentation - Delivers a basic presentation with limited understanding of the local social issue - Shows minimal integration of literature and research data with weak connection to proposed solutions - Presents some recommendations but with limited justification and basic delivery skills

4,000 word research report - Presents a basic research report with some recommendations, though connections between data and conclusions may be limited - Shows satisfactory understanding of research methods with acceptable execution - Provides simple analysis of data with basic identification of themes but limited depth in policy implications - Offers minimal suggestions for future research with little critical evaluation

Threshold (D+ to D-) 10-minute presentation - Delivers a weak presentation with little understanding of the local social issue - Shows poor or no integration of literature and research data with unclear proposed solutions - Presents few or no clear recommendations with inadequate justification and poor delivery

4,000 word research report - Produces a minimal research report with weak or unclear recommendations - Demonstrates limited understanding of research methods with basic execution - Shows elementary analysis of data with superficial identification of themes and minimal policy connections - Provides little to no suggestions for future research methodology improvements

Learning Outcomes

• Able to scrutinise a range and specific policy recommendations for how to deal with social problems and injustices alongside providing own recommendations.

• Can conduct, and critically evaluate small-scale qualitative research using participatory methods (focus groups and/or social policy walks) to investigate community perspectives on social policy issues.

• Can critically evaluate research methodologies and propose improvements for future community-based social policy research.

• Can deliver clear, structured oral presentations that synthesise research findings and policy recommendations for professional audiences.

• Can systematically evaluate a variety and specific 'social problems' through individual and group work - whether it be written or oral communication - demonstrating critical analysis of complex intersecting factors and innovative solution development

• Critically analyse various social problems, demonstrating sophisticated understanding of how these shape lived experiences across different communities.

• Demonstrate advanced report writing skills suitable for local/national government or charities

• Demonstrate vocational insight by applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations in a community context while developing evidence-based solutions that address complex community needs

• Have advanced self-motivation and time management skills by effectively supporting classroom-based research and guided social policy walks

• Have skills in reading and understanding sociological and social policy texts with a specific focus on policy implications.