Overview

Social problems are inherent facets of human societies, hindering the well-being and harmony of individuals and communities. These challenges span a wide spectrum, encompassing economic inequalities, poverty, discrimination, crime, and mental health issues. This module focuses on how and why certain social issues become identified as ‘social problems’. The workshop format will use local and contemporary social problems .

Subjects may include, but are not limited to various social issues such as homelessness, poverty, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, hate crimes, and poor mental health.

The workshop format will discuss local and contemporary social problems . Previous subjects have included various social issues such as homelessness, poverty, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, hate crimes, and poor mental health.

Workshops may include, but are not limited to: - What are social problems, inequalities and injustices? - Discussing the experiences of particular groups/individuals that, according to research, may experience inequalities and injustices - A social policy walk - Group session on solving social problems

Assessment Strategy

Excellent (A to A-) Case Study 1 - Area analysis* - provide a detailed evaluation of a local town centre/city in relation to one or more of the following social policy subjects - housing, employment, education, crime, health (to be decided at the start of the module) - critically evaluate a particular local social problem

Case study 2 - Budget for local services - provide an excellent discussion of how to ‘spend’ a budget in a fictional area in a way that addresses the social problems. - provide critically evaluated academic evidence to support all decisions. - outline a well thought through additional service that would be suitable to address a specific social problem in the fictional area.

Good (B+ to B-) Case Study 1 - Area analysis - Has a good understanding of a local town centre/city in relation to one or more of the following social policy subjects - housing, employment, education, crime, health (to be decided at the start of the module) but does not provide a detailed overview. - good discussion of the social issue and how to address it but room for more detail/analysis.

Case study 2 - Budget for local services - provide a very good discussion of how to ‘spend’ a budget in a fictional local area in a way that addresses social problems but does not provide critical supporting evidence for their decisions. - provide an example of an additional service that would address a social problem in the the fictional local area would benefit from, although more detail is needed.

Satisfactory (C+ to C-)

Case study 1 - Area analysis. - Has a satisfactory understanding of a local town centre/city in relation to one or more of the following social policy subjects - housing, employment, education, crime, health (to be decided at the start of the module) but does not provide a detailed overview. - brief discussion of the social issue and how to address it

Case Study 2 -Budget for local services. - provides a brief discussion on how to ‘spend’ a budget in a fictional local area in a way that addresses social problems but provides little critical supporting evidence for their decisions. - provides little detail of an additional service that the fictional local area would benefit from. Room for much more detail or analysis.

Threshold (D+ to D-).

*Case study 1 - Area analysis. - Provides little/no understanding of one local area by only outlining some information of one or more of the following social policy subjects - housing, employment, education, crime, health (to be decided at the start of the module) - little discussion of the social issue and how to address it

Case Study 2 - Budget for local services. - provides little/no discussion on how to ‘spend’ a budget in a fictional local area in a way that addresses social problems and provides little to no supporting evidence for their decisions. - provides little/no detail of an additional service that the fictional local area would benefit from.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Can critically evaluate a variety and specific 'social problems'.

• Can systematically evaluate a variety and specific 'social problems' through individual and group work - whether it be written or oral communication.

• Demonstrate vocational insight by applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations in a community context.

• Have self-motivation and time management skills

• Have skills in reading and understanding sociological and social policy texts