Topics covered on this module may include: 1. What is family? 2. Construction of childhood within the family. 3. Divorce, separation and loss. 4. Sexuality, gender identity and the family.
5. Family mental health.
6. Working with families.

Assessment Strategy

You must achieve a threshold of 50% to pass this module. Please see below for guidance on what you must demonstrate in your work to achieve different levels of performance.

Excellent (A*, A+, A, A-) • Insightful and evaluative understanding of the complexities of the family and family relations • Comprehensive knowledge synthesised with applied understanding of contemporary issues for modern families • Detailed understanding of theory with no factual errors • Critical analysis showing evaluation and synthesis of ideas • Novel and innovative originality in approach, interpretation, and voice • Extensive and comprehensive independent research • Logically defended arguments with evidence for all claims • Highly focused and well structured • Excellent presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Correct format in appropriate referencing style

Good (B+, B, B-) • Considered understanding of the complexities of the concept of family and family relations • Strong knowledge alongside applied understanding of contemporary issues for modern families • Clear understanding of theory and mostly free of factual errors • Some analysis showing critical evaluation and links between ideas • Novel originality in approach, interpretation, and voice • Considerable independent research from appropriate sources • Coherent arguments with evidence for most claims • Focused and well structured • Clear presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Mostly correct format in appropriate referencing style

Threshold (C+, C, C-) • Basic understanding of the complexities of the concept of family and family relations • Some knowledge of counselling and applied understanding of contemporary issues for modern families • Understanding the main theoretical concepts with no major factual errors • Basic analysis showing obvious points of evaluation and links between ideas • Some originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice for part of the work • Some independent research from appropriate sources • Arguments presented with evidence for the most important claims • Readable structure showing focus at times • Acceptable presentation with appropriate expression • Attempt at correct format in appropriate referencing style with no major errors

If you do not meet the threshold, then your work will be graded as a Fail (less than 50%). Fail grades vary from Poor (D+, D, D-, E+, E, E-) to Very Poor (F).

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse the relationship between society, the individual and the family and explain the impact of these on the child’s experience and development.

• Apply a critical understanding of the key issues that affect family structure and dynamics to the work with children.

• Critically analyse the diversity of family structure, values, styles and dynamics and children’s participation in building these.

• Critically analyse what it is to be a child of a contemporary family.