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-)* 2,000 word blog - Provides a comprehensive and insightful description of the local social issue with excellent use of evidence and examples - Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of who is affected and why, with nuanced analysis of multiple intersecting factors - Presents clear, innovative and well-justified solutions that are feasible and evidence-based - Uses appropriate blog conventions (subheadings, accessible language, engaging tone) whilst maintaining analytical depth - Demonstrates excellent critical thinking and engagement with complexity

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-) 2000 word blog - Provides a competent description of the local social issue with good use of evidence -Demonstrates good understanding of who is affected and why, with sound analysis of relevant factors -Presents relevant and generally well-justified solutions that are appropriate to the issue -Uses blog format appropriately with generally accessible and clear writing -Shows good critical thinking and reasonable depth of analysis

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-) 2000 word blog - Presents a basic description of the social issue with limited evidence or examples -Shows satisfactory understanding of who is affected and why, though analysis may be superficial -Presents some solutions but with limited justification or feasibility considerations -Makes limited use of blog conventions with basic writing style -Demonstrates limited critical thinking or depth of analysis

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-) 2000 word blog - Produces a minimal or unclear description of the local social issue with little or no evidence - Demonstrates weak understanding of who is affected and why, with little meaningful analysis - Presents few, weak or inappropriate solutions with inadequate justification - Fails to engage with blog format or accessibility requirements - Shows minimal critical thinking or analytical depth

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.