Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LC Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Science in Action Part 2
School	School of Social Policy
Department	Soc Policy, Sociology & Crimin
Module Code	08 33999
Module Lead	Harriet Clarke
Level	Certificate Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-21 hours Seminar-9 hours Guided independent study-70 hours Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module continues to explore the relationship between social science, social problems and social policy in contemporary society. The module continues to demonstrate, through case studies, how to apply theories of social problem construction to social issues and examine the role of social science research in exploring and promoting solutions to these social problems. Encouraging students to develop sophisticated critical analysis skills students now work in groups to apply theory to their own case study for a poster presentation – part of a poster presentation conference for first year students. Thus using peer learning students have an opportunity to apply theory demonstrating problem construction, historical context, contemporary debate and potential policy solutions. This engages them in their own miniature research project utilising literature review skills from part one of the module as well as the academic skills develop in Social Research I (parts one and two). In addition to this, students are supported and encouraged to reflect on module learning to consider: How systematic review can inform case study analysis and be used in demonstrating module learning through assessment; How to draw out key lessons and theoretical debates to apply to other programme level content; How the module has enhanced their own learning of social sciences and social problems as a foundation for studies in years 2 and 3.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Recognise the significance of analysing problems in societies in individual and structural terms; Outline the historical development of specific social problems; Understand that social sciences have developed in relation to political and public concerns with specific ‘social problems’; Debate the contested nature of social policy (as a practice, and as a discipline); Appraise the social science and political rationales for social policy responses to social issues; Reflect on theories of social problem construction in terms of their learning and how to apply module content to wider programme of study.
Assessment	33999-03 : Literature Review (First Semester) : Presentation (20%) 33999-05 : Group Presentation : Coursework (80%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1000 word literature review (20%) (Semester 1); Group Poster presentation, peer marked (10 minutes) (80%, with 10% of marks coming from peer assessment) (Semester 2) Reassessment: 1000 word literature review (20%); 1000 word written reflection of the group presentation (80%)
Other
Reading List