This module investigates human development and social determinants using an interdisciplinary life course conceptual and theoretical perspective. The aim of the module is to seek to understand how these knowledges (e.g. from post-colonial studies, feminism and disability studies) have sought to influence social policy decisions and the effect this has had on people’s welfare experiences from cradle to grave. The module is interested in life phases (childhood, adulthood and later life), the movement and transition periods between these phases (e.g. childhood to adolescence, adolescence to adulthood and adulthood to old age) and personal trajectories based on social characteristics. The module will pay close attention to how social institutions and social policy has regulated people’s lives vertically and horizontally over time, based on ‘normative’ constructions and assumptions of what childhood, adulthood and later life are, and across changing socio-economic issues and contexts. The module will also reflect on the spaces for opening up or closing of public and private roles and relationships. The module will scrutinise how social policy might increase or decrease intergenerational welfare opportunities for individuals across policy domains including home life, care, disability, work, health and education. The module will draw on empirical, theoretical and international case studies and evidence to explore how policy interventions might improve the wellbeing circumstances of people as they age.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
To appreciate the interdisciplinary approaches to the life course debates and interventions.
To apply life course theories to lived experience examples
To critically analyse and compare the impacts of key transitions and events on life trajectories
To reflect on the interplay between agential and structural factors
To build on research skills using existing data sets and research evidence to explore recommendations for future policy making
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment: Written assessment of 4000 words (100%).
