SW4003 - Introduction to Social Policy and Law

You will learn in a variety of ways in this module. You will learn through a programme of lectures delivered to a large group of students and seminars with small group discussions. Attendance at lectures and seminars will help you meet the learning outcomes for the module. Lectures will introduce you to theories and practice in relation to key concepts, law and social issues and policies. Seminars will provide you with the opportunity to discuss your reading and ideas with peers and tutor in a supportive environment. A range of electronic resources will be available via the Blackboard Ultra e Learning portal, including lecture materials, tutor audio and video explanations as well as the use of discussions boards and links to external websites and podcast materials.

There are opportunities for formative assessment throughout the module to support your learning and to help you work towards the summative assignment. You will learn through processes of peer and self-assessment which will develop your critical evaluation skills and capacity for autonomous learning. Your self-directed reading and engagement with the module materials also form an important part of your learning.

Tutors will support your learning in a range of ways. They will provide a programme of lectures which relate to the learning outcomes for the module. Lectures will introduce you to key issues, concepts, perspective, and theories in relation to social policy and law. You will be given opportunities to discuss and share your ideas in a supportive environment. Key module materials will be available electronically. You will also be provided with an electronic reading list which will include essential and recommended reading of the module and its assessment. You will also be supported to explore and engage in your own search for literature to support your curiosity and enquiry in order to meet the learning outcomes for the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

At the end of this module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Identify key contemporary social issues, concepts, theories, and perspectives in relation to the development of social policy and law.
2. Explain the development of policy and legislation.
3. Evaluate the impact of policy and/or legislation on groups of people.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Communicate your ideas to audiences (e.g. social workers and/or people involved with care and support services.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Demonstrate curiosity and effectively articulate how different theories, values and perspectives influence the development of social policy and law.

Formative assessment
You will be expected to give a verbal group presentation which will discuss an area of law or social policy. Verbal formative feedback will be provided by Educators by Experience, your module tutor, and peers.
(MLO 1,2,3,4,5)

Summative assessment
You will submit a 2,000-word briefing paper focusing on an area of social policy and/or law. The briefing paper is for a particular audience (e.g., social work; individuals involved with social services; social work students Examples of policy areas and issues for the briefing paper will be included in the module handbook and guidance provided during the module. The assignment is an electronic submission via Turnitin. The assignment constitutes 100% of the module mark. The module team will provide written feedback and marks based on the assessment criteria contained in the module guidance.
(MLO 1,2,3,4,5)

N/A

SW4000, SW4001, SW4002, SW04004, SW4005

This module introduces you to social policy and the law. This will develop your understanding for the social, economic, legal, and political context of social work practice. This module will develop your understanding of national and international policies and legislation. You will learn about the implications of law and policy for social work practice and the impact on groups of people. The module covers key concepts such as equality, human rights and poverty and discusses policies and laws relating to contemporary social issues. You will develop your understanding through lectures and seminars delivered by module tutors and through reading and independent learning. The module will use learning technologies and a range of module materials will be available on the module website. You will be encouraged to develop your interests and curiosity in relation to a particular social issue and discuss the development and impact of related policies and legislation.