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Applied Criminology/Sociology: Work and Volunteering

  • Module code: CM6018
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 6
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This is a level 6 optional module that draws upon both criminological and sociological debates and knowledges. You will learn by observing and undertaking work-based practice. The principle underlying this module is that worksites are important contexts for students to test, validate, expand upon, supplement and enrich their academic learning. The module requires students to undertake a minimum of 40 hours of fieldwork in an organisational setting. The form that the fieldwork will take will depend upon the type of placement secured, but, typically it may involve interning, shadowing or volunteering in subject relevant placements (for example across social justice, criminal justice/crime prevention, welfare and support fields). Whilst in their placements you are encouraged to think about the social aspects of organisations and working life, including their structural forms, interpersonal relationships and their practices. You will be supported in securing your placement at level 5 in preparation for the commencement of the module at level 6.

Aims

  • To provide students with the opportunity to apply academic knowledge acquired through classroom learning to real-world situations.
  • To demonstrate a critical understanding of social aspects of organizations and working life.
  • To enable students to broaden their social research skills.
  • To enhance students' understanding of research ethics and ethical practice.
  • To enable students to gain an understanding of the everyday realities of organisations across criminology and sociology relevant fields.
  • To enhance students' employability skills, networks and contacts.

Learning outcomes

  • Relate their academic understanding of criminological and sociological knowledge to the policies and practices of the organisation in which they achieve a residency
  • Critically appraise the value of criminological and sociological concepts and theoretical ideas when applied to work-based contexts
  • Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the everyday realities of organisational life
  • Demonstrate that they have planned, organised, conducted and presented a fieldwork programme.
  • Demonstrate that they have conducted their fieldwork in accordance with ethical guidelines.
  • Demonstratea critical understanding of social aspects of organizations and working life.

Curriculum content

  • The application of criminological and sociological knowledge to work-based practice
  • Ethics and social research
  • Reflective and reflexive practice
  • The relationship between central and organisational policies and everyday practice
  • The sociology of work and organisations
  • Professionalism and professional knowledge
  • Organisational structures, cultures and practices
  • The production of institutional space
  • Emotionwork in day-to-day practice
  • Power and agency in practice roles and interactions
  • Bureaucracy and governance in contemporary work-sites
  • Work and social identity
  • Psycho-social approaches to everyday practice

Teaching and learning strategy

The teaching and learning strategy will include a series of workshops and lectures spread across the academic year to: lay the preparatory ground for getting started; to identify themes to be researched; to monitor and trouble shoot; and to prepare students for their summative assessments. A weekly dedicated drop-in office hour will be available for students to receive tutorial support during their work-based practice. Relevant learning materials will be provided on Canvas, including digitised reading materials, lecture slides and templates and guidance for formative and summative assessments.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching 12 x 2hr workshops 24
Guided independent study Coursework 236
Study abroad / placement Work-based residency 40
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

The assessment strategy has been designed to allow students to demonstrate their experiential learning through both written work and oral presentations. The presentation provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate a level of professionalism that embodies a range of employability skills, as well allowing for a collective sharing of work based experiences across different settings. The reflective practice log is a well-established and professionally accredited vehicle for assessing experiential learning that students could expect to encounter in their future careers. In the report students are called upon to demonstrate advanced report writing skills with a direct focus on their work setting and to provide recommendations for policy/practice action. 

The summative assessment is:

A1) 3500 word report and reflective log (70%)

A2) 15 minute individual oral presentation (30%)

Formative assessment:

  • Workshop discussions and tutorial reports
  • Peer reviewed report writing

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
Relate their academic understanding of criminological and sociological knowledge to the policies and practices of the organisation in which they achieve a residency A1 Summative 3500 word report and A2 15 minute presentation Formative through workshop discussions and through peer reviewed report writing.
Critically appraise the value of criminological and sociological concepts and theoretical ideas when applied to work-based contexts A1 3500 word report and A2 15 minute presentation Formative through workshop discussions and peer reviewed report writing.
Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the everyday realities of organisational life A1 Summative 3500 word report and A2 15 minute presentation Formative through workshop discussions and peer reviewed report writing.
Demonstrate that they have planned, organised, conducted and presented a fieldwork programme. A2 Summative 15 minute presentation Formative through workshop discussions.
Demonstrate that they have conducted their fieldwork in accordance with ethical guidelines. A1 Summative 3500 word report and A2 15 minute presentation Formative through workshop discussions and peer reviewed report writing.
Demonstrate a critical understanding of social aspects of organisations and working life. A1 Summative 3500 word report and A2 15 minute presentation Formative through workshop discussions and peer reviewed report writing.

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Coursework 3500 word reflective log 70
Practical 15 minute oral presentation 30
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Barnes, M. and Prior, D. (Eds.) (2009) Subversive Citizens: Power, Agency and Resistance in Public Services, Policy Press, Bristol.

Bolton, G. (2005) Reflective Practice writing & professional development. (2nd Edn). London: Sage.

Bibliography recommended reading

Clarke, J. et al. (eds.) (2000) New Managerialism, New Welfare?, London: Sage. 

Costley, C., Elliot, G.C. (2010) Doing Work Based Learning. London: Sage

Fanthome. C. (2004) Work Placements -A Survival Guide for Students. Basingstoke:Palgrave Macmillan

Hobbs, D., and Wright, R. (2006). The Sage Handbook of Fieldwork. London: Sage

Hoggett, P., Mayo, M. and Miller, C. (2008) The dilemmas of development work: ethical challenges in regeneration, Bristol, Policy Press

Hudson, J. and Lowe, S. (2009) Understanding the Policy Process: Analysing Welfare Policy & Practice, Bristol, The Policy Press.

Kleinig, J. (2008) Ethics and Criminal Justice An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lea, T. (2008) Bureaucrats and Bleeding Hearts: indigenous Health in Northern Australia, UNSW Press, Sydney.

Schon, D. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner How Professionals Think in Action. Farnham: Ashgate.

Volti, R (2012) An Introduction to the Sociology of Work and Occupations, California: Sage.

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