Lectures, Case Studies, Documentaries, Group Work and Tutorials and DVD.
Module Aim:
1. To give the student an understanding of the discipline of social policy and sociology
2. To develop an understanding of the major institutions of modern society.
3. To give the student an understanding of the complexity of contemporary society.
4. To give students an understanding and knowledge of the historical development of the Irish welfare system
5. To give students an appreciation of the kind of influences which may affect policy formation
6. To promote students’ understanding of the social issues underpinning policy
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1
Discuss the factors which shape Irish society.
LO2
Discuss the emergence of the Irish Welfare State
LO3
Recognise the factors which influence poverty, social exclusion and Social Class
LO4
Identify the main classical theorists in sociology and evaluate the interpretations of society offered by these theorists.
LO5
Describe the functions of the family.
LO6
Outline how socialisation impacts on culture and idenity
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content
Factors which influence the develpoment of Social Ploicy
Why Social Policy is relevant to Youth and Community Work
The factors which influence the development of Social Policy.
Political ideologies and perspectives on Welfare
The Development of the Irish welfare system
Introduction to the development of the Irish welfare system from early 19th Century.
Esping Andersons three worlds of welfare and the Irish Mixed Economy of Welfare. Including the contribution of public, private, voluntary and informal welfare sectors. Universal and Selectivism.
The Development of Leglislation
The process by which private issues become public debates. The role of pressure groups , the media, church and ideology in this process. The stages of a bill and finally how a bill becomes a piece of leglislation.
Poverty and Social Inclusion
Poverty in Ireland
Definitions and measurements
Child and Family Poverty
Educational disadvantage
Anti- Poverty Strategy
Anti - poverty and social inclusion strategy
Thinking Sociologically
An introduction to sociology and the changing nature of the social world.
Classical Sociological Theory - Marx, Weber and Durkheim
Social Stratification
Dimensions of Social Stratification, Inequality, Social Mobility, theories of Social Stratification, Consumption and Social Stratification
Sociology of Family
Family, Marriage and Intimate Relationships, Broad changes in the family , theorizing the family and problems in the family.
Sociology of childhood, youth and older person.
Culture, Idenity and Gender
Defining culture and cultural difference, emerging issues in culture
Socialization
Idenity
Gender and sexuality
Assessment Breakdown
%
Continuous Assessment
50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination
50.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Project
n/a
1,2,3
50.00
n/a
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Formal Exam
End-of-Semester Final Examination
3,4,5,6
50.00
End-of-Semester
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment