Module Details

Module Code: SOCI8012
Title: Family Policy & Research
Long Title: Family Policy & Research
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3120 - Sociology
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module will examine social supports and policies for members of society through the lifecycle. Students will apply research knowledge and skills in the implementation of small scale research to a sociological topic.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Examine social supports and policies for members of society through the lifecycle. Students will apply research knowledge and skills in the implementation of small scale research to a sociological topic.
LO2 Critically examine policies aimed at supporting individuals and families through social problems or achieving social outcomes pertaining to children, adolescents, young people, elderly and family.
LO3 Develop an awareness of the interdependence of the individual/family and the environment and to promote a sense of responsibility to global issues.
LO4 Apply principles of research to a sociological topic.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
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. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Concepts of Poverty
Defining poverty - absolute, relative poverty, poverty line, cycle of poverty, poverty trap. Explaining poverty – structural or individual causes. The extent and distribution of poverty in Ireland today, groups at risk of poverty: children, ethnic groups, older people. Social exclusion; homelessness.
Sociology and the Environment
Challenges for individuals, families and communities: Social constructionism, global warming, pollution, recycling, GM food controversy, consumerism and environmental damage, challenges of living with the global risk, sustainable development, ecological modernisation, environmental justice.
Social Policy
The Welfare State and international approaches; statutory, voluntary and community services supporting families through the life-cycle stages, policies aimed at tackling social problems caused by social exclusion, achieving better social outcomes for children, adolescents, young people, elderly and family; policy in other EU member states. Social policy to address health risks, displacement, food insecurity, economic hardships as a result of the global climate crisis.
Research Skills
Formulating research questions, developing research design, interpreting and presenting data, methodologies and instrumentations, ethical issues & managing data, reliability and validity, sampling
UN Sustainability Goals
Informed by a human-rights based approach (see HIQA 2020) this module coheres with and seeks to further the SDGs 1, 2, 7, 10, 13
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Project proposal on a topic from the module content
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 80
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Project presented on a topic of choice with a simple research element
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading & Research Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading & Research Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Giddens, Anthony and Sutton, Philip W.. (2021), Sociology, 9th. John Wiley and Sons, UK, [ISBN: 978-1-509-539].
  • Cribb, Alan & Gerwitz, Sharon. (2009), Understanding Education: A Sociological Perspective., Polity Press., Cambridge, [ISBN: 978-0-745-633].
  • Grint, Keith and Nixon, Darren.. (2016), The Sociology of Work: An Introduction., 4th Edition. Polity Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 9780745650456].
  • Armstrong, Stephen.. (2017), The New Poverty, Verso, London, [ISBN: 9781786634658].
  • Lansley, Stewart and Mack, Stewart.. (2015), Breadline Britain: The Rise of Mass Poverty, One World, London, [ISBN: 9781780745442].
  • Pierson, John.. (2016), Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion: Promoting Social Justice in Social Work, 3rd. Routledge, London, [ISBN: 9780415742993].
  • Bell, Michael, B., and Ashwood, Loka.. (2015), An Invitation to Environmental Sociology, 6th. Sage, New York, [ISBN: 9781506366012].
  • Hammond, M. & Wellington, J.J.. (2021), Research methods: the key concepts, 2nd. Taylor & Francis Group, London, London; New York, [ISBN: 9780367178741].
  • Cohen, L., Manion, L and Morrison, K.. (2018), Research Methods In Education, 8th. Routledge Falmer, London, [ISBN: 978-113820988].
  • Bell, J.. (2010), Doing your research project: A guide for first time researchers in Education and Social Science, Open University Press, Milton Keynes, [ISBN: 9780335235827].
  • Punch, Keith.. (2014), Introduction to social research: Quantitative and Qualitative approaches, 3rd. Sage, London, [ISBN: 978-144624093].
  • Robson, C.. (2016), Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-researchers, Blackwell, Oxford, [ISBN: 978-063121305].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Walsh, F. (2017), Strengthening Family Resilience, 3rd. Guildford Press, London, [ISBN: 1462529860].
  • Pinkerton, J; Dolan, J; Canavan, P. (2016), Understanding Family Support: Policy, Practice and Theory, 1st. Jessica Kingsley, London, [ISBN: 1849050].
  • Dukelow, F; Considine, M. (2017), Irish Social Policy: A Critical Introduction, 2nd. Policy Press, Bristol, [ISBN: 1447329627].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_FHEBU_8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Home Economics and Business 6 Mandatory