Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title EXPLORING WICKED ISSUES IN SOCIETY
Code SOCI343
Coordinator Dr CL Lightowlers
Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology
C.Lightowlers@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

This module seeks to enable students with a deeper critical understanding of intractable societal issues and to appraise how successive social policies have been developed to try to alleviate them. Through these understandings, and by giving students the opportunity to explore these students will develop their own knowledge and skills to research how particular issues are identified and problematised at particular times in particular societies, and an insight into how policies are interpreted and translated into practice.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) To account for how 'wicked issues' are conceptualised and contested in the academic literature

(LO2) To describe and critically evaluate the policy 'landscape' in the UK and beyond

(LO3) To assemble and critically evaluate often conflicting sources of information about particular issues, including policy and grey literature

(LO4) To appraise to how people working in social policy approach 'wicked issues' and the challenges they faced

(S1) Presentation skills

(S2) Policy analysis

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving

(S4) Working in groups and teams

(S5) Creative thinking and reflective practice

(S6) Formulating questions and engaging with debates

Syllabus
 

Using 'wicked issues' as a starting point, each week we will explore how a particular issue is defined, and consider how in the UK and other countries, successive policies have been introduced in attempts to 'deal' with them. Students will be encouraged to develop their own ideas about definitions and 'solutions' and ideas for policy and practice will be discussed during the seminars and in workshops. Using library resources and publically available policy and grey literature, students will be encouraged to independently research areas of interest and read beyond the reading lists provided and to prepare for the seminars and workshops.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Student attendance and participation will count towards up to10% their final mark.

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Each week, students will be asked to prepare for a discussion of their reading around the topic
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Workshops
Description: Students will listen to a presentation and then take part in a workshop.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Students will be expected to come prepared to ask questions.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 12

 6

       3

 21
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 129
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Attendance at lectures, workshops and seminars This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :At lectures, seminars and Outside Speaker Q&A sessions  10 %    10       
3000 word Coursework There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :After teaching is completed in   words    90       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.