Recommended Study Sequence

This unit develops critical reflection on the role of theory in the social sciences. It requires the completion of four topics in areas such as: epistemology and disciplinary positioning of social theory; theories in social, cultural, historical and political contexts; current debates and theories in the social sciences. The unit is offered in flexible mode according to topic (typically one day’s attendance or equivalent per topic). Topics vary each session depending on student demand.

This unit provides core research training within a range of postgraduate courses. It requires the completion of four research topics in the following areas: research theory and design (e.g. epistemology, qualitative & quantitative) specific approaches (e.g. critical discourse analysis, feminist research); data collection methods (e.g. interviews, questionnaires) and methods of analysis (e.g. quantitative & qualitative). This unit is offered in flexible mode according to topic (typically one day's attendance or equivalent per topic). Topics vary each session depending on student demand.

Students examine the concept of childhood particularly focusing on issues relevant to care and protection work and to agency and work methods. Concepts and skills for working in partnership with children, youth and families are studied and discussed in terms of constructing effective policy, practice and management approaches.

In this unit students explore the issue of child abuse and neglect and its relationship to socio-political and economic factors. The complexities and ambiguities of care and protection work are dissected at an advanced level. Reference is made to students' agencies and how they have developed particular responses to the issue of child abuse. This unit develops and defines existing knowledge and theoretical frameworks and challenges students to deconstruct various approaches to care and protection practice.

This unit is the capstone for the Master of Social Science. It extends students’ critical practice in their specialist field, building on ‘Theories of the Social’ and ‘Research Methods for the Humanities and Social Sciences’. Students will undertake intensive analyses of the links between theory, research and practice and prepare and carry out an investigation negotiated with an academic advisor. The unit consists of intensive workshops and a plenary seminar in which students present their work. Throughout the semester study groups based on specialties will meet with an academic ‘advisor’. A substantial ‘research report’ of activities/ investigations, analyses and interpretations will be produced that complies with the unit’s objectives. Note: Projects are not individually supervised, but will require the production of an individually completed research project and report.

In this unit students build on their understanding of the legal, administrative and institutional contexts for decision making in care and protection work. Students critically examine current policy and practice models and tools for decision making in terms of the complexity and ambiguity which characterises care and protection work. Decision making processes are analysed and strategies formulated in relation to the obstacles and benefits of partnership with consumers and agencies.

In this unit the family, community and societal support are emphasised and strategies for creating a ‘child-friendly’ community explored. Students examine concepts and models for facilitating the development of a child and young-person friendly society as they apply to contemporary child welfare issues. The relationship between child welfare, care and protection and abuse is explored.

Students examine the concept of childhood particularly focusing on issues relevant to care and protection work and to agency and work methods. Concepts and skills for working in partnership with children, youth and families are studied and discussed in terms of constructing effective policy, practice and management approaches.

In this unit students explore the issue of child abuse and neglect and its relationship to socio-political and economic factors. The complexities and ambiguities of care and protection work are dissected at an advanced level. Reference is made to students' agencies and how they have developed particular responses to the issue of child abuse. This unit develops and defines existing knowledge and theoretical frameworks and challenges students to deconstruct various approaches to care and protection practice.

In this unit students build on their understanding of the legal, administrative and institutional contexts for decision making in care and protection work. Students critically examine current policy and practice models and tools for decision making in terms of the complexity and ambiguity which characterises care and protection work. Decision making processes are analysed and strategies formulated in relation to the obstacles and benefits of partnership with consumers and agencies.

In this unit the family, community and societal support are emphasised and strategies for creating a ‘child-friendly’ community explored. Students examine concepts and models for facilitating the development of a child and young-person friendly society as they apply to contemporary child welfare issues. The relationship between child welfare, care and protection and abuse is explored.

This unit provides core research training within a range of postgraduate courses. It requires the completion of four research topics in the following areas: research theory and design (e.g. epistemology, qualitative & quantitative) specific approaches (e.g. critical discourse analysis, feminist research); data collection methods (e.g. interviews, questionnaires) and methods of analysis (e.g. quantitative & qualitative). This unit is offered in flexible mode according to topic (typically one day's attendance or equivalent per topic). Topics vary each session depending on student demand.

This unit develops critical reflection on the role of theory in the social sciences. It requires the completion of four topics in areas such as: epistemology and disciplinary positioning of social theory; theories in social, cultural, historical and political contexts; current debates and theories in the social sciences. The unit is offered in flexible mode according to topic (typically one day’s attendance or equivalent per topic). Topics vary each session depending on student demand.

This unit is the capstone for the Master of Social Science. It extends students’ critical practice in their specialist field, building on ‘Theories of the Social’ and ‘Research Methods for the Humanities and Social Sciences’. Students will undertake intensive analyses of the links between theory, research and practice and prepare and carry out an investigation negotiated with an academic advisor. The unit consists of intensive workshops and a plenary seminar in which students present their work. Throughout the semester study groups based on specialties will meet with an academic ‘advisor’. A substantial ‘research report’ of activities/ investigations, analyses and interpretations will be produced that complies with the unit’s objectives. Note: Projects are not individually supervised, but will require the production of an individually completed research project and report.