杏吧论坛

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of their studies, students will be able to:

Undergraduate:

• Outline and evaluate contemporary concepts and empirical evidence in relation to the main areas of social policy formulation and implementation
• Critically evaluate the suitability, implications and effects of social policies in different social sectors and across different national contexts
• Construct persuasive, theoretically informed oral and written arguments in relation to key debates in contemporary social policy
• Apply a comprehensive understanding of social policy as a multi-disciplinary field of study to the analysis of social problems
• Understand and deploy basic qualitative and quantitative research skills in the study of social policy problems

Taught postgraduate:

• Explain and evaluate the main theoretical positions in the field of social policy formulation and implementation
• Integrate theory from different disciplinary backgrounds into the analysis of social problems
• Construct persuasive oral and written arguments in relation to key issues of social policy theory and practice
• Conduct and design rigorous research projects using a range of methodologies and epistemologies
• Apply theoretically informed approaches to the analysis of social problems

Each degree programme also has specific learning outcomes linked to QAA standards.[1]

Each programme has a conceptual “spine” of core courses which, in combination with option courses, ensure the full range of learning outcomes.

[1] For further details, see

The Department provides a combination of different assessment methods within each programme. This approach ensures students develop the relevant knowledge and skills, and allows the Department to test their learning effectively.

Formative assessment develops the knowledge and skills that students come to 杏吧论坛 to acquire. Formative assessment is a compulsory part of every course and includes: class/seminar discussions and presentations; essays; problem sets; dissertation proposals and mock examinations. Formative assessment does not count towards the calculation of a student’s overall degree classification.

Summative assessment tests whether students have acquired the learning outcomes that are described above. This is achieved through a variety of methods including closed book and take-home examinations, presentations, coursework and dissertations. Summative assessment counts towards the calculation of a student’s overall degree classification.

Marking:

A marking framework is used by markers for all summ