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What will I learn on this module?
The aim of the module is to engage you in critical discussion and analysis of emerging trends in contemporary health and social care issues and policies. You will build on existing knowledge and develop your understanding of the changing social and political contexts for health and social care issues and policies. This module also allows you to develop knowledge and expertise in relation to an area of interest through independent enquiry.
The module encourages you to develop an understanding of local, national and global perspectives on emerging trends and contemporary issues and to explore a range of theoretical frameworks.
You will examine health and social care contexts including organisations, neighbourhoods and communities and explore the contribution of local authorities and other public sector organisations, families, business and voluntary organisations. You will also evaluate the impact of health and social care policies on particular communities, professionals and/or organisations and critically reflect on policy and practice using research evidence.
You will be encouraged to explore a range of question in relation to an emerging issue. For example:
What are the challenges facing organisations delivering health and social care?
What impact do health and social care policies have on professionals and service users?
What roles do professionals and service users have in developing health and social care policies and practice?
What are the ‘drivers for change’ in relation to Health and social care?
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn in a variety of ways during this module. This module encourages you to become an active inquirer and participant in your own learning, build upon previous learning and experience. The module will encourage peer group and collaborative learning as well as independent, self-directed study. Activities will include a programme of lectures delivered to a large group of students as well as seminars and discussions and workshop activities. Attendance at lectures and seminars will help you to meet the learning outcomes for the module. Lectures will provide you with a range of perspectives on issues and policies. Seminars provide you with the opportunity to discuss and share your thinking with peers and tutors in a supportive environment. Seminar and workshop activities incorporate brief seminar presentations on selected readings and debates as well as exercises interpreting a range of evidence including quantitative and qualitative data. In this module there will be a series of workshops during which you will learn and practice the skills required for the formative and summative assessment. A range of electronic and interactive resources will be available via the Electronic Learning Portal (eLP), including lecture materials, tutors' audio and video explanations as well as discussion boards and links to external websites and podcast materials.
There are opportunities for formative assessment throughout the module to support your learning and to help you work towards the summative assignment. As part of the collaborative learning approach students will be involved in peer and self-assessment of blogs which will develop evaluation skills and capacity for autonomous learning. Your self-directed reading and engagement with the module materials will form an important part of your learning.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Tutors will support your learning in a variety of ways. They will provide a programme of lectures which relate to the learning outcomes for the module. Seminars and supervised workshops will provide a supportive environment in which you can discuss and share your ideas. Tutors will provide reading materials, examples, and activities for seminars and workshops to support the development of your understanding of the changing social and political landscapes for health and social care. Supervised workshops will also support the development of the assessment and provide time for peer assessment and learning. You will also be provided with an electronic reading list which will include essential and recommended reading for the module and its assessment.
During this Level 6 module you will also be supported to explore and engage in your own search for literature to develop your curiosity and enquiry relating to an emerging issue/trend related to health and integrated social care.
Peer support, assessment and feedback are central to learning on this module and tutors will support the development of this through a series of discussions and exercises which will focus on the skills needed for peer and self-assessment. Contact details for all tutors for this module are available in the module handbook and via the eLP. Where appropriate, and with your agreement, answers to your queries that would be beneficial to the whole group will be posted on the eLP discussion board so all may benefit.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically discuss and analyse contemporary issues in health and social care
2. Critically analyse related policy(ies) using theoretical perspectives.
3. Evaluate the impact of health and social care developments and policies on service users, professionals and organisations.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Critically reflect on the implications of your evidence and analysis for current and future policy, practice, professionals and service users.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Demonstrate an awareness of global and cultural contexts and ethical issues in relation to health and social care.
How will I be assessed?
Formative assessment
During the module you will be expected to submit written work of 3 x 600 words critically analysing and evaluating a contemporary health and social care issue and related policies.
Module tutors will encourage peer feedback on blogs during the course of the module. Feedback will be given during workshops to help you develop your learning and prepare for your summative assessment.
The first blog meets MLOs 1 and 5
The second blog meets MLO 2
The third blog meets MLO 3
Summative assessment
You will be expected to submit 4,000 words written work in the form of 4 blogs critically analysing and evaluating your chosen health and social care issue and related policies. You will be expected to develop your own titles and meet the module learning outcomes 1-5.
Feedback
Tutors will formally assess your summative assessment providing written feedback and marks based on the assessment criteria.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
The aim of the module is to engage you in critical discussion and analysis of contemporary health and social care issues and policies. Tutors will support your learning in lectures, seminars and workshops to develop your knowledge and understanding about the changing social and political contexts for health and social care policies. You will develop an in-depth knowledge in relation to your area of interest through independent enquiry. You will gain a detailed understanding of theoretical, historical and comparative perspectives in health and social care; develop skills in evaluating the impact of health and social care policies on particular communities, professionals and/or organisations; and the ability to critically reflect on policy and practice based on research evidence. Throughout you will be supported by tutors and your peers to develop a written aassessment which will be submitted electronically in the form of a series of blogs.
Course info
UCAS Code L5L6
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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