In your first year you'll study with our partner, ARU College. This module will provide you with the necessary skills to begin studying at level 4 in courses related to the humanities, social sciences, English, media and education. You will be introduced to the core skills necessary to succeed in higher education, including thinking critically, researching, and referencing appropriately, demonstrating appropriate numeracy and ICT skills, and communicating effectively verbally and in writing. In addition to these fundamental study skills, you'll be given an introduction to a broad range of disciplines whose skills and theories are widely applicable. You will study a variety of writing styles in order to recognise, deconstruct and replicate various forms of persuasive, analytical, and informative writing. You'll learn the basics of intercultural studies and how these theories can be applied to real-world problems. You will consider social perceptions held across Western cultures, and the difference between social and self-perception, participating in structured discussion and argument. You'll be introduced to the core principles of psychology and will explore various current applications of psychological theory. You will also be introduced to ethics and learn about some of the key theories and thinkers in the development of current ethical considerations in a range of scenarios. This module is made up of the following eight constituent elements: Interactive Learning Skills and Communication (ILSC); Information Communication Technology (ICT); Critical Thinking; Intercultural Studies; Psychology; Composition and Style; Ethics; Social Perceptions.
Engage in discussions that develop some of the key skills necessary to succeed at university and understand how they will be useful to you throughout your life. We’ll focus on topics such as critical thinking so you can better understand the need to question what you are told and check it’s validity, a key skill in like as well as study. We’ll learn how to communicate effectively in a range of styles such as developing an academic argument or persuading people to agree with your side of a debate. We’ll discuss the importance and benefits of being able to work well as part of a team, and why this can be difficult to achieve. You’ll learn how to think and write reflectively and understand how this skill can be used to improve both your academic achievements and professional practice. Throughout the focus on all of these topics you’ll come to understand the importance of identifying the skills you develop through university study and how they can be transferred to the world of work.
View the full module definitionExplore the ways in which childhood is constructed by societies and communities. You'll consider how constructions of childhood have changed over time and how these different constructions have been shaped by political, social and economic factors. The second theme we’ll explore is the physical and social development of children, examining the key concepts and developmental course of social, emotional and physical development. We’ll introduce you to human development theories and safeguarding of children. We'll share theoretical ideas from the literary theory and cultural studies fields, which will support your future studies.
View the full module definitionSocial work has a deep-rooted history with poverty and continues to work with the most marginalised and disadvantaged communities. Social work is committed to social justice and addressing inequalities, yet there are increasingly punitive and harsh attitudes towards poverty. Poverty is often explained in terms of individual failings, yet Social Workers come face to face with the lived experience of hardship and survival. You’ll be introduced to the impact of stress, the concept of wellbeing, outcomes and the relationship to deep-rooted inequality across the lifecourse. Critical Social Workers are in a position to challenge dominant narratives and draw attention to the structural inequalities faced by communities. To be able to uphold professional values such as social justice and equity it is important that Social Workers have a keen awareness of individual and social explanations for the growing divide between rich and poor. We’ll emphasise the importance of where you live matters, encouraging you to pay attention to local factors: neighbourhoods and social networks will also be examined.
View the full module definitionContextual safeguarding begins with recognising the signs and categories of abuse and neglect. Our response is informed and guided by law and policy, which involves professional judgement in situations of risk, complexity and uncertainty. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and requires a sound understanding of professional roles and working together. Using experiential learning, we’ll expose you to a real-life case scenario. To reflect the reality of practice, case information will be received in staggered, phased stages. You’ll be required to complete a case report and case analysis to reflect on the experience of assessment, planning and decision making. We’ll explore the power of the home visit with use of innovative technology to simulate and promote skills in observation and intuition. We’ll build your confidence in recognising the indicators of all types of abuse and how to respond effectively. Categories of abuse often reflect the wider context and can change over time - you’ll explore topical and current issues in relation to safeguarding such as trafficking, female genital mutilation, county lines and cuckooing, alongside the legislation, principles and information sharing and confidentiality.
View the full module definitionExplore childhood cognitive development and learning by discovering the key theories of cognitive development, particularly those of Piaget and Vygotsky but also including an examination of more recent information-processing and neo-Piagetian theories. Build on children’s cognitive development by looking at language development of children and go in-depth with the study of the development of speech, communication and language. The module will cover the development of speech, communication and language from a range of different viewpoints, socio-cultural, psychological development, and educational.
View the full module definitionReflective practice is an essential skill for those working in health and social work. As inter-disciplinary working becomes more common, finding shared ways of reflection on practice are becoming more and more important. Develop your understanding of theories of reflective practice and be able to relate these to your work experience within an interprofessional context. You’ll deepen your understanding of how an ability to reflect on our own experiences is an important tool in improving our professional practices. We’ll support to develop your ability to recognise and reflect on development opportunities in practice which will be a vital transferable skill throughout your future career. To successfully complete this module you’ll need to be currently undertaking, or to have recently completed, work experience in an area that is relevant to interprofessional working. You have choice over what this work experience may be, and will be expected to arrange this independently, but will be supported by the module tutor in deciding on a relevant experience.
View the full module definitionGet experience in carrying out your own research project on a topic of your choice during this module. We’ll introduce you to the key issues, perspectives and debates around research and development within the interprofessional focus of the course. Gain an understanding of the need for valid and ethical research. Explore a range of research designs, paradigms and approaches from philosophical first principles through to methods of data collection and analysis. Use the knowledge you develop during this module to critique different research designs, to understand the ways in which research is applied in practice, and to appreciate the strengths and limitations of research methods. You’ll develop your knowledge of a chosen interprofessional topic by engaging in a research design process, constructing a literature review, undertaking research and writing a research report. Everything you learn in this module will help you prepare for your dissertation in your final year of study, and for possible postgraduate study at ARU.
View the full module definitionUnderstanding how to make positive changes within a community begins by collecting information about the community’s needs and challenges, and the factors that affect the people in that community. A needs assessment can help to identify the most important issues to the community, such as preventing childhood obesity or keeping young people in education. Learn how to undertake community profiling and needs analyses and how to use these to propose possible solutions to the issues you have identified. Initially, you’ll undertake critical review of case studies of community profiles and needs analyses, focusing on the issues and provision within the community, through the lens of social justice. After this you’ll use your experience of being part of a community (whether this is a geographic community such as a workplace or a identity-based community such as being part of the LGBTQ+ community or being from a specific ethnic group) to learn how to develop a community profile and needs assessment of that community and how to develop a possible provision to respond to the identified needs. You’ll develop both knowledge and skills that are relevant to a wide range of interprofessional careers.
View the full module definitionRuskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
Complete your studies with us by writing your dissertation on a topic of your choice, supported by your dissertation supervisor. Your special focus project will enable you to demonstrate your ability to raise and address significant questions in relation to a specific topic or issue relevant to an interprofessional context. For example, this may involve auditing or evaluating existing practice; commenting on significant theoretical or conceptual developments at the local, national or international level; developing a professional innovation with a rationale based on current research literature; or constructing a philosophical review of a specific theoretical or practice innovation. You’ll be expected to demonstrate the ability to select and apply appropriate investigative techniques which are relevant to your chosen focus and the specific questions or problem you have chosen to address. You’ll draw on your previous learning to select an appropriate focus. Refine and expand your existing knowledge of a branch of theory or practice, communicate in an articulate and appropriately clear and academic fashion, draw meaningful, balanced and evidence-based conclusions from complex data and consistently adopt a critical and reflective approach. Where appropriate, you’ll be supported to obtain the approval of the relevant University ethics panel. This dissertation is the culmination of your undergraduate studies and is your chance to use all the skills and knowledge you’ve developed to produce an autonomous piece of work.
View the full module definitionClimate change and environmental degradation are realities faced by the entire planet and by every society. This crisis, in development for many decades, comes on a background of rampant global inequality and disenchantment with the neo-liberal project. Locally and globally there is heightened realisation that this existential crisis is affecting particularly those who are already in vulnerable and oppressed situations. Natural disasters, droughts, floods and loss of land deepen poverty social inequality displacement and forced migration and affect life particularly in the most marginalised communities and social groups. You’ll build on insights from Contemporary Issues in Social Work by exploring the structural and environmental origins of poverty. You’ll critically analyse the modernist neo-liberal thinking on society and the environment and the ecocentric/ecosocial perspective advocated as alternative. We’ll discuss the social, transnational and political implications of this perspective and the position social work can take at micro mezzo and macro levels. To prepare for this challenge in your professional life, content will be based on experiential and active learning, critical thinking, teamwork and co-production, and social action. In particular, we’ll draw on community social work, as introduced in Year 1. You’ll also build on the knowledge developed in ‘Research- Evaluating knowledge and evidence in practice’ by engaging in participatory methodologies to learn to network with the community and to facilitate inter-disciplinary and cross-cultural community participation in problem solving.
View the full module definitionEngage with your local community to identify a need and then work with them to plan, develop and deliver a community event focused on that need. You’ll develop your academic understanding of community profiling and needs analysis, and we’ll support you to develop key skills that are relevant to a range of possible careers. You’ll have opportunity to communicate with local community representatives and understand what they would like help with, to improve their lives. Work with them to run an event focused on the need that they tell you about. Along the way you’ll develop skills linked to fundraising, bid writing, event planning and project management – all of which will be useful in your future careers. As you’ll be in your final trimester of study, you’ll use all the skills you have gained and have the freedom to develop your own project to make it meaningful to you. Apart from the academic knowledge and skills you’ll develop, this will be an exciting experience to finish your studies at ARU.
View the full module definitionYou will develop your theoretical understanding of a range of potential barriers to learning, which may arise for pupils in their educational contexts. This module is taught through two themes. In theme 1 ‘Inclusion and SEND: the policy and practice context’ students will develop their understanding of the developing policy context, and theoretical models and perspectives on inclusion and the child with SEND. Using theory and policy to inform practice, students will develop their approaches to identifying and reducing barriers to learning and for personalising provision, with the aim of developing inclusive practice for all pupils in an educational setting. In theme 2 ‘Developmental Difficulties of Primary aged children’ students will extend their theoretical understanding from theme 1 to learn about commonly occurring developmental difficulties and their implications in an educational context on the basis of previous knowledge gained throughout Theme 2 of the strand Perspectives on the Child.
View the full module definition