Contemporary Issues in Safeguarding and Vulnerability
30 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module seeks to develop students understanding of the context in which safeguarding takes place and links this to debates around the appropriateness and effectiveness of policy and practice. In doing this, students will explore concepts of vulnerability and risk and how they affect working practices as well as critically evaluate the current policy context.
Voice, Rights, and Representation
30 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module seeks to develop student understanding of the historical, philosophical, sociological, legal, and political perspectives surrounding vulnerable adults, youth, and children. It will include an overview and critique of dominant perspectives both domestically and internationally, around Voices, Rights, and Representations and use this as a basis for the evaluation of policy and practice issues.
Research Design: Methodology and Methods
30 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles underpinning effective research designs in education and the social sciences at the master’s level. Beginning with a reflective approach to their own ontological and epistemological positioning in relation to both their research design and established research paradigms, students will explore issues of research methodology, ethics, and understanding in relation to a chosen field, to enhance and inform professional and/ or academic practice. Students will relate their chosen issue critically to current literature and need to critically analyze the validity, reliability, and appropriateness of their research processes. Students will design a research project, which will include a framework for the collection and analysis/interpretation of primary data.
Dissertation
60 Credits
(Compulsory)
The Dissertation module provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate a systematic understanding of research, and a critical awareness of current problems in professional practices, by designing and undertaking a small-scale research study. Following ethical approval and justification of research methodology and methods, students will normally collect, analyze and interpret primary data and reflect on the ethical implications of their research. However, alternatively, students may develop a. systematic understanding of knowledge by undertaking a non-empirical study in consultation with their supervisor.
The Developing Child
30 Credits
(Optional)
This module aims to allow students to focus on the child development subject area in greater depth than they encountered in their previous courses or experiences. It will enable students to become more specialized in child development and allow them to apply their knowledge in practice. This module will allow students to advance their skills in observation and assessment of child development, supporting their planning of children’s next steps. Students will be encouraged to use the Statutory Framework (EYFS, DfE 2017) in a critical way. Although the module will cover areas of development such as Language, Cognition, Physical and Personal, Social and Emotional, a holistic approach will be prominent throughout. The importance of safeguarding, particularly around safeguarding babies and young children will also be included within the module. Theories and current research around child development will be critically explored and applied to practical situations.
Effective Early Years Pedagogy and Practice
30 Credits
(Optional)
This module will enable students to develop a critical understanding of children’s learning and development in relation to the role of the pedagogue. It will facilitate a critical awareness and understanding of what promotes effective practice and pedagogy in early childhood, making links to international comparisons as well as focusing on the role of leadership in developing practice. This module will also include references to theory, research, and, where appropriate, practice. There will be opportunities to examine current thinking and research in early childhood, encouraging students to analyze and critically evaluate links between personal principles, early childhood theory, and where appropriate, their developing practice. Students will embark on a process of critical analysis and evaluation to enhance the quality of provision for young children and their families.
Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Welfare and Care: Policy, History, and Practice
30 Credits
(Optional)
This module is designed to consider the historical and contemporary landscape of Pastoral Welfare and Care in the UK and other international contexts. In particular, it will focus on the ways in which pastoral welfare and care have been shaped by the changing needs of children and young people in a range of education and school settings. The module will include a critical discussion of emerging and dominant perspectives that affect the lives of children and young people and a critical evaluation of the practices and interventions that have been offered in response.
Leading Pastoral Welfare and Care in Educational Settings
30 Credits
(Optional)
This module is intended to give practitioner-students insight into the key characteristics of effective leadership and management in the domain of pastoral welfare and care in education. The module considers common and defining features of pastoral practices and the pastoral curriculum in relation to research and best practice in leadership and change management in educational settings. The module explores conceptions of pastoral pedagogy and how the leadership of pastoral welfare and care can be effectively implemented, sustained, and dispersed in a diversity of educational settings. Ultimately, the module aims to support participants in undertaking and evaluating the leadership of pastoral welfare and care at a range of levels in educational organizations.
Research Design: Methodology and Methods
30 Credits
(Optional)
This module will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles underpinning effective research designs in education and the social sciences at the master’s level. Beginning with a reflective approach to their own ontological and epistemological positioning in relation to both their research design and established research paradigms, students will explore issues of research methodology, ethics, and understanding in relation to a chosen field, to enhance and inform professional and/ or academic practice. Students will relate their chosen issue critically to current literature and need to critically analyze the validity, reliability, and appropriateness of their research processes. Students will design a research project, which will include a framework for the collection and analysis/interpretation of primary data.