SOCI3511: Community Placement

• At least 30 credits of level 2 modules from the Department of Sociology. Combined Honours Students (LMVO) must be affiliated with the Department of Sociology. All students must provide evidence of a successful DBS check before they are permitted onto the module.

• At least 20 credits of level 2 modules from the Department of Sociology.

• To enable students to develop as effective, independent and critical professionals within a relevant sociological/criminological context.
• To complement students' academic studies by providing a vocational insight through practical experience in a community context.
• To provide insights into the administration, management and working structure of the placement agency.
• To provide an opportunity for students to reflect upon, and critically analyse their experiences, and to use the lessons learnt to contextualise their academic studies, relate theory to practice, and inform both their studies and future career path.
• The placement can be complimentary to the Level 2 Research Methods in Action module and Level 3 Dissertation giving students an opportunity to locate in an agency related to their particular interests and focus of their research.

• Community Placement:
• Students are provided with a placement-experience within an approved community setting, learning from direct experience and observation. This may include activities such as:
• Shadowing organisation representatives;
• Assisting in organising, planning, and delivering an aspect of the organisation's activities. This can include group placement and setting a specific task within the placement;
• Analysing, reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of organisation activities.
• (Note: Community setting in this context refers to a statutory or voluntary sector organisation responding to a particular issue, policy agenda, community of identity, interest or geographic community).
• Seminar/workshop Content:
• An employment workshop with guests from a variety of different services and roles
• Reflexive practice and reflective writing
• Exploring the relationship between theory and practice
• Placement preparation and support, including:
• Roles and responsibilities
• Legal and ethical considerations
• Health and safety.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• By the end of this module students should have:
• An understanding of how sociological/criminological knowledge can be applied to professional contexts
• An understanding of the process of critical reflection and its role in supporting learning and practice
• An understanding of the influence, role and activities of key organisations in statutory, voluntary, NGO, or charitable settings;
• An understanding of the ethos, values, aims and purpose of the agency where the placement has taken place;
• An understanding of the principles, standards and ethical responsibilities related to working in a statutory, voluntary, NGO, or charitable setting;
• An appreciation of the nature of working with practitioners, service users, and stakeholders in professional settings.

Subject-specific Skills:

• By the end of this module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate theoretical understanding and application within an applied sociological/criminological context;
• Apply appropriate learning resources (including applied research and literature) to inform their practice;
• Plan, engage, evaluate and reflect within professional settings;
• Make a productive and professional contribution to a community organisation.

Key Skills:

• By the end of this module, students should be able to:
• Demonstrate their ability to communicate verbally and in writing, including using ICT;
• Work effectively as part of a team;
• Demonstrate independent learning strategies and problem solving skills;
• Take responsibility for their learning and professional development needs.

• The module learning, teaching and assessment strategy is designed to provide students with an experiential learning framework, within which they will develop a variety of key personal and professional skills relating to employability in a community organisation. The main focus of the module is on placement-based learning. This will be supplemented by the inclusion of seminars/workshops and individual tutorial support.
• Seminars: Seminars provide important context, skills and knowledge to support students in preparing for, undertaking, and reflecting on their placements, as well as preparing students for assessments.
• Tutorials: Individual tutorials will be offered to all students to appropriately support them through the placement process. This also allows for regular contact to be maintained between the module convenor and the students, to ensure that students are adequately supported in the work environment.
• The Placement: A 50 hour placement in an approved agency will permit students to develop applied understanding and experiences of a professional context. . The pattern of working can be flexible, and is negotiable between the student and the host placement agency. Students will be advised and supported in the identification of appropriate placement opportunities. A mentor will be identified in the agency who will take responsibility for ongoing support and ensuring the student is welcomed and offered opportunities for both learning from and contributing to the organisation.
• Independent Study - Preparation and Reading: Students are expected to engage in independent activities to develop key skills and knowledge relating to their placement setting, learning objectives, and assessments, support by a range of resources available via the Module Blackboard Learn Ultra site.

Placement Preparation Portfolio: - An optional 2,000 word portfolio demonstrating students' preparation for the placement, which may include personal professional documents such as CVs, research on the placement organisation, identification of learning objectives, and a review of relevant literature.

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