HS193-4-FY-SO:
Lifespan Development
2023/24
Health and Social Care (School of)
Southend Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 28 June 2024
30
07 September 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA L500 Social Work,
BA L500CO Social Work,
BA L550 Social Care,
BA L550CO Social Care
The module will provide an overview of human development within a framework of research and evidence based practice and involving exploration and analysis. The module will support and encourage the students to explore the interactions of lifespan development and social work practice.
Social workers engage with individuals and groups at all stages of the life-course. Understanding of theories and perspectives which shape the individual life-course, including structural, psychological and biological factors, and the interplay between these, is essential to effective social work practice. The goal of this module is to provide students with the skills needed to understand life course development and its importance to social work practice
Aims:
1. Provide students with an understanding of different theories of lifespan development their application in social work practice
2. Provide an opportunity for students to apply skills of observation and develop an understanding of the importance of these skills for social work practice
3. Provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to identify and critique socially constructed concepts of normal/abnormal development
The module provides the student with an introduction and overview of the theoretical approaches and perspectives relevant to lifespan development in social work. The module focusses on the bio-psycho-social model of development with an emphasis on attachment and neurodevelopment. The module also covers definitions of development: including pre-birth, birth, childhood, adolescence, middle age, old age and end of life/death. A key focus of this module is on understanding how concepts of the lifespan, and ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ development, are socially constructed and culturally specific
On successful completion of this module, the [learner] will be able to:
1. Describe and critique one theoretical approach with a socio-neurological focus and relate it to lifespan development
2. Explain the process and use of a child study and the importance of effective observation for social work practice
3. Relate aspects of lifespan development, socio-psychological and cultural influence to a variety of situations and contexts
4. Examine power in the construction of normality and pathology
Social workers engage with individuals and groups at all stages of the life-course. Understanding of theories and perspectives which shape the individual life-course, including structural, psychological and biological factors, and the interplay between these, is essential to effective social work practice. The goal of this module is to provide students with the skills needed to understand life course development and its importance to social work practice.
The module provides the student with an introduction and overview of the theoretical approaches and perspectives relevant to lifespan development in social work. The module focusses on the bio-psycho-social model of development with an emphasis on attachment and neurodevelopment. The module also covers definitions of development: including pre-birth, birth, childhood, adolescence, middle age, old age and end of life/death. A key focus of this module is on understanding how concepts of the lifespan, and 'normal' and 'abnormal' development, are socially constructed and culturally specific.
Overview:
The module will combine a number of different teaching approaches, incorporating lectures, group work, computer skill based sessions and student led session to introduce key concepts in social work research while relating it to everyday practice.
Lectures:
Module lead, external contributors and other members of teaching staff.
Independent:
Small/ PBL group work and independent work on searching the literature and any research related activities. Practice and presentations to be discussed on sphere of practice.
Placement:
The student will undertake two short placements. The first, a child study, will involve a 5-day observation of a child, requiring the student to apply relevant developmental theories. The second, the adult study, will not be assessed, but will involve participation in an older person’s activity group.
Online:
Online resources will be made available on Moodle to support student learning.
Tutorials:
It is the student’s responsibility to seek tutorial support as needed.
Skills:
The student will be expected to engage in a range of research related activities: searching the literature, visiting the library, attending seminars and participating in conferences.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Single Answer Multiple Choice |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Multiple Answer Multiple Choice |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Single Answer Multiple Choice (21/05/2024) |
|
|
| Coursework |
Multiple Answer Multiple Choice (21/05/2024) |
|
|
| Coursework |
Child Study |
|
|
| Coursework |
Child Study |
|
60% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Mx Ana Olea Fernandez, email: ao19443@essex.ac.uk.
Ana Olea Fernandez
Sarah Wiblin ugsocwork@essex.ac.uk
T: 01702328229
E: ugsocialworkqueries@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
Dr Panagiotis Pentaris
Goldsmiths, University of London
Programme Leader
Available via Moodle
Of 60 hours, 60 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.