There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

How can we as social scientists better understand and effectively respond to the main societal challenges we face today while meaningfully committing to shared values and ethics? This module is designed to help you further develop your skills and readiness as researchers and practitioners to achieve this aim. It does so by building on your learning so far at Masters level across various disciplines and topics.The module adopts a Problem and Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach to teaching, based on the idea that student inquiry should guide the learning process and the definition of the problem to be studied. In practice, throughout the module, you will engage with key theoretical and methodological concepts through interactive workshops and fieldwork. You will also have the opportunity to work individually and collaboratively on an extended project focusing on a social policy response to a key societal challenge of your choice. Topics that may inform your PBL project design include, but are not limited to, migration, climate and the environment, technology, crime, social inequality, and social justice.Your learning in the module will be assessed through a portfolio consisting of 1) individual learning diary reflecting your experience of academic and professional developments throughout the module, 2) a team written report, and 3) a group presentation, investigating a chosen societal challenge and accordingly potential responses to it.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the theoretical, methodological, and practical approaches to defining, understanding, and responding to societal challenges.

LO2: Critically reflect on the importance of positionality in the process of defining and responding to societal challenges, as well as the broader ethical implications of those responses.

LO3: Understand and be sensitive to how global and local perspectives, as well as power relations, impact the social research process and its implications for social policy making and implementation.

LO4: Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a professional manner with your peers during problem-solving processes.