2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FOSS2002 Social Sciences and Emergencies: Theories, Contexts and Approaches

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Papiya Mazumdar
Email: P.Mazumdar@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

FOSS2001 State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will introduce students to the critical role of the social sciences in public understanding and experience of emergencies, such as environmental disasters, pandemics, epidemics, and social and political conflicts. It will provide them with the conceptual tools and methodological approaches to critically evaluate the response of the government, communities, state institutions and other sectors of society to emergencies and their aftermaths.

Objectives

This module will:
• Highlight the significance of social science knowledge in explaining how society experiences emergencies and their consequences.
• Introduce students to social science theories and methods that will equip them to undertake a critical analysis of the role of the social sciences in emergencies.
• Equip the students to synthesize and present written evidence of the significance of the social sciences in emergencies.

Learning outcomes
Students who complete this module successfully will be able to:
1. Critically assess the social dimensions and experiences of emergencies.
2. Systematically explore and analyse social problems, processes and solutions in practice during an emergency and after it.
3. Apply conceptual and methodological skills from the social sciences to social issues relating to emergencies.
4. Apply theories and evidence to explain the social, political or legal issues underlying an emergency.
5. Critically analyse community and political responses to an emergency
6. Summarise, synthesise and produce a social science-based narrative of emergencies.

Skills Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the modules successfully will acquire the following skills:
1. Apply critical thinking skills to a range of social issues
2. Deploy system thinking skills to a variety of social debates
3. Communicate complex information, including concepts, verbally and in written form
4. Employ ethical practices in the use of multiple academic sources to support your understanding of own work
5. Academic integrity: Showcase evidence of independent thought

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Tutorial	4	1.00	4.00
Independent online learning hours			11.00
Private study hours			163.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Discussions forums lead by unit leaders; Q&As with unit leader, and module convenors.
Also, the two last Q&A sessions will be utilised for formative feedback on course work.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/12/2024

Disclaimer

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