SHN4992 - Ethics, Society and Employability

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Recognise the mission of Leeds Trinity University and critically discuss various ethical issues, such as diversity, social justice and the environment.
Explain programme specific ethical and social justice issues, debate different sides of the argument and demonstrate their academic skills.
Articulate their aspirations and goals for the future: whether through paid employment, activism, charitable work or other means in their personal development plan.
Evaluate the ongoing development of self-confidence and team and networking skills, reviewing personal strengths and areas for development.
Present information effectively for professional contexts such as a CV, covering letter and e. portfolio and demonstrate satisfactory performance during the placement period and reflect on their experience.

Content:

The module aims overall to introduce students to the social justice mission of Leeds Trinity University and invites them to consider a range of contemporary social issues, as well as their own personal and academic development. The module will help students to engage with a broad range of ethical topics and perspectives that are relevant to their specific programme.

It will help students transition in to higher education and introduce the learning and teaching approaches at Leeds Trinity, allowing students to integrate their own learning from personal experience with an ability to engage in an empathic, ethical and compassionate way with the wider world.

Core topics may include:

- The LTU mission
- Diversity
- Social justice
- The Environment
- Professional and career aspirations
- Preparation for a work placement

As it is a University wide module, we will be using a shared repository of materials which may be helpful to staff teams and some generic content may be commissioned from time to time for inclusion in the series of workshops by all programmes. There will also be a university-wide event delivered to all students in early Semester 1 around a topical issue. It is expected that programme teams will design the Digital Artefact assessment to incorporate reflection on this topic.

The second part of the module aims to encourage students to reflect on and enhance their employability; identify and apply for suitable placement opportunities; and prepare for and successfully complete a professional placement at the end of Semester 2.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Students will be presented with varying perspectives on ethical topics through various media, such as case studies, newspaper articles, videos, quizzes. There may be opportunities for multi-disciplinary discussions, where groups of students are brought together for some sessions. This module will use the time available in Professional Development Week to facilitate ethical reflection in a University-wide context.

Student engagement will be encouraged through negotiated topics that will allow them to explore areas of interest. The pedagogic approach will be based on student led enquiry, as encouraged in the LTA Strategy, which will encourage students to explore and voice their own perspectives and experiences.

The placement block is based on five weeks of full-time hours plus two weeks of Placement launch workshops; so, the teaching hours will not be in line with other content modules.

Workshops (e.g. 12 x 1.5hr) 6 Sem 1, 6 Sem 2
Hours: 18
Intended Group Size: variable

Event during professional development week
Hours: 8
Intended Group Size: 200+

Placement launch programme
Hours: 28
Intended Group Size: variable

Placement Block
Normally 5 weeks

Further details relating to assessment
Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. Each element submitted will be awarded 10 marks.

Professional placement must be passed.

Assessment:

001 Directed Activities x10 - variable length across both semesters 30%
002 Presentation of Digital Artefact; 5mins or 1,000 words; mid-semester 1 40%
003 Reflective diaries; equiv to 1,000 words; end of placement 30%
004 Professional Placement (7 weeks, 2 weeks prep & 5 weeks placement); Equivalent to 200 hrs; Pass/Fail; End of Sem 2 0%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Nicola Arjomandkhah
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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