An award of the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex
The information contained within this course specification is correct as at 20th February 2013.
UCAS Course Code / UCS Course Code: XC38 BA/ECSPsy
Course Summary
The ECS part of the degree is designed for anyone wanting to work with or for children and/or their families and explores children, early childhood and children’s services in some depth. The primary focus is children from birth to eight years but it also covers conception through to when a child is approximately eleven years of age (the natural completion of the primary educational stage). It takes a multi/ inter-disciplinary approach. This means it includes educational, health, welfare, developmental and social psychology, sociology, legal, philosophical, political and economic perspectives designed to develop knowledge, understanding and relevant skills. To that end there are a series of mandatory and option modules to support this.
The Psychology part of the degree deals with human cognition across the life span, behaviour, action and interaction at different levels. The psychology discipline was developed to examine and explain increased human awareness and the social differentiation that accompanied the social, economic, political and cultural transitions that have taken place to the present day.
Students studying joint routes undertake 50% of their modules in each one of the routes. As there are mandatory modules on both routes there is less choice in undertaking option modules at each level.
In the first year or Level 4 emphasis is placed on ensuring underpinning subject knowledge across the two routes.
In the second year or Level 5 students begin to apply their developing knowledge, understanding and skills to the work environment, specific issues, situations and/or themes. We encourage students to develop an enquiring mind and attitude to their studies so they can begin to challenge and critique what is already known in the field.
In the final year or Level 6 you will be expected to exhibit autonomy and take much more responsibility for your own learning- lots of reading will develop your ability to critically analyse and evaluate information from a wide range of sources.
Entry Requirements
In order to satisfy the minimum general requirements for admission candidates must:
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Be at least 18 years of age on 1 October of the year for which admission is sought; and
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Have a minimum of 280 UCAS tariff points
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GCSE maths and English at C or above or equivalent
An applicant whose first language is not English will be required to produce evidence of their competence in the English language in accordance with the Institution’s UCS admissions policy||. In considering individual applications, evidence will be sought of personal, professional and educational experiences and competencies, as appropriate, to provide indications of an ability to:
The Head of Division may deem the following to have satisfied the general and course-specific requirements for admission:
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Candidates twenty-one years of age and above who do not satisfy the general and specific entry qualification requirements, but who submit satisfactory evidence of having achieved qualifications which are deemed to be equivalent. Particular attention is given to the ability to succeed at a level 3 before entering level 4 of an undergraduate degree
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Candidates of twenty-one years of age and above who do not satisfy the general and specific qualification requirements, but who submit satisfactory evidence of the capacity and attainments requisite to enable them to pursue the course proposed in the form of a 1000 word essay.
Course Aims
The aims of the Early Childhood Studies and Psychology course at University Campus Suffolk are:
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To develop knowledge and critical understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of Early Childhood Studies and Psychology
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To develop systematic knowledge and critical understanding of early childhood and psychology from multiple perspectives
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To encourage development of generic skills/ transferable skills of value in employment, further study and personal development
Learning Outcomes
E= Early Childhood Studies, P= Psychology
Upon completion of level 6 students will be able to demonstrate:
Early Childhood Studies
E1. Systematic knowledge and critical understanding of key aspects of early childhood
E2. Well-developed ability to reflect on a range of perspectives in relation to early childhood (philosophical, historical, psychological, sociological, educational, cultural and health, welfare, legal, political and economic)
E3. An enhanced ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry
E4. In-depth conceptual understanding that enables the student to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of the discipline
E5. A well developed ability to apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding
E6. The ability to communicate effectively information, ideas, problems and solutions in a variety of appropriate forms
Psychology
P1. Knowledge and critical understanding of a range of theories and perspectives in the analysis of human behaviour
P2. A good knowledge and critical understanding of a range of influences on psychological functioning, and how they are conceptualised across biological, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology and individual differences
P3. Knowledge of a range of research paradigms, research methods and measurement techniques, including statistical analysis.
P4. Critical awareness of theoretical developments and ethical issues
P5. An appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge
P6. And Adopt multiple perspectives
P7. Detect meaningful patterns in behaviour and experience
P8. Competence in research skills through practical activities
P9. Initiate, design, conduct and report an empirically-based research project under appropriate supervision
P10. Communicate ideas and research findings by written, oral and visual means
P11. Interpret and use numerical, statistical and other forms of data
Key Skills
E/P The generic skills/ transferable skills necessary to exercise initiative, personal responsibility, decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts, and to work collaboratively with others.
Key Skills, also known as graduate key skills, transferable skills or general skills, comprise communication, information technology, problem solving, numeracy, working with others and improving own learning.
Module Framework
Level 4
ECS 1 module from: Perspectives of Childhood| - 40 credits or
Development and Learning| - 40 credits
Plus 1 module from:
Children and Social Policy| - 20 credits or
Children & Health| - 20 credits
Psychology
Social Science Research Skills|- 20 credits
Plus
Foundations of Biological-Cognitive Psychology| -20 credits
Foundations of Social-Developmental Psychology| -20 credits
+ Plus Peer Assisted Learning (Monday 1.00-2.00 or Tuesday 1.00-2.00)
Level 5
Either ECS Research Methods in Early Childhood| - 40 credits Or
Psychology Quantitative Data analysis in Social Science| - 20 credits and Qualitative Data analysis in Social Science| - 20 credits
ECS Safeguarding Children| - 20 credits
Plus 1 module from:
Social Psychology and Children| - 20 credits
Children’s Health & Wellbeing| - 20 credits
Play and Learning| - 20 credits
Children’s Geographies| - 20 credits
Psychology
Youth Culture and Identity| - 20 credits
Biological-Cognitive Psychology| - 20 credits
Social-Developmental Psychology| - 20 credits
Level 6
Either ECS Research Dissertation| Or Psychology Research Dissertation| – both 40 credits
ECS Plus 1 or 2 modules from:
International Perspectives on Health & Education| - 40 credits
Early Childhood Intervention| - 20 credits
Communication and Creativity| - 20 credits
Management in Early Year Contexts| - 20 credits
The Politics of Childhood| - 20 credits
Psychology Plus 1 or 2 modules from:
Applied Studies| - 20 credits
Personality and Intelligence| - 20 credits
Cognition| - 20 credits
Psychology and Technology|- 20credits
Contemporary issues in Psychology| - 20 credits
Abnormal Psychology| - 20 credits
Forensic Psychology| - 20 credits
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The ECS and PSYC course teams have a commitment to high quality teaching and learning. At level 4 (Certificate level), emphasis is placed on ensuring a sound knowledge of principles underpinning key subject areas and the development of key skills. The main teaching methods are lectures, seminars, group work, presentations and individual activities.
At level 5 (Diploma level), students are expected to develop an enquiring attitude to their studies and should corroborate or challenge assertions made. Students will be taking more responsibility for their own learning through extended personal reading and wider ranging module tasks. The main teaching methods are as in level 4 with the addition of discussions and debates. There is an increasing expectation that students will contribute actively to learning through reading and student-led seminars.
At level 6 (Honours level), students are required to take major responsibility for their own learning, exhibiting autonomy and contribution to the development of peer learning through seminar presentations and self-directed activities. Considerable emphasis is placed on developing the ability to critically analyse and evaluate information from a range of sources and in a variety of formats, in order to draw conclusions.
This enables students to meet the challenges and demands of employment in early year and childcare professions, allied professions, graduate positions and /or post-graduate study.
A range of assessment strategies are used including exams, essays, reports, case studies, book reviews, presentations, portfolio, workshop reports, lab reports, computer-based assessments and informed discussion and debate via module seminars and blogs.. Each strategy is appropriate for the module and learning outcomes.
Timetable
Most modules are delivered in a structured week by week format from September to June. The teaching is broadly divided into thirty weeks, 24 teaching weeks and 6 assessment weeks. A full-time student is expected to take 120credits each academic year. These may comprise of 20 or 40 credit modules. A part-time student will take up to 80 credits each year.
Lecture and seminar sessions for the modules usually run in the daytime between 9am and 6pm. Students can expect to have to attend university for between two and four hours per module per week and to spend at least an equivalent amount of time per week in independent study. This study requirement will often be higher when assessments are due. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course.
Tutorial and Study Support
There is extensive tutorial support available to students throughout the course – both academic advice and personal tutorial support. Information and advice on study skills is always available with frequent learning opportunities to develop and improve. Tutorial support will be in line with the UCS Tutorial Policy|.
Opportunities on Completion of the Course
Graduates can progress to a wide variety of positions, some to local employment; others look for specialist opportunities further afield. Many graduates opt to pursue further academic qualifications such as MA or MSc degrees.
ECS graduates currently go on to a range of careers in the early years, as well as completing postgraduate qualifications, in order to work in the health, legal, education and social work fields. Students to date have gone on to gain employment as key personnel in Children Centre’s; Development Workers – Local Authority, Private, Voluntary Sectors and Children Centre’s; as Family Support Workers - LA, Voluntary Sector; SENCOs; Management and Practitioner posts in Statutory, Private, Voluntary sector contexts; Early Years Advisers; Post-graduate study PGCE- Primary, PGCE- Post compulsory; Masters in allied subject areas.
Psychology graduates have begun careers in legal aid, counselling, social work, careers advice, refugee council, behavioural support, assistant psychologist, health promotion, probation, arrest support, and prison service.
Employers value the qualities and skills of graduates within the social science framework, and most students find suitable work within a short time of graduation.
Alternative Format Should you require this course specification in an alternative format, please contact us on 01473 338000.
University Campus Suffolk reserves the right to amend the information in this course specification as and when required.