Faculty Booklet - The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine ...

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P O S T G R A D U A T E R E G U L A T I O N S & S Y L L A B U S E S 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3
THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
SEMESTEr 1 YEAr 2
COUrSE CODE: SOWK 6000 (SW69A)
COUrSE TITLE: rESEArCH DESIgN AND METHODOLOgY
NO. OF CrEDITS: 3
COUrSE DESCrIPTION: An essential aspect of a Masters
Programme, this course has been designed in keeping with
the overall vision of the Faculty of Social Sciences’ Social Work
Unit, which seeks to develop, promote and enhance the theory
and practice of ‘Developmental Social Work’ within a Caribbean
context. The course addresses and integrates philosophical,
theoretical and methodological issues that are subsumed in
and/or impact upon the administration and practice of social
work. It builds on the mandatory research courses that are part
of the Mediation Studies’ Master’s Programme.
research-Practice Linkages
In this course, students will undertake a community-based action
research project, which serves the functions of investigating a
specific social problem; providing a hands-on learning tool and
is also a method of applying and assessing research skills and
knowledge acquired. Through this medium students are able
to examine research-practice linkages as they impact on ‘real’
problems at the same time as they explore theory construction
and epistemological ideas.
At the end of the course, students would be able to:
1. Understand the relationship between philosophy, theory,
research and practice;
2. Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative
approaches for data collection in social work research;
3. Identify and minimise ethical issues in field research;
4. Understand and apply academic research skills within the
discipline of mediation as an aspect of social work through
a community research project;
5. Understand different intellectual traditions and their
relationship to the discipline of mediation as an aspect of
social work research;
6. Utilise the above to evaluate and enhance (i) effectiveness
of mediation and social work practitioners/administrators,
ii) to undertake research in the discipline of mediation as
an aspect of social work related fields;
Assessment
This course is examinable by 100% coursework.
SEMESTER 1 YEAR 2
COUrSE CODE: PSYC 6402 (PS64B)
COUrSE TITLE: THE PSYCHOLOgY OF COMMUNITY
CONFLICT
NO. OF CrEDITS: 3
COUrSE DESCrIPTION: This course examines the theoretical
frameworks, principles and practice of community and social
psychology. Students will develop skills to analyse conflict in
community systems and explore conflict resolution strategies,
and interventive strategies for resolving conflict in the
community context. The course will also explore the design and
evaluation of conflict prevention programs for populations at
risk.
Course Format
In accordance with the principles of community psychology,
teaching and learning in this course will draw on the resources,
knowledge and co-operation of the student attending the
course. The course format is based on a combination of lectures,
seminars, and group discussion, feedback and exchange.
Assessment
Coursework assignment 30%
Final examination 70%
COUrSE CODE: SOWK 6100
COUrSE TITLE: THESIS
NO. OF CrEDITS: 9
Master’s Thesis
The thesis is a requirement for completion of the programme
and the awarding of the Master of Science in Mediation degree.
It may be an extended literature review of an approved subject/
topic in the field of mediation, an approved independent
research project or a combination of the two.
The thesis is intended to demonstrate the student’s ability to do
an extended piece of research and analysis. The project should
be a sustained, creative, independent and original piece of
scholarship which should demonstrate the student’s mastery of
sound research practices, and the intellectual content acquired
in the Masters programme. Topics must be approved by the
Master’s Programme Director.
Candidates for the M.Sc program should prepare a manuscript
about 70 pages in length and are strongly encouraged to
begin work near the end of their first year. Students are also
encouraged to obtain a copy of A Guide for the Preparation
of Theses and Research Papers, this booklet is available from
the Faculty of Social Sciences. This booklet lists important
guidelines concerning the way in which the project should be
structured as well as detailed instructions on matters like typing
fonts, pagination, reference citation, bibliography etc.