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Professional Ethics at Keele |
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MA and Postgraduate Diploma in the Ethics of Social WelfareIntroductionThis part time course is designed for anyone with a professional or other serious interest in the areas of social welfare and justice. The course aims to deepen understanding of the philosophical basis of good practice, and to enhance the ability of practitioners to think systematically about the ethically challenging decisions they may face in the course of their work. The course is taught by lecturers in ethics who have a special interest and expertise in social welfare ethics, and there will also normally be input from specialists in law. From time to time expert speakers from outside Keele may also be invited to speak on the course. We regard high levels of student participation in discussion as particularly important for teaching and learning in this area, and employ teaching techniques which encourage this wherever possible. Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds within the fields of social welfare and justice, and from all over the UK, and potentially from Europe as well. Past and current students have reported that meeting and exchanging ideas with others who work in different fields and in different parts of the country is one of the major benefits of the course. The Ethics of Social Welfare teaching team have many years experience of teaching postgraduate applied ethics courses. We are well aware of the special problems and challenges which may face mature students and those combining study with full-time work, and therefore we do our utmost to offer a supportive and stimulating environment for learning. Each student is assigned a personal supervisor from the teaching team, whom they can contact for help or advice at any time during the course. A report in January 2001 from the Quality Assurance Agency, involving external assessors, awarded the top mark of 24 out of 24 for our Postgraduate Diploma / MA courses. View report in full. Entry RequirementsApplicants should have either a degree in a relevant subject, or appropriate professional qualifications and/or expertise. Applications are welcome from people with a professional or other serious interest in social welfare issues, such as (but not limited to) social workers, probation officers, police officers and voluntary workers in relevant areas. If your professional interests lie in the field of crime or policing, you may also wish to consider our MA in the Ethics of Policing and Criminal Justice. If you are unsure about your suitability for the course (or the course's suitability for you) please don't hesitate to email us (or phone 01782 734 084), for informal advice and further information. Click here for more information about making an application or to download an information pack. Course StructureThe course is specially structured so that it may be taken by practitioners in full-time employment. The innovative teaching structure allows students to combine study with full-time work, and family and other commitments. It also enables students from all over the country to attend, which enriches the learning experience. The first year of the course is the taught year, during which contact teaching time is organised into four intensive blocks of three days each, spread throughout the academic year. Dates of the teaching blocks for the next intake can be found here. Each teaching block is followed by a 4000 word assignment, usually from a choice of three titles. The essay will be returned (with feedback) at the next teaching block. Students who fail an assignment may be permitted to re-submit. Candidates who successfully complete all four assignments will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in the Ethics of Social Welfare. Students who pass the first year will have the option to proceed onto the MA year and write a dissertation (15,000-20,000 words) on a subject agreed with their supervisor and the Course Director within the area of the Ethics of Social Welfare. There are no specific attendance requirements during the second year, though students are expected to keep in regular contact with their supervisors, either by arranging meetings in person, or by telephone or email. Candidates who successfully complete the dissertation will be awarded the Degree of Master of the Arts (MA) in the Ethics of Social Welfare. It is also possible to take the course full time over one year, rather than part time over two, and to write the MA dissertation at the same time as the Diploma teaching blocks and assignments. Course ContentModule 1: Introduction to Moral and Social TheoryThis module examines those parts of moral and social theory which are especially relevant to the work of social-welfare practitioners and policy makers. Topics covered normally include: the nature of moral theory and its relationship to practice; relativism and tolerance; the relationship between law and morality; the role and status of ethical codes. Module 2: Autonomy, Responsibility and PunishmentThis module aims to enhance students' understanding of several different conceptions of autonomy, responsibility and punishment, and examines the way in which these notions can inform ethical decision making. Topics covered normally include: information handling (e.g. issues of disclosure, confidentiality and privacy); compromised autonomy (e.g. issues relating to mental illness and addiction); the moral and legal status of the child; the functions and justification of punishment. Module 3: Equality, Discrimination and RightsThis module explores a number of competing conceptions of equality, discrimination and rights. Topics covered normally include: philosophical theories of discrimination and equality; discrimination and `affirmative action'; specific forms of discrimination (e.g. age, gender, race); feminism and the `ethics of care'; the nature and status of moral and legal rights. Module 4: Ethics and Social Welfare - contemporary debatesThis module explores some current controversies in social and political philosophy that are of particular relevance to social welfare practitioners. Topics which might be covered include ethical issues relating to the family (e.g. the respective rights of children and parents and the legitimacy of state intervention); the tension between individual rights and community values; and the idea of a multicultural political system. The module also includes sessions on research methods for those intending to progress to the MA. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)When should I apply? Is there a closing date for applications? Please see our Course Dates and Applications Deadlines page for the latest information on closing dates. The closing date for applications will also be stated in the information pack. Occasionally we can accept late applications but this will mean a delay in obtaining access to the library and computer systems etc. We do advise that you apply as early as possible as our courses are on occasion over-subscribed. Click here for more information about making an application. What are the fees? Is there any funding available? Please contact us for the latest fees information. Like all UK universities, Keele has different rates for "home" (UK and EU students) and "overseas" students. Fee status is determined by residency rather than nationality. More information on what your fee status is likely to be can be found on this "ready reckoner" produced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Unfortunately we are not currently able to offer any assistance with fees. We would recommend enquiring with employers about any training funds that are available through their organisation and some of our current students have been successful in obtaining whole or part funding for the course. Do you accept students from outside the UK? We do. Fees from students from all EU Member States are the same as for home students. The same admissions criteria apply to overseas applicants, but we would also normally expect English language test scores of at least IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) from students from non-English-speaking countries. Excellent English language skills are particularly important for this kind of course, as small differences in language can make a large difference in meaning in ethics and applied philosophy. Is the course suitable for me? If you have an interest in the ethical questions that are raised by work in the areas of social welfare, and have either a degree in a relevant subject, or a professional qualification and/or strong personal experience in this area then you are suitable for the course. This case study might be useful in illustrating the kinds of techniques that we use on the course. The idea of returning to education (particularly at postgraduate level) might seem very daunting to some. However, our course is designed specifically for practitioners, and assumes no prior knowledge other than professional experience in dealing with ethical issues in the field of social welfare. In the first teaching block there are introductory sessions on how to construct and analyse ethical arguments, and also on the style, content and structure required for a good ethics essay. Students will also have the opportunity to submit a draft plan of their first assignment for comments and feedback prior to the final deadline for submission. If you have any questions about the course, about your suitability, or whether it meets your particular needs, please contact us for an informal chat. How many hours per week will it take? It's difficult to give a definite answer, as this will obviously vary from student to student and from week to week. In addition to the four teaching blocks, we expect that the time commitment required will be around eight or nine hours per week for the majority of people. Although the course is designed to fit around work and family responsibilities, it is still a big commitment. Is accommodation provided during the taught blocks? Do the course fees include accommodation? Students are responsible for booking their own accommodation, and this is not included in the course fees. However, a list of accommodation in the local area will be provided before the course starts. Students may be able to obtain accommodation at a discounted rate from the University Management Centre during teaching blocks. The Management Centre is a conference venue (not a student hall of residence) and is located about fifteen minutes walk from the main university campus. I live a long way away from Keele. How will I be able to get access to books and journals? As well as Keele library, our students also have online access to a wide range of books, journal articles and other materials through the ATHENS password system. Keele is a member of the UK SCONUL scheme, which means that our students can borrow books from most other university libraries in the UK. Keele students also have access to the Blackwell Reference Online, The Philosophers' Index, Lawtel, Westlaw, LexisNexis Butterworths, and netLibrary. A Library and IT training session is included in the first module of the course. More information on electronic resources can be found on our Information for Current Students page. Course tutors regularly check the availability of books on the reading list for each assignment, and try to recommend readings that are not only in the Keele library, but which are also either available online or as part of a reasonably-priced edited collection. Assignment questions and reading lists for the whole first year are contained in the course handbook in order to allow students to plan ahead. What areas have MA students written about in their dissertations? Some students start the course with a clear idea about what they want to write about - often an ethical issue from within their own practice - but the vast majority of students find and develop particular interests as the course progresses and they learn more about ethical theory, so don't worry if you have no clear idea what to write about at the moment. Here is a far-from-exhaustive list of some of the areas that students have written about in the past:
If there is a particular area you wish to write about, and would like to discuss this prior to applying, please contact us. Does Keele University offer any other courses that might of interest to social welfare professionals? The School of Criminology, Education, Sociology, and Social Work runs a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including social work training courses. Also, the School of Law runs a popular MA courses in Child Care Law and Practice. What support is available for disabled students or students with particular learning needs? See our disabilites and equal opportunities pages. Application PackYou can download a full information pack here. However, if you prefer, we would be very happy to send you a hard copy of the information through the post. It is quite a lot to download, and the colour leaflet may take a heavy toll on your printer cartridge!
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