Bath Spa University

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Health Studies

Health Studies is an area of fast growing interest and importance, both academically and vocationally: it deals with 'real world' concerns.

Health and social care issues are some of the most hotly debated issues of our time. At Bath Spa University we concentrate on various concepts of health and explore the relationships between individuals' lifestyle choices and more general social / economic factors. We also examine the causes and consequences of the different ways that 'care' is delivered and how this is driven by policy concerns.

Course Structure and Content

Health Studies is available to study as part of a Combined Award, so you will have chosen a second subject to complement it. Throughout your studies you will follow modules from Health Studies and from your second subject.

Year 1 (level 4)

• Exploring Health and Social Care: this is the core introductory module that focuses on the notion that health is a complex and contested concept, which is determined by social and economic conditions; that the context of care varies from that provided informally by families, to those services delivered by professionals; and finally, the module introduces you to the development of health and social care policies in the UK.
• Exploring Childhood: this optional module explores the meaning of childhood at different times and in different cultures; you will examine the physical and emotional development of children within the changing nature of the family; look at the different ways that each of us learns about our identity as children and understand more about recent legislation that concerns childhood, such child protection.

Year 2 (level 5)

Compulsory module:

• Health and Well-being: Individuals and Communities. This is the compulsory module that examines the barriers to 'well being' for vulnerable groups and then considers the influences that shapes policy in the field of health and social care. In the final part of the module we consider international inequalities and the global challenges these present.

Optional modules:

• Social Science Research: examines the research methods used currently to measure health and encourages you to start taking a more critical approach to the papers, articles and books you read.
• Public Health and Health Promotion: aims to broaden your understanding of the variety of ways that physical, emotional, environmental and social factors impact on our health; you will examine the role of professionals in improving the nation's health and consider the extent to which health improvement is an individual responsibility or a social problem. This module also enables you to take a critically look at a variety of actual health promotion activities.

Year 3 (level 6)

All modules at level 6 in Health Studies are optional:

• Dissertation: the dissertation is an opportunity to carry out a more detailed academic study in a particular selected area - possibly focusing on a topic which matches your ideal career, or simply something that interests you. It is an exercise in independent learning, but one that is supported by research training, group seminars, on-line resources and regular contact with an allocated academic member of staff who will be your supervisor.
• Disability: a life course approach considers the way disability and disabling practices affect people of all generations but in different ways. You will examine the different ways that notions of disability have been used at different times and across cultures - particularly in the media - to help you understand more about the importance of social construction of what is regarded as normal and what might be considered different.
• Debates in Health and Social Care: looks at some of the most important challenges facing contemporary health care systems. Examining real-world issues and problems means that this module is of particular benefit to you if you are considering employment in the public or private health sectors.
• Psychology of Health: aims to broaden and deepen your understanding of psychological perspectives on the relationship between mind and body in health.
• Community Engagement: you have an opportunity to learn more about the voluntary sector. The relationship between the voluntary and community sector with other support and provider organisations is explored. In this module you are able to do some volunteering and to reflect on that experience, so if you already do some voluntary work or are thinking about volunteering this might contribute to your learning.
• Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care: if you are interested in pursuing or developing a management career in the public sector, this module will help you by examining organisational structures, management and leadership styles, managing performance and partnership working. These are all critical issues in current management thinking.
• Health and Social Care Work-based Evaluation: if you are working in an approved health and or social care setting you may be able to use your experience to inform your practice and problem-solving skills to make appropriate changes to your ways of working.

Teaching Methods and Resources

You will learn most effectively by becoming involved in the subject and actively participating in seminars and tutorials. Usually lectures are used to introduce you to ideas and debates; seminars and workshops are your opportunity to ask questions, discuss the issues and develop key skills; we provide tutorials to give you opportunities for one-to-one support. We also use a range of external speakers from a variety of occupations in the health and social care sectors to help you understand more about health and social care.

All Health Studies modules are supported by Minerva VLE, our on-line learning resource. Whether you're on campus or working at home, you can access materials such as handbooks, supporting notes or documents, research papers and assessment guidance. You can also join discussion groups to exchange ideas with other students, contact a tutor for advice, and submit coursework.

Assessment Methods

You will experience a wide variety of assessment types across our Health Studies modules. These are designed to help you to learn more about your own strengths. Each module is assessed by a different combination of assessments, with an emphasis on coursework such as essay plans, essays, seminar folders, presentations, research projects and book reviews. Exams do feature in a minority of modules, but form only a small part of the assessment.

Entry Requirements

220-260 UCAS Tariff points (eg BCD; BB+AS c).

Alternative qualifications welcome.