Urban Horticulture modules

 

 

Social Sciences

Autumn Term: October 2011 - December 2011
Spring Term: January 2012 - March 2012
Summer Term: April 2012 - June 2012

Introduction to Developmental Psychology
Development Psychology focuses on life span development and deals with the ways in which individuals function as people, from first attachments as babies, to how we develop a sense of our ‘self’. This includes issues of gender, the ways we develop our knowledge and understanding, our ability to use and understand language, and the ways we develop our sense of right and wrong. We will investigate these areas by considering the theories of key researchers such as Freud, Piaget, Bandura and Erikson. The study of attachments will consider ‘cupboard love’ and ‘monotropy’ theories and the role of ‘fathers’ as attachment figures, in addition to the effects of separation and maternal deprivation hypothesis. We will also investigate the ‘nature vs nurture’ aspects of development and social influence and roles attached to each gender. We will conclude by considering a range of critical life events such as ageing, retirement, death and grieving.
Julie Knowles BSc PGCE
Term: Autumn
Day: Wednesday
Start Date: 05 October 2011
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Back to the Top

 

Urban Horticulture: Society, Food Security and Health
It is not only what we eat, but the way we obtain it that has an impact on our health - both on our individual physical and mental wellbeing, and the health of society as a whole. In this module we will study the impacts of food growing on mental, physical and community health, and on education and employment as strong determinants of these. We will start with a historical review of the relationship between food production relations and society. We will then analyse industrial food supply chains, the distribution of profits between different links in chains, and their effects on food security. We will focus on the ‘community food security’ concept which has gained ground in the USA. The module will also explore educational and therapeutic uses of horticulture for different ages and target groups, with visits to/speakers from local community growing schemes working with different groups.
Catherine Heinemeyer BSc MSc
Term: Autumn
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 06 October 2011
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Back to the Top

Spring Term: January 2012 - March 2012

 

Introduction to UK Politics and Political Institutions
We live in exciting and changing times with regards to our political system and its institutions. MPs apparently have moats and duck houses and politicians have been scrutinised like seldom before; the UK might not be as united as we think, with the devolved seats of government; the European Union exerts considerable influence over our legislative processes; electoral reform debates have highlighted differences of opinion at the highest levels of the Coalition Government; and the tide has turned on Labour, with them settled in to the opposition benches after so long at the helm. What does all this mean to you? Do you understand what Parliament compromises and what its component parts do? How is power balanced across the UK and what role do the people have in all of this? This module explores these questions and more, giving students a broad introduction to UK politics.
Adrian Lee BA PhD PGCAP FHEA
Term: Spring
Day: Monday
Start Date: 09 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Back to the Top

 

Urban Horticulture: Scaling Up to the Community - National and Global Level
This module introduces the diversity of urban horticulture and local food initiatives currently being developed locally and globally, and prepares students for practical and strategic involvement in them. It includes an optional volunteering placement with a local food organisation such as YUMI or Edible York. We will begin with an intense focus on the theory of common pool resources and social capital, and explore how these apply to real-life situations in the urban horticulture movement. We will then study a wide variety of approaches, from Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to local currencies, to allotment self-management, to farmers’ markets, to ‘Edible Cities’ projects. This study is enlivened through workshops with expert visiting speakers, and practical exercises to familiarise students with the practical, legal, social and economic challenges of implementing food projects (e.g. a farmers’ market in the classroom, role-playing a meeting to set up a CSA).
Catherine Heinemeyer BSc MSc
Term: Spring
Day: Monday
Start Date: 09 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Back to the Top

 

Journeying Through the Life Course
From the cradle to the grave, life’s journey is full of challenges, uniquely experienced activities and intimate and group interactions, creating policy questions for governments and welfare providers. This module explores the different periods of our lives from the mysterious world of our mother’s womb, through our childhoods and adult lives, discussing the significant characteristics of, and issues faced by, people at these different times. Using insight from psychology, sociology, and social policy, individual lives and social interactions, personal experiences and policies will be explored. Classes will identify and debate the similarities and differences between social groups at different stages of the life course and develop an understanding of how our ageing, gender, ethnicity, and ‘class’ influence things such as our educational achievements, relationships, careers, and retirements. Using contemporary social research, students will also examine social policies, discussing their aims to regulate, protect, empower and influence our lives.
Adrian Lee BA PhD PGCAP FHEA
Term: Spring
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 10 January 2012
Time: 1.15-3.15pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Back to the Top

 

The Psychology of Intelligence
Concepts of intelligence change throughout the human life span and across cultures around the world. In 1996, the most powerful psychological association in the world (the American Psychological Association), gathered 11 leading experts together to write a defining paper on the subject of intelligence. This module will offer a basic understanding of some of the issues and debates associated with it. Students will be introduced to the key theories in intelligence across the life span and across cultures, with consideration of applications in assessment of intelligence. Class discussions will focus on the ‘nature vs nurture’ debate within intelligence, the questions that emerge from the measurement of intelligence, and the gender differences in intelligence and emotional intelligence. The module will conclude by considering the application of intelligence in education and the workplace.
Julie Knowles BSc PGCE
Term: Spring
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 12 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Back to the Top

Summer Term: April 2012 - June 2012

 

Introduction to Social Psychology
Social Psychology is the study of how individuals are influenced by others. This module aims to introduce students to key topics in social psychology, including attitudes, groups, conformity, prejudice and aggression.
In order to understand how we are influenced by others, we must have a sense of ‘self’ in the social world. We can then begin to make sense of subjects such as group behaviours, why we are attracted to certain others, what contributes to our fist impressions of others, and what influences our ‘helping’ behaviour. We will then explore why individuals behave in aggressive or anti-social ways, what leads to prejudice and discrimination, and what type of individuals will make strong leaders. Upon completion, students should be able to apply the skills of psychological analysis to the study of social psychology, demonstrate an understanding of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of humans, and demonstrate an understanding of a range of research methods.
Julie Knowles BSc PGCE
Term: Summer
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 17 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Fully Booked

Back to the Top

 

A Contentious Coalition? Exploring the Motivations and Actions of the Coalition Government
Since coming to power in 2010 the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government has actively pursued an agenda of reform. This module explores the origins of the coalition and its protagonists, the social and economic context in which it has formulated its agenda, and the competing ideological motivations behind the reform agenda. To what extent have we voted blue and gone green? Are we moving towards a big society not big government? Are Cameron’s three priorities summed up in just three letters – NHS? Examining contentious issues such as the role of the market in welfare delivery, the Big Society aspiration, rolling back the state and local decision-making, immigration controls, health and education reform, and the UK on the world stage, students will be asked to look behind the headlines and sound-bites, developing a critical and enquiring mind to confidently debate key issues of the day.
Adrian Lee BA PhD PGCAP FHEA
Term: Summer
Day: Wednesday
Start Date: 18 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Unfortunately, this course has been cancelled

Back to the Top

 

Urban Horticulture: Policy and the Future
This module recognises that local, ‘bottom-up’, community-based initiatives are only part of the solution to changing the global food system; ‘top-down’ support from policy-makers is vital. We will study different ‘policy instruments’ – economic tools such as taxation and subsidies, ways governments can support participation, education about food issues and behaviour change. We will examine policymakers’ attitudes to urban horticulture both in the UK and globally, particularly in developing countries and then assess the potential of various approaches to changing policy in this area, such as transition towns, the Fair Trade and Trade Justice movements, and the ‘sustainable urban food policies’ being developed in many cities worldwide. We will investigate whether large multiple retailers can co-exist with such policies. We will hold a class debate on which approaches hold most potential, and implement a brief campaign to advocate these.
Catherine Heinemeyer BSc MSc
Term: Summer
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 19 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10

Unfortunately, this course has been cancelled

 

Last Updated: April 12, 2012 | Iain Barr (ijb3@york.ac.uk)

Back to the Top