| CODE | EPE3015 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Social and Legal Issues in Education | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Early Childhood and Primary Education | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will provide information about social issues which children in education can face and the services that exist to address them. Additionally the unit will provide information about laws, regulations and obligations which regulate schools and educators. Through discussion and reflection, the students will become more aware of possible social problems and how to access services that can support the children and their families in receiving the support they need. They will also become aware of their legal obligations, and legal issues which may arise related to their role as educators. The study-unit will expose the students to the profession of social work, how it operates, its value base and the processes it uses to address certain problems. It will also provide information about social work,legal terminology and processes which is used in the sector. Study-unit Aims: This unit aims to: 1. help the students become more familiar and acquainted with the social sector; 2. encourage the students to reflect on possible social issues their students may face; 3. help the students learn how to support the students and their families who may be making use of non-monetary welfare services; 4. facilitate the students' collaboration with the welfare sector when they need to access it; 5. introduce the students to simple legal jargon which they will come across as educators; 6. introduce the students to the Education Act, and other relevant laws such as the Protection of Minors Act (alternative Care) and Data Protection regulations; 7. familiarise the students with the Code of Ethics for teachers; 8. give basic notions of family issues which may arise during their career and introduce them to basic laws regulating family issues; 9. discuss how to give evidence in Court. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify and discuss the social problems which children may face; - list and identify the social services available while discussing how they operate; - discuss the local legislation and the legal frameworks which regulate their profession; - explain the basic social work and legal concepts which guide the sector; - discuss the core values which guide the social sector; - make use simple legal jargon; - indicate basic legal requirements and obligations; - address certain legal issues which may arise in the field of education; - identify ethical issues. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - contribute to the identification of social problems which children may be facing; - collaborate with any helping professionals providing services to the children and their families; - contribute to the processes undertaken by helping professionals to help the children and their families; - take simple decisions based on legal requirements; - address legal issues which arise; - better analyse ethical circumstances which they will find themselves in. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Duca Palmer, S. (2011). Social Work and Child Services (Ed.). USA: Apple Academic - Mifsud Bonnici, U. (2013). An introduction to the law of education. Msida: Malta - Munro, E. (2008). Effective Child Protection. (2nd Ed.) London: Sage - Education Act Cap 605 of the Laws of Malta - S.L. 327.02 Teachers’ Code of Ethics - Civil Code Cap 16 of the Laws of Malta - Data Protection Act Cap 440 of the Laws of Malta - Data Protection guidelines for Schools - S.L. 440.09 Processing of Personal Data (Education Sector) Regulations. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Maria Zahra DENNIS ZAMMIT |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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