HN Social SciencesThe New Frameworks

HN Social SciencesThe New Frameworks

Eric Cochrane Adam Smith College

Curriculum Head for Social Sciences & QDT member

Framework designFramework design

There is no change to the Mandatory section of either award – the awards still have to fit with the Design Principles

We still have 12 credit HNC and 30 credit HND awards

Candidates still have to achieve 6 Mandatory credits including one Graded Unit for the HNC

Candidates still have to achieve 12 Mandatory credits including 3 Graded Units for the HND

Framework designFramework design

♦ There is no change to the Optional sections with both social science and non-social science units available

♦ Candidates will need 6 Optional credits for the HNC - at least 2 social science and a maximum of 4 non-social science credits

♦ Candidates will need 18 Optional credits for the HND – at least 8 social science and a maximum of 10 non-social science credits

StructureStructure

Candidates must do two A and B combinations for the HNC - with a minimum of 48 SCQF credit points including the Graded Unit at Level 7

Candidates must do two A, B, C and D combinations for the HND - with a minimum of 64 SCQF credit points including two Graded Units at Level 8

StructureStructureThe Arrangements documents for HNC and HND

Group Awards offer exemplar models for the delivery of both HNC and HND awards for a two semester and a three block pattern

A significant change to consider is in the order of delivery of the Units:

There is no need to do A before B or C, or B before C or D – Units are now self standing and this will make it easier to transfer from one college HNC to another’s HND year 2

Main changesMain changes

In the Units there is a reduction of the work load throughout there is more time to focus on developing skills

for Social Scientists there are suggestions to develop particular Core

Skills signposted in each Unit identification where the 4 capacities of

Curriculum for Excellence are developed more detail is to be found in the support notes

The UnitsThe Units A Unit - the aim of the unit should be to introduce the

candidate to the social science discipline in an interesting and engaging way

B Unit - the aim of the unit should be to look at substantive topics within the discipline and highlight relevance to today

C Unit - the aim of this unit should be to look at more substantive topics within the discipline and highlight relevance to today

D Unit - a specialist study of particular relevance to the social science discipline. Creativity and independent learning are important

Skills for Social ScientistsSkills for Social ScientistsA selection of the many skills includes: An understanding of different social science

disciplines An understanding of the contribution of social

sciences to the modern world and human behaviour

An open-minded, critical and evaluative approach to study

Skills in managing and prioritising information Investigation and research skills

Core Skills developedCore Skills developed

Communication at SCQF Level 6 ICT at SCQF Level 5 Numeracy at SCQF Level 5 (Using Number

component embedded in Research and Methodology)

Working with Others at SCQF Level 6 Problem Solving at SCQF Level 6 The Core Skills developed also contribute to the

agenda for employability

Employability skillsEmployability skills

Many of the skills developed in studying the social sciences help develop candidates as prospective employees, for example:

Self-management Team Working Problem Solving Communication and Literacy Information and Communication Technology Numeracy Research Skills

Curriculum for Excellence and skills developmentCurriculum for Excellence and skills development

A range of general skills are developed including: Critical and evaluative thinking The ability to manage and absorb large amounts

of information Communication and presentation skills Personal effectiveness The ability to take responsibility for one’s own

learning Study and research skills

Credit TransferCredit Transfer

♦ Credit Transfer is given for Units achieved in the Post-Pilot HNC/D towards the new HNC and HND Awards as outlined in the Arrangements documents.

♦ In summary, Credit Transfer is given towards the new Group Awards for all A,B, and C units

♦ Credit Transfer is not given in the following D Units as shown :

Credit TransferCredit TransferCurrent HNC/D New Units Credit Transfer Given

Economics D (DP42 35) Economics D (FJ35 35) NO

Geography D (DP4K 34) Geography D (FJ3C 35) YES

History D (DP4F 35) History D ((FK7T 35) YES

Philosophy D (DP4A 35) Philosophy D (FK7Y 35) YES

Politics D (DP58 35) Politics D (FK84 35) NO

Psychology D (DP46 35) Psychology D (FK8C 35) YES

Sociology D (DP35W 35) Sociology D (FK8P 35) NO