The FETAC Level 5 Social Studies Component Certificate is delivered as a 10 week part time course consisting of 3 hours of lecture time per week in total -  30 hours total classroom time. Students must attend at least 80% of all the classes and complete all the necessary assessments in order to be eligible for certification through FETAC. 

Locations and dates for April 2012:

• Dublin - 19 April to 21 June 2012: Thursday Nights. 6:30 - 9:30pm. DIT Aungier Street.

Upon successful completion of this module participants will receive a FETAC Level 5 Social Studies Component Certificate. It is also known as a "Minor Award" at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

This module is also one of the components of a variety of FETAC Level 5 Major Awards. Through the new FETAC Common Awards System this component certificate can be combined with other Level 5 Component Certificates or Minor Awards to achieve a Level 5 Major Award. These other modules can be completed with other providers and at a time that is convenient to you.

The Learning Curve Institute offers 3 other modules that form part of FETAC Major Awards at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications:

• FETAC Level 5 Drug & Alcohol Addiction
• FETAC Level 5 Communications (mandatory module for Major Award)
• FETAC Level 5 Challenging Behaviour

For further information on these component certificates please contact us directly or visit the FETAC website: www.fetac.ie 

Learners who successfully complete the FETAC Level 5 Minor Award in Social Studies will:

1. become familiar with sociological concepts 
2. develop an understanding of their position as an individual, a family member, and as part of a community and wider society 
3. become familiar with the major economic, cultural and social structures that make up our society and their effects 
4. recognise how economic, political, cultural and social structures are related and interdependent 
5. understand the impact of discrimination on individuals and groups in society 
6. examine critically contemporary social issues 
7. acquire basic research skills 
8. increase their effectiveness in life and work through understanding social issues

Students will receive handouts and relevant literature to enable them to develop their understanding of social studies and sociology appropriate to this level. The course is aimed at participants who wish to expand their knowledge of sociology concepts and social issues.

In each session students will have the opportunity to learn about social structures and become familiar with sociology concepts and critically important social issues. Students will learn about basic research skills in the field of social studies.

• To build on and expand existing knowledge in relation to social studies and sociology.
• To enable students to identify the agencies of socialisation and discuss how they have an effect on their lives. 
• To examine research skills in the social studies field and about how research is conducted. 
• To allow space and time for participants to look at social services in childcare in an Irish and International context. 
• To have gained a deep understanding of equality issues with relevance to current legislation. 
• To identify the social issues in today’s society that give rise to concern and describe possible causes, implications and strategies to deal with these issues.

There are no specific entry requirements for this course. Application forms are used solely to gauge a candidate’s knowledge of the area in order to aid the tutor with his preparation.

While there are no special or specific entry requirements for this course, The Learning Curve Institute and FETAC have the following preferred entry requirements for this Level 5 Social Studies course: Level 4 Certificate or Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualifications and/or relevant life and work experiences.

All assessment is carried out in accordance with FETAC regulations. Assessment is devised by the course director, with external moderation by FETAC. Assessment for this FETAC Level 5 Social Studies Component Certificate takes place in the following format:

• Theory based examination – 50% 
• Project – 50%

The Learning Curve Institute offers a unique post-course support system whereby students are provided with the contact details of the lecturer and are free to contact him/her with any questions they may have or queries with which they would like the lecturers help.

You do not need to buy any books for this course. All materials for the FETAC Level 5 Social Studies course will be available for download from The Learning Curve Institute website. We will also supply a list of recommended reading and websites that you could consult for further reading if you wish.

Locations and dates for April 2012:

• Dublin - 19 April to 21 June 2012: Thursday Nights. 6:30 - 9:30pm. DIT Aungier Street.

Please contact The Learning Curve Institute on 098 25530 or info@thelearningcurve.ie for booking or more information on the FETAC Level 5 Social Studies component certificate.

Booking:

To book a place on this course please click on the Book Now tab of this website. The course can be booked online by paying the full course fee with a credit card or using paypal. Alternatively a €150 deposit can be sent to our Head Office in Mayo to secure your place on the course. A completed application form and minimum non refundable deposit of €150 is necessary for all bookings.

***Note that €4 from every booking is donated directly to Barretstown and The Children's Medical and Research Foundation.

The course can be paid in 3 installments using our payment plan if you wish. Full details are in the Full Course Outline PDF. 

Click Here to download a PDF of the application form

FETAC Certification Fee: FETAC charge a Certification fee of €20 per person per Minor Award for the issuing of all FETAC component certificates. All learners undertaking FETAC courses with The Learning Curve Institute will be liable for this €20 fee in addition to the relevant course fee.

• Social Welfare recipients and/or Medical Card holders are exempt from this fee.

Please see www.fetac.ie for full details.