This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
The module provides an up to date overview of the range of contributions of the third sector to economic, social and political life. It includes analysis of definitions and categorisations, and the problematic boundaries between OCS, the third sector, the State and the market; foundational theories of third sector existence, organisation, functioning and behaviour; attention to the historical and current public policy agenda in relation to OCS and the third sector, in the UK and internationally; and reviews important approaches to 'evaluation' in the third sector.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 178
Total study hours: 200
Civil Society, NGO and Non-Profit Studies MA
International Social Policy MA
Two year masters versions of the appropriate programmes listed above
Main assessment methods
Coursework 1 (1,500 word essay) – 30%
Coursework 2 (4,000 to 5,000 word essay) - 70%
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
Anheier, H.K. & Kendall, J. (eds) (2001) Third sector policy at the crossroads, London: Routledge.
Bridge, S., Murtagh, B. and O'Neill, K. (2013) Understanding the Social Economy and the Third Sector, Palgrave, second edition.
Deakin, N. (2001) In Search Of Civil Society, Palgrave.
Evers, A. and Laville, J-L (eds) (2003) The Third Sector in Europe, Edward Elgar
Kendall, J. (2003) The Voluntary Sector: Comparative Perspectives in the UK, Routledge
Kendall, J. and Knapp. M. (1996) The Voluntary Sector in the UK, Manchester University Press
Kendall, J. (2009) Handbook on Third Sector Policy in Europe: Multi-level Processes and Organised Civil Society, Edward Elgar
Powell, M. (ed) (2007) Understanding the Mixed Economy of Welfare, Policy Press, Bristol.
Rochester, C. (2013) Rediscovering Voluntary Action: The Beat of a Different Drum, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
Steinberg, R. and Powell, W.W. (editors) (2006) The Nonprofit sector: A Research Handbook, Yale University Press.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Understand and engage with debates concerning the definition, nature and scope of organised civil society (OCS) and the third sector
8.2 Interpret and apply the basic theories of OCS and third sector existence, organisation and behaviour
8.3 Understand the role of the national and subnational institutions in relation to the third sector as a policy actor, in relation to policy design
and implementation
8.4 Understand the role of the European Union and other supranational institutions in policymaking processes as they relate to OCS and the
third sector
8.5 Describe, evaluate and apply different approaches to collecting, analysing and presenting social and technical information as this relates
to key aspects of the OCS and the third sector
8.6 Assess the value of a range of research methods appropriate to the study of this field
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Communicate, in terms of organising information in a clear and coherent way, responding to written sources and presenting information
orally
9.2 Develop the application of theory ad research evidence to understanding of key issues in welfare and social policy
9.3 Work with others by co-operating on seminars and expressing reasoned arguments orally
9.4 Develop argumentation: they will develop logical arguments based upon sound reasoning and understanding of the material and express
these arguments in a written format
9.5 Undertake desk-based research. Students will be able to gather library and web-based resources appropriate for postgraduate study;
make critical judgements about their merits and use the available evidence to construct a developed argument to be presented orally or in
writing
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