FDY3003 Exploring the Social World Case Study 2026 | Arden University

FDY3003 Assignment Brief.

As part of the formal assessment for the module Exploring the Social World, you are required to submit the assessment that is described in this assessment brief.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module, you should be able to:

1. Show an understanding of the nature, causes, and extent of social phenomena.
2. Discuss academic perspectives, centred on sociological and social psychology, on selected social issues.
3. Use academic sources of information to support an academic argument.
4. Graduate Attribute: Professionally knowledgeable in the subject area.
All learning outcomes must be met to pass the module.

Guidance

Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and the exact word count of your submitted document; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in (see referencing section for more information). You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.

You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number.

Maximum word count: 2000 words

Please refer to the full word count policy which can be found in the Student Policies section here: Arden University | Regulatory Framework
The word count includes everything in the main body of the assessment (including in text citations and references). The word count excludes numerical data in tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. All other printed words ARE included in the word count.

Students who exceed the wordcount up to a 10% margin will not be penalised. Students should note that no marks will be assigned to work exceeding the specified limit once the maximum assessment size limit has been reached.

Assignment Task (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

For this assessment, you are required to read and respond to two of the Case Studies described below.

The main outcome is to show your understanding of theory and how you apply theory to each case study to arrive at a considered opinion. You should discuss the theories and concepts that you have been introduced to on this module and rely on the sources of information that are available through iLearn.

You should include a separate reference list for each case study.

Case Study Option 1: Psychology (1000 words)

Without us realising, our behaviour can be influenced by other people.

Please read the following case study, which describes some examples of the psychological phenomenon of social influence in action.

Kate was excited to have been offered a position as a newly qualified nurse. Before she started the job, she had to sign some serious sounding documents that outlined her responsibilities and the consequences if she did not fulfil them. This included disciplinary action. Kate was anxious to get things right at her new job.

When she applied for the job, Kate had an interview with a senior manager. As Kate was leaving the interview, she noticed the manager looking at her shoes disapprovingly. They were the same shoes Kate had worn throughout her nurse training - black with a heel - but Kate got the impression that the manager did not think they were appropriate. When she was offered the job she checked the uniform policy, and her shoes were suitable, but she still bought a new pair of flat black shoes.

On her first day, on arrival at the hospital, Kate parked in an allocated staff parking area. As she got out of her car, a serious-looking man in a white coat strode over to her and shouted at her that where she parked was only for senior consultants. Unsure of the rules, Kate moved her car.

On her first morning on the ward, Kate accompanied the senior nurse and two other nurses on a ward round. As she was keen to do a good job, she made notes on each patient's diagnosis and medication. She noticed that she was the only one making notes, so quickly put her notebook in her pocket and then worried about remembering all the details.

At lunchtime, a friendly nurse mentions that the nurses all go down to the canteen to eat lunch together, and invited Kate along. Although she had brought a packed lunch from home, Kate decided to buy lunch instead, like her new colleagues, and spend some time getting to know them. After lunch, Kate felt like having a a cigarette, but no-one else smoked. She felt a bit awkward and thought to herself that this might be a good time for her to give up smoking.

Back on the ward, a nurse asked Kate if she would mind helping with getting a patient out of bed to sit in a chair so that their bed linen can be changed. Kate agreed and assisted her colleague and began to feel more comfortable with the team.

Later that day, Kate was left in charge of the ward. A doctor checked on a patient who had just returned from surgery and prescribed a pain medication. After the doctor left, Kate checked the prescription, and noticed that the dosage was incorrect - the doctor prescribed too much of the medication. She was worried, as it was her responsibility to check dosages before administering medication. The patient was in pain and asked for medication. Kate called the doctor and told him that she thought the dosage was wrong. He disagreed and told Kate to give the dosage he prescribed. Against her better judgement, she administered the pain medication, giving the patient the dosage the doctor had told her to.

Your Task:

Explain the way in which Kate's behaviour was influenced by the presence and actions of other people, according to theories of social influence.

In your answer, you should:

• Provide a definition of social influence.
• Explain the three main concepts associated with social influence (listed below), giving examples from the case study.

1. Compliance.
2. Conformity.
3. Obedience.

What were the positive and negative consequences of social influence on Kate?

Case Study Option 2: Criminology (1000 words)

There have been several incidents where conventional crowds have resulted in large-scale aggressive, criminal behaviour.

Please read the following case study which describes an incidence of crowd behaviour.

A group of friends (Group A) went to a music festival where their favourite bands were performing. Their tickets were 'standing only' and this meant they were close to the stage, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the crowd. As the music started, some of the crowd danced, sang along, waved lights, sat on friends' shoulders, and had a few drinks. Two of Group A, who were usually quite reserved, began imitating the singers and guitarist. People nearby started to do the same, until there was a whole group mimicking the band members. Everyone around them was singing, having fun, and enjoying the music.

Suddenly, other members of the crowd started shouting at Group A. Without warning, Group A were bombarded with food and other objects, striking them. This provoked an angry response from Group A. In a matter of seconds, the situation escalated, with bottles and food flying around. The crowd began to push and shove each other, resulting in some people falling over. Others, in their haste to get away, began to violently push through the crowd. This intensified the crush, causing panic. Some people who fell could not get up and were in danger of being trampled.

Two crowd members stopped to help those that had fallen, and others soon joined them to create a protective circle. This kept the people who had fallen safe, while they waited for assistance. Recognising there was a major problem unfolding, the band stopped playing. This angered other members of the crowd at the back, who started to throw objects, copying what they could see happening at the front of the crowd.

The disorder continued for several minutes, until the venue's security and the police managed to reach the centre of the crowd and dispersed it. Some of the crowd members were arrested for aggravated assault. Luckily no one was seriously injured.

Your task:

Explain why the crowd disorder developed the way it did, according to Criminological theories of crowd behaviour.

• Define and discuss the concepts of contagion, suggestibility, anonymity, and deindividuation in relation to the behaviour of this crowd.
• What advice would you give to the police, and to organisers of large events, regarding effective crowd behaviour management?

Case Study Option 3: Law (1000 words)

The Law ensures that people are treated equally.

Please read the following case study which describes an incidence of where the law may have been broken.

Jane had worked for a large company for 2 years as an administrative assistant when she discovered she was pregnant. She immediately notified her Line Manager, and the HR Manager had a meeting with her to explain the maternity benefits, discuss when she wanted to go off on maternity leave and whether she wanted to return to work after the baby was born. Jane stated that she wanted to return to work after nine months as she could not afford to take a full year off. Jane complied with all the procedures and went on maternity leave two weeks before her baby was born.

Six months into maternity leave, Jane discovered she was three months pregnant and notified her Line Manager. This meant Jane would only return to work for approximately three months and then go on maternity leave again.

Two months after notifying her Line Manager of her second pregnancy, while she was still on maternity leave, Jane received an email from HR notifying her that her post as an administrative assistant had been made redundant, due to the financial position of the company. Therefore, there would no longer be a position for her to fill, and she would be unable to return to work at the company.

Your task:

You are a lawyer and you have been asked to by Jane to explain whether the actions of the company are lawful, as per the Equality Act 2010, as she is considering appealing the decision.

Using the law problem-solving technique Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion (IRAC), apply the law to the facts and reach a conclusion regarding whether the company has broken the law by making Jane redundant.

You should structure your response in the following way:

• Paragraph 1: Issue - What is the question that needs to be answered? We will do this stage for you, as the question is: Has the company broken the law? However, what you should do in this section is describe who has done what to whom: Who are the parties involved? What are the events of the case?
• Paragraph 2: Rule - State the relevant law and explain what protection there is in UK legislation regarding pregnancy and maternity leave.
• Paragraph 3: Application - Apply the rules to the facts of the case. What facts suggest that the company may have broken the law? What facts suggest that the company has not broken the law?
• Paragraph 4: Conclusion - Reach a conclusion. It might not be possible to reach a definitive conclusion: think in terms of the conclusion that is most likely to be reached based upon the strongest argument.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the deadline for the assignment?

Please check the 'My Assessment' tab of your module on iLearn for the assignment deadline.

2. What do I include on the first page of my assignment?

Include a cover page. Download the cover page template on iLearn under the 'My Assessment' tab. Complete it and add it to the first page of your assignment.

3. Do I include my name?

No, do not include your name. Include your STU number on the cover page.

4. Do I need to answer every task in the assignment brief?

Yes, you must attempt every task.

5. How do I submit my formative draft assignment?

Submit your assignment as a Microsoft Word document to the FORMATIVE
submission portal on iLearn under the 'My Assessment' tab of the relevant module.

6. How do I submit my formative draft assignment?

Submit your assignment as a Microsoft Word document to the FINAL submission portal on iLearn under the 'My Assessment' tab of the relevant module.

7. What file format should my assignment be?

Upload your assignment as a Word document (.docx).

8. Do I include the word count on the cover page?

Yes, provide the exact word count of your final submission.

9. What exactly is included in the word count?

The word count includes all text in the main body of the submission. This includes titles, headings, subheadings and in-text citations.

10. What exactly is not included in the word count?

The cover page and reference list are not included in the word count. The example paragraph of your work used in Task B is also not included.

11. How is my work assessed?

A lecturer will assess your work using the Assessment Criteria on pages 10-11. Read these criteria carefully to understand how your work is assessed.

12. Can I apply for an extension?

Yes, you can apply for a 7-day extension. If you need longer, you will need to apply for extenuating circumstances. Access extension forms under 'E' of the A-Z key information on iLearn.

13. Can I resubmit my assessment if I fail?

Yes, you will need to resubmit your assignment if you fail. Read Lesson 10 on your module's iLearn page for further information.

14. What happens if I commit academic misconduct?

If your assignment is referred for academic misconduct, you may be invited to attend an interview with an Academic Integrity Officer to discuss the allegation.

Assignment Checklist

Use the checklist below to help you complete your assignment and prepare to submit your work.

Final submission

Assessments submitted late will not be accepted.

Please submit your portfolio as a Word document. A template is provided on the module iLearn site. Please use the template, as it will make sure that you include all the evidence asked for.

You must ensure that the submitted assessment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assessment s which show evidence of academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is available on the A-Z key information on iLearn.)