SS5107 Education and Welfare Assessment Brief 2026 | University College Cork

Students who are registered for the SS5107 Education and Welfare module are assessed by means of a portfolio of three pieces of work, that includes:

1. Personal Reflection

Write a short reflection on your own educational experiences in light of the aspects explored in the module.

Personal Reflection Instructions

This submission is a personal reflection stimulated by the material we have been covering in the module. There is a great deal of flexibility as to what you focus on – you may wish to particularly reflect on an aspect of your educational journey such as a positive experience, or something you are critical of with regards to your experience of education. In the reflection, you could consider: 1) What factors, positive or negative, shaped your educational experiences? 2) If you could change one thing about the education system to make it more equal, what would it be? The personal reflection should be written in the first person ‘I’ voice. No references are needed for the reflection as it is a personal statement. No GenAI generated content is allowed.

(20 marks) – 250-500 words

2. Case Study

Briefly discuss a contemporary problem/issue in education we have touched on in the SS5107 course (this can focus either on Ireland or another country). Please include references for the case study.

Case Study Instructions

The case study should examine a contemporary problem or issue in education that we have explored in the module. In the case study you are providing an assessment of a particular aspect of education/educational disadvantage and inequality that engages with a problem or issue we have looked at it in the module and provides an understanding of the area from the literature and/or policy. You can focus on a problem or issue in education in any of the domains we look at in the module, i.e., early years, primary, secondary, third level, inclusive education, gender, ethnicity, either in relation to Ireland or another country. The case study should be written in the third person. A minimum of one and up to five academic and grey literature references are required for the case study and are not included in the word count. Make sure to include DOIs for each academic reference and working links for any other references. No GenAI generated content is allowed.

(20 marks) – 250-500 words

3. Essay

Choose one essay title from the list below.

A. Examine the impediments to educational access, attainment, and progression that arise from socio-economic and cultural factors.

B. Evaluate to what extent the policy and practice of the Irish welfare state has lessened educational disadvantage and inequality.

C. Explore the impact of Covid-19 on educational disadvantage and inequality.

D. Critically reflect on whether educational disadvantage is best combatted through early years educational programmes.

Essay Instructions

In the essay, please refer to academic literature, empirical indicators, research and policy, especially the course material. For questions A, B, and C, you can focus on one or more of the domains covered in the course (i.e. early years, primary and secondary, third level, inclusive education, gender, ethnicity), and you can also draw on comparative international research. For question D you can focus on Irish and international studies on early childhood care and education. References are not included in the word count. In the essay, make sure to also adhere to the following:

• Good structure and style: Include an introduction and conclusion and use headings/sub-headings. Make sure the essay is coherent, clear, and well written. Use the third person and watch for personal language and generalisations.
• Good referencing and use of sources: No AI generated content is to be used. Use Harvard referencing and ensure you have a correctly formatted bibliography at the end of the essay, that includes DOIs for each academic reference, and working links for any other references. I always read a student’s bibliography early in my reading of their work to see the types of sources that are drawn on. Sources should mainly focus on academic peer-reviewed journal articles and published books, and you can also reference policies, reports and other grey literature. You can refer to good quality media articles and websites of relevant organisations, e.g., an NGO, if relevant to your study, but these should be limited to a small number. Make sure to particularly include the readings from the module, as detailed below. Use Turnitin to check how you cite/reference in advance of your final submission. Also make sure to proofread your essay, and your bibliography if you are using referencing software.
• Engage with the module literature: Your essay should demonstrate engagement with the readings in the module. You can also include some additional references you have sourced through appropriate databases. Feel free to use both theory and empirical research where applicable; to highlight the broader context of the topic (once it relates to the question and the argument you are developing); to bring in a comparative international perspective if relevant; and to define important terms (e.g., educational disadvantage) if this helps to set up your argument/essay (I would advise that you keep definitions brief).
• Demonstrate critical analysis and insight: Show analysis of the literature and the topic you are focused on by developing an argument, i.e., what is your perspective on the assignment question in light of, and with reference to, the literature you are drawing on? Critical analysis does not only mean critique and evaluation; it also refers to the ability to engage with and appreciate different perspectives, and to develop a narrative and argument about what you have read.

The portfolio guidelines are also available as a pdf document.

(60 marks) – 1,500 words