Module 9 - Citizenship and the Life Course : Implications for Life Planning

The aim of this module is to develop a broad understanding of citizenship and consider how it relates to the life course and life planning.

By the end of the module students will be able to:

define and discuss the terminology, disciplinary perspectives and key concepts associated with citizenship
describe and contextualise the development of citizenship with reference to historical, socio-economic, political, national and international trends
understand and debate the relationship(s) between the individual and society: the citizen and the state
summarise current demographic trends and societal concerns
explain how and why demographic trends and societal concerns have put citizenship firmly back on the political agenda
consider how citizenship changes over the life course
appreciate how citizenship - and an individual’s potential to participate in it - is affected by issues of diversity and equality
relate citizenship issues to life planning, pre-retirement education and mid-life planning
evaluate the implications of citizenship for life planning and pre-retirement education in practice
select, organise and critique materials from a variety of sources

Unit 1 - Critiquing citizenship as a social, economic, theoretical and political concept

Definitions, key concepts and disciplinary perspectives
Historical evolution
A contested terrain?
The relationship between the citizen and the State; the individual and society / the community.

Unit 2 - The significance of trends on the development and practice of citizenship

Demographic factors associated with the life course
- comparative studies in western industrial societies
Globalisation and the decline of the nation-state
- national and international trends

Unit 3 - Contextualising citizenship

The impact of citizenship on the development of socio-economic and political policies and public service practice in Britain today
The relevance of the citizenship agenda to changing attitudes to and images of older people and ageing
How does this apply to me?

Unit 4 - Citizenship and the life course

Egality, equality and fraternity?
- diversity and/or inclusivity, age, gender, disability, ethnicity, social class
The relevance of citizenship for life planning, pre-retirement education and mid-life planning