Introductory description

This module aims to develop systematic knowledge and comprehensive understanding of classic and contemporary career development theories from a range of discipline areas. It also aims at enhancing confident and creative theoretically-informed practice in relation to a range of relevant roles.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Origins and definitions of career development theory.
The facilitation of career development learning.
An integrative framework for interpreting career development (integrating a range of perspectives including cultural, educational, systems, social chronological, person-environment fit, life course development, relational, sociological, narrative, and psychodynamic theories)
Use of the above to systematically interpret case studies in conceptual terms.
Integration into existing and/or future working context.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Systematically identify career development theories from a range of disciplines.
• Comprehensively distinguish key concepts within career development theories.
• Use career development theories to critically interpret case studies.
• Comprehensively deploy key concepts to analyse case studies.
• Use the knowledge listed above to creatively evaluate practice.
• Systematically apply the knowledge listed above to enhance practice.

Indicative reading list

Handbook of career development: international perspectives - 2014
Chapter 6 'The cultural preparation process model and career development' G. Arulmani
A relational theory of working - David L. Blustein, 2011-08
Rethinking career studies: facilitating conversation across boundaries with the social
chronology framework - Hugh Gunz, Wolfgang Mayrhofer, 2019
Chapter 2 ' Exploring career as a concept' - pages 21-25
Rethinking career studies: facilitating conversation across boundaries with the social
chronology framework - Hugh Gunz, Wolfgang Mayrhofer, 2019
Chapter 3 'The three perspectives and their view of career'
Career counseling: holism, diversity, and strengths - Norman C. Gysbers, Mary J. Heppner, Joseph A. Johnston, 2014
Chapter 2 'Ways of Understanding Career Behavior and Development: Selected Theories' pp. 28-34 .
Career development and counseling: putting theory and research to work - Steven D.
Brown, Robert W. Lent, c2013
Chapter 4 'The life-span, life-space theory of careers' P. Hartung
Career Research & Development : The NICEC journal - P Hodkinson, 2009
'Understanding career decision-making and progression: Careership revisited' pages 4-17
Building on what we know: Community-interaction and its importance for contemporary
careers-work - B Law, 2009
Rethinking careers education and guidance: theory, policy and practice - A. G. Watts, 1996
Chapter 3 'A career-learning theory' B. Law
Career development and counseling: putting theory and research to work - Steven D. Brown, Robert W. Lent, c2013
Chapter 5 ' Social cognitive career theory.' R. Lent
The handbook of transformative learning: theory, research, and practice - Edward W. Taylor, Patricia Cranton, c2012
Chapter 5 'Learning to think like an adult: Core concepts of transformation theory' J. Mezirow
Handbook of career studies - Hugh Gunz, Maury Peiperl, c2007
Chapter 2 ' Tracing the historical roots of career theory in management and organization studies.'
Career development and systems theory: connecting theory and practice - Wendy Patton,
Mary McMahon, 2014, Chapter 9
Career development and counseling: putting theory and research to work - Steven D.
Brown, Robert W. Lent, c2013
Chapter 6 'Career construction theory and practice'. M. Savickas.
Career Anchors Revisited: Implications for Career Development in the 21st Century - Edgar H. Schein, 1996
Applying career development theory to counseling - Richard S. Sharf, 2013
Chapter 11 'Constructivist and narrative approaches to career development'.
Applying career development theory to counseling - Richard S. Sharf, 2013
Chapter 13 'Krumboltz's social learning theory'.
Career development and counseling: putting theory and research to work - Steven D. Brown, Robert W. Lent, c2013
Chapter 2 'Minnesota theory of work adjustment' J. Swanson & M. Schneider.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

International

The module incorporates a range of global perspectives on career by authors from a range of countries .

Subject specific skills

Systematically identify career development theories from a range of disciplines.
Comprehensively distinguish key concepts within career development theories.
Use career development theories to critically interpret case studies.
Comprehensively deploy key concepts to analyse case studies.
Use the knowledge listed above to creatively evaluate practice.
Systematically apply the knowledge listed above to enhance practice.

Transferable skills

Carefully and thoroughly present material in clear written form by identifying, analysing and applying key texts and practices using appropriate and adequate structure, spelling, grammar, syntax, length and referencing.