SS5015 - Social Problems and Social Policy (2020/21)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2020/21 | ||||||||||||||||
| Module status | DELETED (This module is no longer running) | ||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Social Problems and Social Policy | ||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences | ||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2020/21(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The aims of the module are:
1. To develop students’ understanding of how social problems and social policy relate
2. To examine the relationship between the process of policy making and policy implementation, alongside its impact using some key social problem examples.
3. To elucidate key concepts in social policy: needs, citizenship; community; liberty; equality; social justice; social exclusion.
4. To delineate shifting debates about social problems and relate these to the delivery of benefits and services.
Syllabus
Key concepts: relating social problems and social policy LO1
Economic and political context of welfare LO2
Power structures in policy making: levels of governance; devolution; social movements LO2, LO3
Implementation and delivery: the roles of market, family, not-for-profit and public sector LO4
Social Problems and policy solutions in the UK & Europe LO4
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Teaching will comprise weekly classroom style workshops with interactive exercises and discussions.
Teaching will be informed by research and scholarly activity of the tutors
Learning will be supported by the weblearn site for the modules which will include all the teaching materials and a wide range of learning resources
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Elucidate key social problems that shape social policy discourses and their implementation
2. Escribe and dissect the relationship between social policy and government in meeting basic needs and addressing social problems
3. Elaborate on how the concepts of citizenship, social justice, family and individual responsibility, and social exclusion are applied in students’ experience of welfare
4. Identify and analyse the changing power structures at local, regional, national and supranational levels of governance in the delivery of public obligations and recognition of social needs
Assessment strategy
Teaching will be informed by research and scholarly activity of the tutors
Learning will be supported by the weblearn site for the modules which will include all the teaching materials and a wide range of learning resources
Bibliography
Identify core and additional reading
Core reading:
S. Isaacs (ed) European Social Problems, Routledge 2017
McBride, S. & Evans, B., The Austerity State, UOT Press
Fitzpatrick, T. (2011) Welfare Theory: An Introduction, Palgrave
Additional reading
Hills, J. (2009) Towards a More Equal Society, Policy Press
Hudson, J. and Lowe, S. (2009) Understanding the Policy Process, Policy Press
Lister, R. (2010) Understanding Theories and Concepts in Social Policy, Policy Press