Module HPS-1001:
Social Policy and Society

Module Facts

Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Hefin Gwilym

Overall aims and purpose

Social Policy and Society is the School's flagship introductory module to Social Policy and is accessible to both Social Policy students and students in other disciplines within the School. The purpose of the module is to provide students with a broad introduction to the history and theoretical perspectives of Social Policy. How we address poverty and inequality. What about global poverty and living below 2 dollars a day? How can a satisfactory provision of health services, social care and income security to secured for citizens? What are the choices and restraints facing policy makers, service providers and individuals? It will enable students to identify and analyse problems which we face in our daily lives using perspectives offered by Social Policy and other social sciences. It will explore: 1. The political, financial and organisational contexts in which social policies are delivered, received and experienced. 2. The effects of demographic changes on social policies and provision, such as an ageing society and migration. 3. The State's role in welfare and the role of privatisation and the voluntary sector in welfare provision. 4. The nature and causes of inequalities in income, health outcomes and life chances in the UK and globally. 5. The ways in which social, economic and technological changes are affecting the nature of modern welfare strategies. 6. How devolution has changed the nature of social policies and provision in the UK.

Course content

This module will provide an exploration of the ways and means by which welfare is delivered. It will examine personal, social, economic and political aspects of welfare, and consider some of the moral and philosophical issues raised. The course also traces the development and use of concepts such as social need, health care need, welfare, social justice and equality, citizenship and social exclusion amongst others within the framework of the policy process. Students will consider a series of substantive issues, e.g. the care of older people, child protection, services for people with mental health problems, etc. Students will become familiar with a variety of theoretical perspectives used by the social sciences. They will examine the main institutions of health and welfare, and consider some of the main dilemmas of our age, e.g. how to balance individual and collective responsibilities; and how to balance the needs of carers, and those receiving care. To what extent should the state be involved in the provision of welfare - residually or universally? To what extent does the state amplify or produce social inequalities?

Assessment Criteria

threshold

Threshold Student's work will display an adequate understanding of the political theories and concepts, use simple comparisons to help explain the contemporary political questions and show basic competence in writing, referencing and discussing on the political issues.

excellent

Excellent Student’s work will display the critical thinking and ability to make an academic argument with the use of relevant political theories and use of the empirical evidence. It will show the sophisticated competence in knowledge, writing and referencing.

good

Good Student’s work will display a good understanding of major political theories and concepts and their application to the contemporary political discourse. It will show reflexive competence in the discussion and analysis of the contemporary political issues.

Learning outcomes

    1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of key theoretical perspectives in Social Policy.
    2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the history of Social Policy from the Nineteenth Century to date.
    3. Show an understanding of key concepts in the delivery of welfare and an appreciation of the possible advantages and disadvantages of different models of welfare delivery.
    4. Identify some of the causes and consequences of income inequalities and how these are related to welfare.
    5. Show an understanding of the administrative and financial context within which social policies are constructed, including the impact of devolution on health and welfare structures.
    6. Demonstrate an awareness of the international dimension of Social Policy, particularly relating to world poverty .

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION Presentation 50.00
ESSAY Essay 50.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture 100
Seminar 100

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • Develop a sound appreciation of the variety of theories that comprise the discipline of social policy and how these impact on social policy interventions
  • Become cognizant with key conceptual debates within the field of contemporary social policy

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: