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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: SOCM012 Module Title: SOCIAL POLICY ANALYSES
Module Provider: Sociology Short Name: SOCM91
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: DAVIDSON K Dr (Sociology)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Spring semester
Assessment Pattern

Assessment:  A 2000 word analysis of a particular social policy chosen by the student and employing one of the approaches covered in the module.

 

 

 
Module Overview
This course will examine current debates and controversies in social policy and the provision of welfare services. Focusing initially on questions about the role of the state in welfare provision, the course will look critically both at normative claims from the political left and right abaout the proper role for social policy, and at the contribution of economics, sociology and other academic disciplines to policy analysis. This will lead to a discussion of competing ideas of social justice, and the extent to which they are articulated and realised in practical policy initiatives. The course will also consider how particular ‘social problems’ are constructed in policy debates, and the consequences of this for patterns of social inequality and collective action. Illustrative material will bedrawn from the whole range of substantive areas in social policy, but students will be able to follow up interests in particular areas if they wish.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Module Aims
Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes  

At the end of the module the student should:  

·        Have an understanding of the significance of contexts in policy formation 
 
·        Be familiar with the main debates in the field of social policy analysis

 ·        Be able to apply a range of approaches to analysing social policy.

  

 

 

Module Content
Methods of Teaching/Learning

Selected Texts/Journals

Selected references 

 

Alcock, P., Erskine, A. and May, M. (eds) (2003) The Student’s Companion to Social Policy, Blackwell. 

 

Burrows, R and Loader, B (eds) (1994) Towards a Post-Fordist Welfare State?, Routledge.  Jones, K. (2000) The making of social policy in , The Athlone Press. Lavalette, M and Pratt, A (eds) (2001) Social Policy: a conceptual and theoretical introduction, 2nd Edition, Sage. Lewis, G; Gewirtz, S and Clarke, J (2000) Rethinking Social Policy, Sage & OUP. O’Brien, M and Penna, S (1998) Theorising Welfare, SageTitmuss, R.M. (1973) The Gift Relationship: from human blood to social policy, Penguin.  Williams, F (1991) Social Policy: A Critical Introduction, Polity Press. 

Last Updated
27th August 2009