? Credit Points : 20  ? SCQF Level : 10  ? Acronym : SPS-3-SYSOCSEC

Social security systems have been undergoing fundamental change. There is much debate between conflicting ideologies and competing interpretations of not only what should be happening but also what is happening. Issues such as need, dependency, desert and right are all being re-examined with the changes in the public and private roles in the provision of social security. New policies, and especially tax credits, require a fresh assessment of the meaning of social security and the relationship between the state, the market and the individual.

The main focus of the course is the British social security system, although it will be examined in comparative as well as historical perspective. Future policy options as well as likely trends will be considered.

? Pre-requisites : Visiting students should have at least 3 Social Policy or closely related courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.

Home subject area

Social Policy, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date Start End Room Area Additional Information 10/01/2008 11:10 13:00 Room 122 Adam Ferguson Bldg

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area Lecture Thursday 11:10 13:00 Central

tba

Essay 50%, Exam 50%

Exam times

Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Length 1ST May 1 - 2 hour(s)

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Mrs Louise Angus
Tel : (0131 6)50 3923
Email : L.Angus@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Prof Adrian Sinfield
Tel : (0131 6)50 3924
Email : A.Sinfield@ed.ac.uk

Course Website : http://www.ed.ac.uk/social_policy/

School Website : http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.hss.ed.ac.uk/