Social Policy and Society (U03818)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : SPS-1-SP1h

The course explores how welfare issues are constructed and debated in contemporary society. It revolves around three main themes: social needs, social problems and social rights, and how different debates about welfare have been influenced by these themes. It focuses on the implications of social change for debates about welfare, considering some of the major contemporary issues in social policy. This half course is complementary to Politics of the Welfare State.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
19/09/2007	12:10	13:00	Lecture Theatre B, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	12:10	13:00	Central
Lecture	Wednesday	12:10	13:00	Central

? Additional Class Information : Plus tutorials.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should:
- have begun to develop an understanding of the main social issues and problems facing societies
- have an understanding of how social policy issues are constructed and contested in contemporary society
- have an understanding of how contemporary societies recognise and manage social change
- have an understanding of some key concepts in social policy debates, such as needs, rights and responsibilities
- be able to explain why needs, rights and responsibilities are central to social policies, and why they are contested concepts
- be able to cite examples of policies which raise such issues
- have an understanding of the differences between universal and targeted social provision, and be able to critically assess the arguments for and against these
- be aware of different perspectives in relation to debates on these concepts
- be able to evaluate the tensions and balances between the needs and rights of different social groups, drawing on policy examples
- be able to compare and contrast theories about responsibilities and welfare with theories of need and of rights
- have begun to acquire some of the skills that are integral to studying social policy, such as assessing arguments and evaluating evidence
- have an enhanced awareness of the social values and institutions that shape our lives, and of the choices that socially aware members of our societies have to confront.

Assessment Information

1 essay of 1500 words; essay = 40%, degree exam = 60%. A pass in the exam is necessary to pass the course. If the examination is failed at the first sitting and is passed at the re-sit examination, the maximum mark obtainable for the course oveall is 50.