SOCPY200-18B (TGA)

Social Policy and Social Issues

15 Points

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Division of Arts, Social Sciences and Law
School of Social Sciences
Social Policy

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Gemma Piercy-Cameron

Gemma Piercy-Cameron
9360
K.2.03A
To be advised
gemma.piercy-cameron@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

: rachel.gosnell-maddock@waikato.ac.nz

Placement Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: jillene.bydder@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5 or 9 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
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Paper Description

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This paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The paper is taught from a social justice point of view and students will be encouraged to examine the concepts of justice, equality and freedom in relation to different political ideological positions and different worldviews for example indigenous and colonial. In order to draw out the implications of these concepts to the construction and interpretation of social issues and policy the paper focuses on social issues such as inequality, poverty, health, and education and the policy cycle. Students will work on assignments relevant to the real world context of policy such as reports in order to examine how social problems are framed and responded to in society and complete policy analysis.
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Paper Structure

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This paper is taught using a blended learning approach. Interactive workshops and additional lecture content will be provided face-to-face on Fridays. Didactic lecture content will be provided through Panopto recordings made available to the students each week. Students are encouraged to email the lecturer or attend the optional tutorial on Fridays if they have questions about the lecture material or readings.

Students are expected to complete weekly readings for the workshops and come prepared to engage in group activities and team based research.

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Identify and describe the policy cycle
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  • Identify and describe the value positions embedded in the concepts of justice, equality and freedom.
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  • Identify, apply and synthesise different sociological frameworks for defining social problems
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  • Describe and apply the concepts of ideology and hegemony
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  • Identify and distinguish between the key political ideological positions (social democratic, neo-liberal, third way and conservative).
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  • Compile research from a range of academic sources (textbooks, journal articles and news media) to produce evidence-based commentary.
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  • Combine material from independent research to produce a report describing a specific social problem.
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  • Demonstrate self-directed research skills and writing relevant to introductory policy analysis in an exam setting.
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  • Participate effectively in group activities.
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Assessment

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Full details for each assessment item can be found on Moodle.
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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 67:33. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 33% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 67:33 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 33% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Workshops
22
  • Hand-in: In Workshop
2. Draft report
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Final report
28 Sep 2018
11:30 PM
30
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Exam
33
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Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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Required and Recommended Readings

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Required Readings

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Compulsory readings for class each week are available on the Reading List through the library or be taken from the textbook, which is:
Cheyne, C., O’Brien, M., and Belgrave, M. (2008). Social Policy in Aotearoa New Zealand. (4th ed). South Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
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Recommended Readings

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  • Drake, R. F. (2001). The principles of Social Policy. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Additional Readings for further information (if required)

  • Duncan, G. (2004). Society and Politics: New Zealand Social Policy. Auckland: Pearson Education.
  • Dean, H. (2006). Social policy: Short introductions. Cambridge: Polity Press.
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Online Support

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This paper is supported on Moodle; PowerPoints, lecture recordings, assessment guidelines, material from the paper outline will be made available there in relevant topic areas.
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Workload

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Students will need to allocate approximately 24 hours to listen to Panopto recordings and a further 24-36 hours to attending face-to-face classes (note the varied figure is due to the optional nature of the tutorial. Students will therefore need to allocate a minimum of 90 hours (5-6 hours a week) over the course of the 17 weeks to independent study that includes completing readings, conducting research, writing up reports, preparing for and completing the exam.
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Linkages to Other Papers

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This paper specifically builds on the first-year social policy paper (SOCPY100) and bridges students into the third-year social policy paper (SOCP302).
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Prerequisite(s)

Prerequisite papers: SOCPY100 or SOCP102 or SOCIO101 or SOCY101

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

Restricted papers: SOCP206

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