SOCPY200-20A (HAM)

Social Policy and Social Issues

15 Points

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Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Sociology and Social Policy

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Bill Cochrane

Bill Cochrane
4023
K.2.02
See Moodle
bill.cochrane@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Rogena Sterling

Rogena Sterling
6726
K.2.05B
See Moodle
rogena.sterling@waikato.ac.nz

Administrator(s)

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

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: melanie.chivers@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, 9 or 3 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.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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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 blended learning with resources made available on Moodle and lectures will be recorded using Panopto. There are also a 10 workshops were students will work in groups to complete tasks that are included in the paper's internal assessment. These workshops are described in full on Moodle and will be held most weeks on the Wednesday in KB.07. The workload for this paper has been calculated using the expectation that students will and are able to dedicate 150 learning hours to this paper over the course of the semester this includes completing weekly readings and attending the four hours of contact time each week.
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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the paper 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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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Social Problems Essay
28 Mar 2020
12:00 AM
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Social Problem Report
5 Jun 2020
12:00 AM
30
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Workshops
22
  • Hand-in: In Workshop
4. Exam
33
✔
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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Other Resources

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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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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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There are 48 hours of allocated contact time over the course of the semester. Students will therefore need to allocate the remaining 102 hours (6-7 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). The paper is also useful for students completing the policy stream in Environmental Planning. The social problems component links well with sociology and can support students' interests in gender and work-related issues.
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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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