SOCPY200-21A (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)

Darelle Howard

Darelle Howard
J.G.22
See Moodle
darelle.howard@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 focuses on pressing social issues such as inequality, unemployment, welfare and income adequacy and housing. Students will work on assignments that solidify their understandings of complex policy problems as well as assignments relevant to the real world context of policy, such as reports that examine how social problems are framed and responded to in society.

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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 recorded using Panopto. There are also 10 online tutorial activities to complete over the course of the semester, where students will respond to discussion questions/a set activity via weekly discussion forums on Moodle. The requirements of each activity are described in full on Moodle, with each activity needing to be completed by the end of each relevant week.

The workload for this paper has been calculated based on 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, attending the two hours of contact (lecture) time each week, and completing set tutorial exercises.

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:

  • Interpret the relationship between social policy and social issues
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Identify and apply the sociological framework of 'wicked problems'
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  • Describe and distinguish between key political ideological positions
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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.
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessment

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This paper is 100% internally assessed, comprised of the components listed below
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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. Essay
12 Apr 2021
12:00 AM
20
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Social Problem Report
24 May 2021
12:00 AM
27
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Online Tutorial Exercises - Weekly
20
  • Online: Moodle Forum Discussion
4. Test
7 Jun 2021
12:00 AM
33
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
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 listed on Moodle under the relevant weeks
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Recommended Readings

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  • Cheyne, C. O'Brien, M. Belgrave, M. (2008). Social Policy in Aotearoa New Zealand (4th ed). Victoria: Oxford University Press.
  • Drake, R. F. (2001). The principles of Social Policy. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
  • 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, and 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 24 hours of allocated contact time over the course of the semester. Students will therefore need to allocate the remaining 126 hours (7-8 hours a week) over the course of the 17 weeks to independent study that includes completing readings, conducting research, and writing up essays and reports.
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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 papers (SOCPY300/301). 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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