SCW3310

Social Policy ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Olga Bursian

Offered:
Gippsland Second semester 2006 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2006 (OCL)

Synopsis: This unit interrogates the processes and politics of social policy-making within the Welfare State. It reviews procedures and instruments used to formulate, fund, implement, evaluate, and revise social policy, and critically examines the impact of major policy decisions on the welfare of citizens.

Objectives: This unit enables students to: 1. Understand the relationship between social, economic and public policy. 2. Understand the processes and politics of social policy making. 3. Understand alternative theoretical frameworks for analyzing social policy. 4. Assess the costs and benefits of a policy decision. 5. Understand the methods used to challenge and influence policy agenda, choices and directions.

Assessment: <On-campus students> Class presentation (20 minutes): 20% + Policy analysis (1500): 30% + Exam (2 hours): 50% <Off-campus students> Position paper (1000 words): 20% + Policy analysis (1500 words): 30% + Exam (2 hours): 50%

Contact Hours: 2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites: Two of GSC2303, GSC2304, SCW2312

Prohibitions: SCW2310, GSC2310