Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Adam Stebbing
Contact via adam.stebbing@mq.edu.au
W6A 824
By appointment
Guest
Ben Spies-Butcher
Contact via ben.spies-butcher@mq.edu.au
Guest
Tobia Fattore
Contact via tobia.fattore@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
SOC810
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on a specific aspect of social policy making and applied social research. This unit will have three parts. The first part engages with key concepts of social policy and the welfare state. The second part outlines three historical welfare models (Australia, Sweden and the United States) and offers tools for classifying political and social dynamics surrounding welfare states. The third part looks at the contemporary political and social dynamics surrounding welfare states. Across the semester, we keep a focus on welfare policy-making in Australia and recent social policy changes.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Annotated Bibliography | 15% | Week 5 workshop |
Critical Review | 25% | Week 8 workshop |
Research Essay | 50% | Week 13 workshop |
Workshop Engagement | 10% | Ongoing |
Due: Week 5 workshop
Weighting: 15%
This annotated bibliography can be thought of as a component of the larger research essay. The first thing this task requires you to do is select an essay question to focus on for both this task and research essay. Make sure that you have a look at both tasks before selecting an option (the essay questions you can choose between are listed below).
Annotated bibliographies are important research tools that provide us with a record of the sources that we have examined over the course of a research project. So, what is an annotated bibliography? An annotated bibliography is an organised list of sources, each of which is followed by a brief note or ‘annotation’ of about 250 words (in this case).
These annotations should seek to do two or more of the following:
•briefly describe the content and focus of the source (this is crucial, but please do not just do this)
•comment on the position it takes on the policy
•comment on the methods used in the source
•evaluate the source’s methods and conclusions
•record your reactions to the source.
An annotated bibliography summarises to a large extent the core argument of several sources. The first step is to describe the work and its topic. In this part, you will repeat the author's ideas, not your own. Please avoid providing an overview of the source's layout - make sure that you are focused on outlining and explaining the main ideas.
Previous sources can themselves provide us with access to other relevant sources. So, you should also identify up to 3 cross-references from each source, which requires you to search the reference list for other sources of interest and to write down their citations. Choose the most relevant sources. If you have any queries about this, ask the unit convenor.
For this annotated bibliography, you need to collect 10 references that are relevant to the policy that you have selected. You should provide an annotation for three references. When choosing the other sources, keep in mind that academic sources are preferred and that you will need a range of sources.
N.B. You do not have to provide an annotation for all the sources you collect.
Due: Week 8 workshop
Weighting: 25%
You need to select one of the required readings from Week 3, 4, 5 or 6. Provide an overview of the reading: what are the key points made and what is the overall argument? How does the author support their arguments? Then provide a short critique of the piece drawing on other readings from that or other weeks.
This does not mean you need to dismiss the original argument, just that you should consider key criticisms that have been made or how the argument fits with other issues raised by other authors. You should end with a brief conclusion identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the article.
Remember this is not a research essay. The aim is to look at one argument in detail. You do not need many references (3 or 4 from the list is adequate, including the reading itself). You might choose to cite a reference that is not from the list if you wish. The list is simply a guide, but you are not expected to undertake wide-reaching independent research for this task.
Due: Week 13 workshop
Weighting: 50%
This individual research task tests your ability to apply and engage with concepts covered in the unit to the essay question, your ability to find and use good evidence, and your skills as a writer. You are required to provide a critical response to ONE of the essay questions that will be made available on iLearn from week 7. These questions will relate to the broad themes of social inequality and social policy that are central to this course.
This assignments should be written in the format of an academic essay, with a clearly defined introduction, body and conclusion. It should be written in paragraphs and double spaced. You also need to write clearly and use formal language. Take care to use jargon appropriately and define key concepts.
This is a research assignment. Course materials should be your starting point. But, you are expected to draw on readings and materials beyond the course readings. This should include material listed as 'additional readings' and material that you find yourself. All material should be properly referenced, preferably using the Harvard style of referencing. Please do not draw directly on lecture notes and consult original sources where possible.
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
The weekly workshops are compulsory. To meet the requirements of this course, you are required to attend at least 80 per cent of workshops. In addition to attending, you are also expected to actively participate. As an incentive, 10 percent of your final mark will be awarded for your attendance and your participation. We will look for evidence that you have done the readings and your ability to engage respectfully with other students.
Course Delivery
For SOCI704, you need to attend the weekly two-hour seminar during semester.
See http://timetables.mq.edu.au for information on rooms.
Texts for SOCI 704
There is no required text set for this unit. The readings will be availble on e-reserve. Many are already available. Make sure that you try searching for the course code 'SOC810', 'SOCI 704' and the author's surname of the relevant reading (search for each separately).
While there is no need to buy a textbook, we have put together a list of recommended texts that should help you throughout the semester. These sources are online and can also be ordered through the Co-op bookshop:
Alcock, P. and. G. Craig (2009) International Social Policy: Welfare regimes in the developed world, Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.
Fawcett, B., Goodwin, S., Meagher, G. and R. Phillips (2010) Social Policy for Social Change, Palgrave Macmillan: Melbourne.
McClelland, A. and P. Smyth (2010) Social Policy in Australia: Understanding for Action, Oxford University Press: Melbourne.
Pierson, C. and F.G. Castles (2010) The Welfare State Reader, 2nd Edition, Polity Press: Cambridge.
iLearn page
Important information about the weekly schedule, course readings and assessment are all available on the course iLearn page. If you do not have access, please contact IT help. You are required to check iLearn and your student email regularly for course updates and information.
Information about Turnitin
All written assessments need to be submitted online via Turnitin only. A link to Turnitin is available via the Assessments tab on the iLearn page. Please contact the convenor if you cannot find it (do not leave it until the day of the assessment). Written assessments are due by 6pm at the start of the relevant workshop. But, there is no need to submit a hard copy of the assessment or to include a cover sheet.
Grademark
Feedback will be made available online via GradeMark. It will take four majors forms (in no particular order): specific comments in the text of your paper; overall comments; a score on a qualitative rubric (that cannot be used to calculate your mark numerically); and a numeric score. Once you have received your assignment back, please make sure that you have access to these forms of feedback.
Readings on e-reserve
The readings for the course should be available free-of-charge via e-Reserve. e-Reserve can be accessed via the Macquarie University library website.
The recommended texts, assessment structure and the course readings have changed since the last offering of this unit.
Wk |
Date |
Lecture Topics |
Lecturer |
1 |
4 Mar |
Introduction to Developing Social Policy |
AS |
2 |
11 Mar |
Poverty and Inequality: Key social policy concepts |
AS |
3 |
18Mar |
The Great Risk Shift? Risk, markets and new social policies |
AS |
4 |
25 Mar |
Developing Social Policy: From policy cycles to ‘muddling through’ |
TF |
5 |
1 Apr |
Developing Social Policy II: Welfare, markets and the state |
BSB |
6 |
8 Apr |
Analysing Social Policy: Frameworks for understanding |
AS |
7 |
29 Apr |
An Australian Story: The wage-earners model and beyond |
AS |
8 |
6 May |
The US Model vs. the Swedish folkshemmet |
AS |
9 |
13 May |
Closing the Gap? Recent developments in Indigenous social policy |
AS |
10 |
20 May |
Reforming Income Support: Dependency, deservingness & surveillance |
AS |
11 |
27 May |
Population Ageing, Retirement and Social Policy |
AS |
12 |
3 Jun |
Health Policy in Australia and Around the World |
AS |
13 |
10 Jun |
Course Conclusion |
AS |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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