Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Associate Prof in Dept of Sociology | Convenor and lecturer
Shaun Wilson
Contact via email
C344 New Arts Building
By email or consultation
Lecturer and Tutor
Dr Antonina Gentile
Contact via Email
Level 3 New Arts Building
By email or phone appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Few areas in sociology generate as many questions and as much debate as the role of social policy and the welfare state. Can we afford generous social policies or is the 'age of entitlement' over? What role should governments, families, the community and individuals play in providing welfare? Does tighter scrutiny of welfare benefits improve efficiency and independence or is it intrusive and unfair? And, how is social policy developed in a world of competing interests and power? This unit addresses these questions as it introduces students to the history, design and institutions of social policy. We look particularly at current Australian social policy and consider how policymakers deal with problems such an ageing population, precarious work and housing, the provision of care, and the targeting and financing of a welfare state. We also explore the role that power, ideas and institutions play in shaping policy debates. The unit is especially useful for students interested in policy practice and analysis, care and human services, social inequality, and political economy.
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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:
There are two major assessment tasks in this course. Together they are designed to aid your learning, encourage you to engage with the course material and test your knowledge. We hope you find them enjoyable and interesting to complete.
The main assignment can be submitted via Turnitin.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Assignment | 25% | No | Sunday 27 Sept at 9pm |
Take home exam | 60% | No | Date to be advised |
Class participation | 10% | No | Weekly |
Workbook | 5% | No | End of week 13 |
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Sunday 27 Sept at 9pm
Weighting: 25%
An Assignment task consisting of 5 questions on topical questions in social policy and based on readings.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Date to be advised
Weighting: 60%
An exam is the main assessment task for this unit. It will be held at the end of the session. See iLearn for more information.
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
Participation in lectures and tutorials.
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: End of week 13
Weighting: 5%
Complete workbook tasks related to tutorials & lectures
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
COVID-19 teaching arrangements
Week | Lecture topic -- ALL LECTURES PODCASTS | Tutorial topic | ||
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1 - Jul 31 | Introduction to social policy | No tutorial in week 1 | SW | |
2 - Aug 7 | Social risks, social policy | Social risks over the life-course: the disruptions of Covid-19 | SW | |
3 - Aug 14 | Poverty, food security and homelessness | Why are people poor? | SW | |
4 - Aug 21 | The dynamics of inequality | 2016 Census data, inequality and social planning | SW | |
5 - Aug 28 | Class foundations of social policy | Does class matter today? | SW | |
6 - Sep 4 | Australia's welfare state | Public support for the welfare state | SW | |
7 - Sep 11 | The Nordic model versus the USA | No tutorial in week 7 | SW | |
Mid-semester break |
Sat 12 September through to SUN 27 September Assignment due Sun 27 Sept @9pm |
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8 - Oct 2 |
Comparative welfare states |
How the Australian welfare state works | SW/AG | |
9 - Oct 9 | Precarious work and workfare | What has happened with JobSeeker/Newstart? | SW | |
10 - Oct 16 | Indigenous Australia and social policy | A look at the Closing the Gap scorecard | SW | |
11 - Oct 23 | The gender foundations of welfare states | A look at the National Disability Insurance Scheme | SW | |
12 - Oct 30 | Health & Medicare | A look at the relationship between inequality and health | SW | |
13 - Nov 6 |
Ageing and social policy/ unit wrap |
Exam preparation plus release of study guide | SW | |
After classes | Take home exam during official exam period | Date to be advised | ||
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
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A closer focus on how social policy works across different levels of government in Australia.