Students
SOCI2030 – Introduction to Social Policy
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
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.
General Information
Download as PDF
| 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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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual problems in measuring and evaluating social and economic inequality
- ULO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of social and economic inequality and society’s response to it.
- ULO3: Apply basic concepts of social policy to a range of contemporary welfare debates, dilemmas and problems
- ULO4: Assess and analyse the characteristics and potential future problems in relation to welfare states and their design of social policies.
- ULO5: Demonstrate an understanding of key components and connections between work (labour market), families and social security systems.
General Assessment Information
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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 25% | No | Sunday 27 Sept @ 9pm |
| Take home exam | 60% | No | After week 13 |
| Class participation | 10% | No | Weekly contributions to the Social Policy Blog |
| Workbook | 5% | No | week 13 |
Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Sunday 27 Sept @ 9pm
Weighting: 25%
An Assignment task consisting of 5 questions on topical questions in social policy and based on readings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual problems in measuring and evaluating social and economic inequality
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of social and economic inequality and society’s response to it.
- Apply basic concepts of social policy to a range of contemporary welfare debates, dilemmas and problems
- Assess and analyse the characteristics and potential future problems in relation to welfare states and their design of social policies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key components and connections between work (labour market), families and social security systems.
Take home exam
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: After week 13
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual problems in measuring and evaluating social and economic inequality
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of social and economic inequality and society’s response to it.
- Apply basic concepts of social policy to a range of contemporary welfare debates, dilemmas and problems
- Assess and analyse the characteristics and potential future problems in relation to welfare states and their design of social policies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key components and connections between work (labour market), families and social security systems.
Class participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly contributions to the Social Policy Blog
Weighting: 10%
Participation in lectures and tutorials.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual problems in measuring and evaluating social and economic inequality
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of social and economic inequality and society’s response to it.
- Apply basic concepts of social policy to a range of contemporary welfare debates, dilemmas and problems
- Assess and analyse the characteristics and potential future problems in relation to welfare states and their design of social policies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key components and connections between work (labour market), families and social security systems.
Workbook
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: week 13
Weighting: 5%
Complete workbook tasks related to tutorials & lectures
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual problems in measuring and evaluating social and economic inequality
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of social and economic inequality and society’s response to it.
- Apply basic concepts of social policy to a range of contemporary welfare debates, dilemmas and problems
- Assess and analyse the characteristics and potential future problems in relation to welfare states and their design of social policies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key components and connections between work (labour market), families and social security systems.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
COVID-19 teaching arrangements
- Lectures will recorded each Friday 9am-11am & will be made available by podcast on I-Learn.
- There are a mix of tutorial options to choose from on Fridays.
Unit Schedule
| Week | Lecture topic -- ALL LECTURES PODCASTS | Tutorial topic | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
Policies and Procedures
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
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).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
A closer focus on how social policy works across different levels of government in Australia.