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SOCI2030 – Introduction to Social Policy

2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Associate Prof in Dept of Sociology | Convenor and lecturer
Shaun Wilson
shaun.wilson@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
Room C344, Level 3, 25C Wally's Walk
By email or consultation
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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.

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

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Short answer assignment 1 45% No Friday Sept 23 at 9pm
Short answer assignment 2 45% No Friday Nov 4 at 9pm
Class participation 10% No weekly

Short answer assignment 1

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Friday Sept 23 at 9pm
Weighting: 45%

 

An assignment task consisting of 5 questions on topical questions in social policy and based on readings. 1250 words

 
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.

Short answer assignment 2

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Friday Nov 4 at 9pm
Weighting: 45%

 

An assignment task consisting of 5 questions on topical questions in social policy and based on readings. 1250 words

 
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
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.

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

TEACHING ARRANGEMENTS in 2022 

  • Live, in-person lectures 2pm to 4pm weekly from Wednesday July 27 (PRICE THEATRE 23 Wallys Walk - P.G.Price Theatre) 
  • Tutorials in week 2 (from either Wednesday August 3 or Thursday August 4) 
  • Looking forward to meeting you at the end of July. 

Unit Schedule

I. INTRO AND CONCEPTS 

Week 1 (Wed July 27)  Lecture: Greetings and Introduction to social policy No tutorial in week 1  

Week 2 (Wed Aug 3) Lecture: Social risks and social policy: class and life-course (Tutorial: Risks over the life-course)  

Week 3 (Wed Aug 10) Lecture: Poverty, food security and homelessness (Tutorial: Why are people poor?)  

Week 4 (Wed Aug 17) Lecture: The dynamics of inequality (Tutorial: 2021 Census data, inequality and social planning) 

Week 5 (Wed August 24) Lecture: Power resources of the welfare state (Tutorial: Class, class interests, and social policy) 

II. COMPARING POLICIES AND WELFARE STATES

Week 6 (Wed Aug 31) Lecture: Australia's welfare state (Tutorial: Public support for the welfare state) 

Week 7 (Wed Sep 7) Lecture: The Nordic model versus the United States (Tutorial: Social policy and pandemic)

**Mid-semester break: Sat Sep 10 through to Sunday Sep 25 | Assignment 1 due Friday 23 Sept @9pm**

Week 8 (Wed Sep 28) Lecture: Comparative welfare states: typologies and tools (Tutorial: How the Australian welfare state works)

III. AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL POLICY 

Week 9 (Wed Oct 5 ) Lecture: Precarious work, JobSeeker, and workfare (Tutorial: Debating JobSeeker)  

Week 10 (Wed Oct 12) Lecture: Indigenous Australia and social policy (Tutorial: A look at the Closing the Gap score) 

Week 11 (Wed Oct 19) Lecture: Gender foundations of welfare states (Tutorial: Women's employment, childcare, and social policy) 

Week 12 (Wed Oct 26) Lecture: Health & Medicare (Tutorial: Inequality and health)  

Week 13 (Wed Nov 2) Lecture wrap: Ageing and social policy + revision (Tutorial: Social policy for an ageing country + Unit wrap)

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2022.04 of the Handbook