Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Dr. Emma Mitchell
Contact via Email
South Wing, Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub
By appointment
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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 Developing Social Policy
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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:
Academic Honesty is an integral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
More information is available from Policy Central here.
The grade that a student receives will signify their overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of the unit of study. Graded units will use the following grades
HD High Distinction 85-100
D Distinction 75-84
Cr Credit 65-74
P Pass 50-64
F Fail 0-49
As per university policy, written assessments will be returned to students within three weeks of the submission date. Early assignments will not be marked early.
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
More information about Special Consideration is available here.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Macquarie University offers a range of wellbeing services (including [but not limited to]: health, welfare, counselling, disability and student advocacy services) that are available to you at any time during your studies. Campus Wellbeing is here to support you and help you succeed, both academically and personally. More information is available here.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Critical Review | 30% | No | 17th September |
Research Essay | 60% | No | 12th November |
Seminar Participation | 10% | No | Ongoing |
Due: 17th September
Weighting: 30%
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 as well as sources you find yourself. The aim of this assessment is to examine one argument in detail, but you are required to situate it within broader social policy and sociological debates (so it is important you do independent research).
Keep in mind that 'being critical' 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, as well as considering its limitations and strengths more broadly.
You should organise your critical review with an introduction, body and conclusion. It should be written in paragraphs and double-spaced. All material should be properly referenced, preferably using the Harvard style of referencing. Please do not draw directly on lecture notes (rather consult the sources that they draw on).
Due: 12th November
Weighting: 60%
The major assignment for SOCI704 is a research essay. This individual research task is designed to assess your ability to apply concepts taught in the unit to the essay question, your ability to find and use good evidence when discussing policy details, and your skills and efforts 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 6. These questions will relate to broad themes that are central to this course and a specific social policy domain(s) that you will be required to undertake research on.
This assignment should be written in the format of an academic essay, which require an 'argument' (a direct response to the research essay question) that is coherent and supported by evidence. We will assess how your essay balances theoretical explanation with policy description when presenting the argument. Academic essays should have a clearly defined introduction, body and conclusion. You should write in paragraphs and double-space your work. You also need to write clearly and use formal language. Take care to use jargon and headings appropriately.
This is a research assignment. Course materials should be your starting point. But, you are expected to draw on readings and material beyond course readings. This should include some of the material listed as 'additional readings' and also include other material you identify yourself. All material should be properly referenced, preferably using the Harvard style of referencing. Please do not draw directly on lecture notes (rather consult the sources that they draw on).
N.B. More information will be provided on the course iLearn page over the semester.
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
The weekly seminars are compulsory. To meet the requirements of this course, you are required to attend at least 80 per cent of seminars. 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, are active in class discussions and group work as well as your ability to engage respectfully with other students.
This course is delivered as a two-hour seminar on Wednesday evenings from 6pm in 25a Wallys Walk - 111 tutorial room.
Required and recommended resources
There is no required textbook for SOCI704. The following text is recommended, particularly if you are finding the course difficult.
McClelland, A. and P. Smyth (eds.) (2014) Social Policy in Australia: Understanding for Action, 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press: Melbourne.
Other required readings will be available via the 'unit reading' tab on the Library webpage, online thru the Library webpage or on the world wide web. Most are already available.
Before contacting teaching staff, make sure that you try searching for the course code 'SOC810', 'SOCI 704' and the author's surname of the relevant reading in Unit Readings (search for each separately) on the library website.
Other 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.
Marston, G., Macdonald, C. and L. Bryson (2013) The Australian Welfare State: Who Benefits Now? Palgrave Macmillan: South Yarra.
Pierson, C. and F.G. Castles (2010) The Welfare State Reader, 2nd Edition, Polity Press: Cambridge.
The following technologies are used in this course...
Make sure that you regularly check your student email for correspondence with teaching staff and course announcements.
iLearn
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.
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). 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.
Wk |
Seminar Topics |
Date |
1 |
Introduction to Developing Social Policy |
1 Aug |
2 |
An Australian Story: From the wage-earner's welfare state to beyond |
9 Aug |
3 |
Alleviating Poverty? The 'functions' of poverty and welfare |
15 Aug |
4 |
On Work & Welfare: Social policy for full employment? |
22 Aug |
5 |
Social Policy for Social Citizenship? Rights, obligations and solidarity |
29 Aug |
6 |
Managing Social Risk? Dealing with state and market failures |
5 Sep |
7 |
Understanding Social Policy Developments: From structural functionalism to historical institutionalism |
12 Sep |
Mid-semester study period |
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8 |
The Macro Dynamics of Welfare State Change: Contesting welfare, markets & the state |
3 Oct |
9 |
The Micro Dynamics of Welfare State Change: Policy cycles or 'muddling through'? |
10 Oct |
10 |
The Rise of Conditionality: 'Workfare' vs. the 'new paternalism' |
17 Oct |
11 |
The Shift to Markets: Neoliberalism, marketisation and financialisation |
24 Oct |
12 |
Closing the Gap? Persistent inequalities and Indigenous social policy |
31 Oct |
13 |
Course Conclusion |
7 Nov |
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:
Undergraduate 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).
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 shown in iLearn, 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.
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.
Macquarie University provides a range of health and wellbeing services for students. For details, visit:
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by: