Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
SP30013: Social security policy and welfare reform |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Honours |
| Period: | Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take SP10001 and take SP10002 |
| Description: | Aims: 1. To compare different ways of meeting financial need, and in particular recent 'welfare reforms' in the UK, the USA and Australia; 2. To critically examine the assumptions and values that structure social security provision. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, students will have: * studied key texts relating to the goals and welfare reform in the UK, Australia and the USA (including government papers, Select Committee reports, independent reports); * analysed the role of political institutions and critical actors in the reform processes in these countries; * explored the methods and criteria for the evaluation of the outcomes of social security policy; * in respect of the UK, examined in detail whether and how the needs of different 'client' groups are met. By the end of the unit, students should be able to: * identify and apply appropriate criteria for the analysis of policy goals and outcomes in respect of social security policy. Skills: * To think creatively and analytically; * To communicate an argument; * To evaluate others' arguments and research; * To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information; * To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.); * To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge; * To develop revision and examination skills; * To develop time-management and administrative skills; * To develop presentation skills and verbal communication (i.e. oral presentations, seminar and tutorial contributions); * To develop team and group working skills. Content: The scope of structure of social security policy; Models of social security policy; Reviews and reforms; Australia, USA and UK; Social Security Expenditure trends; Benefit take-up and adequacy; Fraud and Abuse. Reform in relation to specific policy areas; Unemployment and work incentives; Families and lone parents, Child Support; Housing; Pensions; Disability; tax credits. |