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SP10002: Social problems & social policy

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2015/6
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: ES 60%, OT 40%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Assessment Group N: Essay (60%) (asst grp N) (ES 60%)
  • Assessment Group N: Report (40%) (asst grp N) (OT 40%)
  • Assessment Group S: Essay (60%) (asst grp S) (ES 60%)
  • Assessment Group S: Report (40%) (asst grp S) (OT 40%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: SP10002 Coursework - Supplementary assessment only (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:

i. to introduce students to theoretical and empirical resources used in the analysis of social problems;
ii. to introduce students to an understanding of the framework, operation and financing of social policy;
iii. to apply these resources and this understanding to an analysis of the connections between social problems and social policies.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit students should be able to:
* seek out and use empirical evidence for analysing social problems and social policies;
* understand a range of theories and concepts used to analyse social problems and social policies;
* understand the distinction between normative and empirical questions;
* communicate and discuss ideas in writing and in discussion, including giving a brief presentation.

Skills:

* To think creatively and analytically.
* To communicate an argument.
* To evaluate others' arguments and research.
* To learn independently and be able to assess own learning needs (i.e. identify strengths and improve weaknesses in methods of learning and studying).
* To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information.
* To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding.
* Study & learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing).
* Basic ICT skills (word processing, email, using the web, use of VLEs).
* Interpersonal and communication skills.
* Essay research, preparation and writing skills.
* To construct a bibliography of varying complexity.
* Essay writing skills.
* Presentation skills.
* Team and group working skills.
* To manage time effectively and respond to changing demands.

Content:
Lectures
* the social construction of social problems (examples used may change, but could include poverty, social exclusion, disability, crime and anti-social behaviour, health inequalities, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, homelessness).
* social differences and social problems.
* theories of human need and wellbeing.
* social problems, power and the policy process (to include questions of funding, government, management, profession and administration).
Seminars
* Key themes of power, need and the role of the state.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

SP10002 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB15 : BSc(Hons) Social Work and Applied Social Studies (Year 1)

SP10002 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 1)

SP10002 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA(Hons) French and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA(Hons) German and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA(Hons) Italian ab inito and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA(Hons) Italian and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA(Hons) Russian ab inito and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA(Hons) Spanish and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 1)
Department of Psychology
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2015/16.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.