| Unit name | Social Policy Past and Present |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOL10034 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lart |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The unit will provide students with an introduction to the history of British social policy from the Poor Law, through the establishment of the post-war Welfare State, to the end of the Coalition government of 2010-15. It will focus on key areas of social policy such as poverty and social exclusion, health, housing, education and social care. The first part of the unit provides an overview of the evolution of the British Welfare State, following the historical narrative from the debates around pauperism in the early nineteenth century, through to the end of the Coalition government of 2010 – 15. The second section returns to look in detail at the key areas of social policy, and will explore significant points in their histories, and set the scene for understanding current policy.
Specifically, it will introduce students to:
1. The history of British social policy
2. How and why we have the social institutions of welfare that we do.
3. The ways in which ideology has informed the development British social policy
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to demonstrate:
Teaching will be delivered through blended learning by a combination of asynchronous and synchronous sessions. Asynchronous delivery will include narrated powerpoints providing an overview and framework for the topics delivered each week, and strctured exercises to be undertaken either individually or in pairs or groups. Synchronous teaching will be in a seminar format with a mixture of presentation by students from prepared work, and discussion.
Essay 1000 words (25%) Essay 2000 words (75%)
