Unit name | Poverty, Social Exclusion and Social Policy |
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Unit code | SPOL20019 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Gumy |
Open unit status | Open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit focuses on poverty, deprivation and exclusion, and income maintenance policy. Thus we look at the distribution of poverty and consider whether state income maintenance policies resolve poverty, or even intend to. The unit begins with an in-depth study of the definitions and measurements of poverty, deprivation and exclusion, whilst highlighting issues of age, gender, ethnicity, poverty amongst children and disability. We then consider the role of policy in providing social security. For instance, we explore income maintenance policies and the ways in which the objectives and outcomes of social security systems have changed in recent years. Is the social security system aimed at reducing inequalities between income groups and different household types, or is it used it to encourage particular behaviours?
Aims:
The unit aims to introduce students to the role of social security in the welfare state, to the relationship between social security policies and poverty, deprivation and social exclusion and to different theoretical perspectives in this field.
The key learning outcomes are follows. Students are expected:
Lectures and seminars.
Assessment will be against the programme criteria defined for the appropriate level.
Formative assessment: One 2000- 2500 word essay
Summative assessment : Level I - 3 000 word essay