| Unit name | Formal & Informal Social Protection in Theory and Practice |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM0091 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Mumtaz |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Social protection is a vital policy instrument for achieving social policy goals, yet traditional models predominantly emphasize formal, state-led mechanisms. This “statist” approach overlooks the significant role of informal social protection, particularly in developing countries, where it meets the needs of large populations. Despite its importance, informal social protection remains underexplored in social policy literature and practice.
In this unit, you will adopt a holistic approach to social policy development through the lens of “welfare systems.” You will examine how societies address social needs using both formal and informal provisions, while engaging with academic and policy debates in the Global North and South. You will also explore the impact of colonial legacies on welfare systems. By gaining this knowledge, you will be better equipped to understand and reform social policies to tackle global challenges, making this unit invaluable for your career in social work, policymaking, INGOs, or development.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This optional unit gives you the opportunity to explore how various ideas, actors, and institutions have historically shaped—and continue to influence—social policy-making and analysis. It introduces you to innovative frameworks and approaches for analysing social policy in diverse contexts. By doing so, this unit complements other MPP units by engaging you with a wide range of theoretical and conceptual debates, examining processes within the global political economy, understanding the roles of actors across different spatial scales, and discussing the nature, scope, and effectiveness of policies in the public policy process.
An overview of content
In this unit, you will explore theories, concepts, frameworks, and approaches in social policy that address social needs. You will analyse the roles of the state and market in meeting these needs, critically assessing these approaches to understand the insufficient focus on informal welfare in social policy development and analysis. You will also study and assess various frameworks and approaches for examining welfare systems, including welfare regimes, community and bureaucratic regimes, and colonial legacies, specifically within the context of Global South countries, developing a holistic understanding of social policy-making and analysis across diverse contexts.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will learn about the complexities of social policy-making while exploring formal and informal welfare mechanisms to enhance your critical thinking and analytical skills. You will be able to analyse societal challenges, advocate for inclusive policies, and design solutions for marginalized communities with empathy and responsibility. This unit will foster personal growth by developing a commitment to social justice and equity and preparing you to make a positive impact in your field and community.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will consist of lectures, independent and group learning activities, and seminars. Independent activities will involve structured reading, engagement with audio/visual resources and a range of interactive data sources. Lectures will cover the more conceptual and theoretical aspects of the unit, whilst applied learning will take the form of independent self-study, group-study, and interactive seminars, the latter involving elements of tutor feedback and peer-assessment. Feedback will be provided for formative assessment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will work individually and in groups to deepen your understanding of the issues discussed in the unit. Seminar exercises and discussions will help you prepare for the summative assignment by enhancing your ability to construct arguments, critically evaluate academic articles, and interpret evidence from a wide range of sources.
As part of the formative assessment, you will deliver an individual or group presentation on an assigned topic. This activity will help you develop your skills in effectively communicating and critically debating complex social policy issues. You will receive individual or group feedback on your presentation.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay (3000 words maximum, 100%)
This assessment covers all the intended learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you may submit a revised version of your previous assignment or complete an alternative assessment in the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM0091).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
