| 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. Mohun Himmelweit |
| 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?
In this unit, you will examine the development of the British welfare state in comparative perspective. The unit aims to answer the question ‘why do we have the welfare state that we do?’ by looking at how and why UK welfare institutions developed and the similarities and differences with the development of other welfare states. To do this it focuses on the social and political contexts of these developments and examines the continuities and changes over time in how social problems and solutions were conceived. It therefore provides you with both an introduction to the British welfare state and to key features of welfare states in other countries.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This is a core foundational unit for the single honours social policy programme and the single honours international social and public policy programme, where it complements the other mandatory units which explore theoretical and conceptual understandings of social policy. If you are studying a joint or combined honours social policy programme, the unit is available as an optional unit, offering the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the development of welfare states. You may then choose options in later years of the programme which allow you to explore specific policy areas beyond this introductory level.
An overview of content
By exploring the question ‘why do we have the welfare state that we do?’ this unit introduces you to the development of British welfare institutions and of welfare states more broadly. It places the development of the British welfare state in comparative perspective by examining the similarities and differences with welfare developments elsewhere. The unit covers four periods: 19th century reforms which were part of the transition from an agricultural to an industrial society; early 20th century foundations of welfare states; the post-war settlement and the ‘Golden Age of welfare’; and the challenges, restructuring and retrenchments which have characterised welfare states from the late 1970s to the present day.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will gain knowledge of the development of UK welfare institutions and welfare states more broadly and an appreciation of continuities and change in how societies respond to social needs. This will provide a foundation for your later study of comparative and international social policies, and more in-depth study of specific areas of policy.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
The unit is taught through two hours of lectures and a one hour seminar each week. There will be structured preparation for each seminar, which will expand on the key content of the lecture and support you in developing your knowledge and understanding.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative learning will take place in seminars which will help prepare you for the summative assessment tasks.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Policy Brief 1000 words maximum (25%) - this assessment covers ILOs 1,2 & 3
Essay 2000 words maximum (75%) - this assessment covers ILOs 1 & 2
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, unsuccessful students may be offered an opportunity for reassessment in the failed element(s). This will comprise a task of 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. SPOL10034).
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.
