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SPE301 Critical Issues in Social Policy (8)

Abstract

This subject aims to develop conceptual and theoretical understanding of basic issues in social policy and its usefulness for social policy practice. It critically discusses the meaning and nature of social policy, and significant events in the history of Australian social policy . It debates issues about social needs, goals and welfare reform, contemporary influences on social policy, the economic context, comparative perspectives and the need for balancing economic development with human/social development.

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Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details prior to contacting their course coordinator: SPE301
Where differences exist between the handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Humanities and Social Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
demonstrate an understanding of the contentious nature of social policy and the importance of social policy for practice;
demonstrate a critical understanding of significant events in Australian social policy history and different social policy approaches;
demonstrate an understanding of the issues relating to economic rationalism, managerialism and globalisation and their impact on the welfare state, social policies and social policy practice;
be able to critically debate social goals, values and welfare reform;
demonstrate an understanding of relevant economics concepts to understand certain social policy issues; and
demonstrate an understanding of the debate between economic development and social development and the importance of balancing the two.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
1. The nature of social policy and the importance of social policy for practice 2. Analyses of significant events in Australian social policy history 3. Approaches to social policy (residual, institutional, selective and universal) 4. Debates about social needs, goals and welfare reform vis a vis professional mission and principles 5. Contemporary influences of economic rationalism, managerialism, feminism and globalisation 6. Comparative social policy 7. The economic context and social policy 8. Balancing economic development with social development: the institutional perspective

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The information contained in the 2017 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 25 August 2017. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.