Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Social Policy

• Unit Code

  SWK4106

• Year

  2018

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Mrs Jennifer Ruth HENDERSON

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Description

This unit outlines major theoretical approaches to the study of social policy within a historical and contemporary Australian context. It will build upon the specific knowledge gained in previously studied policy and politics units. Students will explore the philosophical concepts and ideological positions which underpin current debates relevant to social policy and social work practice. Students will also develop the skills to critically analyse policy and communicate policy analysis.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply a critical policy analysis framework to contemporary Australian social policies.
2. Articulate an understanding of the key social policy debates and appraise current policies in Australia and internationally, particularly as they relate to rural and remote communities.
3. Articulate and reflect on their values and ideological positions, which inform approaches to social problems and social policies.
4. Identify and apply skills in policy analysis and communication.
5. Identify the influence of the various theoretical and ideological positions on the policy development process and specific social policies.

Unit Content

1. Definitions of social policy and the policy process and the relevance of social policy to social work practice.
2. Overview of current social policy issues and the relevance to social work such as: privatisation, contracting of services, corporatisation, economic rationalism, and the New Right; social justice strategies. Welfare and citizenship; institutionalism/residualism.
3. Regionalisation and decentralised decision-making \ remote communities and issues of privatisation.
4. Techniques of communicating policy analysis.
5. The components of a critical policy analysis framework.
6. The relationship between approaches to social problems (private/public issues), social change, values/ideology and social policy, and how these are reflected in political platforms and particular policy areas by applying major conventional classifying perspectives.

Learning Experience

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and tutorials, student discussion groups, student presentations, guest speakers and video resources.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Core Reading(s)

• McClelland, A., & Smyth, P. (2014). Social policy in Australia: Understanding for action (3rd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.

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