196-003 Winners? Losers? Inequality in Australia

Formerly known as Social Work and Social Change 1 and Theorising Social Inequality. Students who have completed Social Work and Social Change 1 or Theorising Social Inequality are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Admission into the Bachelor of Social Work or for Bachelor of Arts students, 50 points of first-year subjects.

This subject considers the ways in which social inequality can be understood and explores the development of social policy and community services in Australia. It includes an historical analysis of approaches to 'welfare' or well-being, and considers social work practice within the context of social inequality, as it is produced and re-produced through socioeconomic class, race, ethnic and gender relations. The subject considers contemporary policy in the light of historical concepts and ways of understanding and asks to what extent these are mirrored in the way Australian welfare is currently delivered. Students who complete the subject should comprehend different theoretical approaches to understanding the provision of 'welfare' or social well-being and the development of social policy.

• have skills in reading and understanding policy documents and legislation;

• be aware of the competing interests that together shape such policies and documents;

• be able to link theory and practice;

• be able to organise issues and competing arguments into logical frameworks of presentation.

An essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and an essay of 2000 words 50% (due at the end of semester).

Students should check with the subject coordinator prior to the purchase of texts as additional or alternative texts may be substituted for those listed below.

• P Mendes, Australia's Welfare Wars. Allen & Unwin 2003.
• A Greig, F Lewins and K White, Inequality in Australia. Cambridge University Press 2003.
• P Saunders, The Ends and Means of Welfare. Cambridge University Press 2002.