196-004 Contemporary Social Policy

Admission into the Bachelor of Social Work for BSW students or for Bachelor of Arts students, 37.5 points of second/third-year arts subjects.

This subject introduces students to the principles and concepts by which they can decipher and read contemporary social policy so as to understand the way government decision making changes the distribution of supports and opportunities to different groups in society and how this ultimately affects human lives. The subject highlights the value basis of policy decisions and the inherently political nature of social policy analysis, practice and advice. In addition, the subject demonstrates the unique role of social work for social policy development both because of its professional commitment to the principles of social justice as well as its integrated practice methods that allow it to keep in touch with the impacts of the broader policy environment as well as working within that policy environment.

• be able to critically analyse texts and policy documents;

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

• be able to communicate effectively in writing;

• be able to link theory to practice.

An essay of 4000 words 100% (due at the end of the semester). A hurdle requirement of a minimum 75% attendance of tutorials required.

A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester