Foundations of Social Policy

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The subject engages with contemporary theories of social inclusion and capital with an emphasis on networks and their role in community strengthening, community building and regional economic development. The subject also engages in the role these strategies have in larger projects of social policy reform such as the Third Way, the Partnership movement and "joined-up" government. The subject will engage in specific social policy issues (health, housing, welfare, employment etc) as a means to investigate the use of social capital and network analysis techniques.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• have developed research skills, through the competent use of library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;

• have developed an understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of research;

• have developed critical thinking and analysis skills, through recommended READING, essay writing, and seminar discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• have developed skills in written and oral communication, time management and planning, and group work, through completion of course requirements;

• have developed the capacity to think in theoretical terms, through class requirements and engagement with theories and methods of the social sciences;

• have developed the capacity to think creatively, through course work and course discussion, and by critical analysis of competing arguments.