Social Policy: Special Topics

Subject PPMN90003 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

September, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Intensive mode – 9:00am – 5:00pm 15 – 17 September 2010.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Admission to the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma or Honours in Sociology, Master of Social Policy, Master of Criminology or Master of Public Policy and Management.
Corequisites: none
Recommended Background Knowledge: Public Policy or Sociology at Undergraduate level
Non Allowed Subjects: none
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Thomas Davis, Prof Paul Smyth

Contact

To be advised

Subject Overview:

The subject involves a study of an approved topic in social policy. It is intended that the subject assist students in broadening their understanding of social policy issues by taking advantage of an area of study offered from time to time by visiting academics. Students who complete this subject should demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied; where appropriate, have contributed effectively to the work of the seminar being attended; show a capacity for an advanced level of analysis in relation to the issues being studied; and show an awareness of the latest research directions in the particular subject.

Objectives:
  • be able to demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied.
  • show a good capacity to communicate research in written form.
  • have developed the analytical skills to evaluate th core issue of the subject.
  • have an awareness of the contemporary theoretical debates in the subject.
  • be able to demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research.
Assessment: A literature review of 1500 words (20%) due mid-semester, and a research essay of 3500 words (80%) due during examination period.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to demonstrate competence in critical, creative and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgments and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis.
  • be able to demonstrate proficiency in the application of policy analysis skills to empirical problems.
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.
Related Course(s): Master of Criminology (CWT)
Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework)
Master of Social Policy

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