Social Policy: Special Topics

This subject is not offered in 2013.

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Public Policy or Sociology at Undergraduate level

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/

March 2013

Special Topic: Social Policy: Immigration, multiculturalism and employment

The subject engages with the theoretical and practical challenges migration and the ensuing cultural diversity present to social policy and program design with a focus on the area of employment. Drawing on current research and policy from the Australian and international contexts, it critically examines employment-related inequalities and injustice faced by immigrants in different welfare contexts. The subject explores the links between current immigration policy trends and social policies and investigates the role of multiculturalism as social policy. A range of policies, programs and practice will be analysed through different theoretical lenses in relation to their multi-cultural constituencies. On completion of this subject students should have developed and applied a critical understanding of the conceptual and practical significance of immigration and cultural diversity for social policy design.

Upon successful completion of this subject students are expected to:

• Have a critical understanding of the key challenges concerning the relationship between immigration, multiculturalism and social policy

• Have a critical understanding of the ways in which different welfare states have responded to these challenges

• Have an ability to critically analyse social policies and programs in the context of immigration and cultural diversity

A research paper of 1000 words, on a question as guided by the subject co-ordinator (20%) due 2 weeks after the delivery of the subject, and a research essay of 4000 words, on a question as guided by the subject co-ordinator (80%) due 8 weeks after the delivery of the subject.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory on all 3 days. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop. Further readings will be posted on the subject LMS site prior to the commencement of the intensive teaching period.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• 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.