Governance and Social Policy

Subject PPMN90044 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 contct hours: A 2-hour seminar per week over 12 weeks.
Total Time Commitment:

170 Hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
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 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

Coordinator

Miss Thu-Trang Tran

Contact

To Be Advised

Subject Overview:

This subject provides students with a series of critical approaches to the study of social policy and governance in modern societies. The subject bridges theories from sociology, political economy and criminology to develop students’ capacity to provide a holistic analysis of the policies surrounding social issues in modern societies in the light of global socio-economic changes. The subject will help students to understand and examine the potential contradictions that state interventions and law implementation have for specific socio-demographic groups. In addition, the subject aims to enhance students' ability for critical and independent thinking about contemporary policy concerns.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject, students should have:

• an understanding of a series of critical theoretical approaches to the study of social policy and governance in modern societies;

• the ability to apply certain theoretical perspectives to a variety of policy issues;

• enhanced ability to critically assess current policy issues with respect to political processes and social outcomes

• developed their skills in a range of cross-cutting and transferable skills' areas, including: critically analysing evidence and using this to develop and support a line of argument; presenting information visually and orally; engaging in group discussion; cooperating in team work and team assessment; commenting on public debates; communicating with different audiences; searching for academic literature and writing an extended essay

Assessment:
  • A research essay of 2500 words (50%) due mid-semester.
  • A research essay of 2500 words (50%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On successful completion of this subject students should:

• be able demonstrate critical thinking and analytic skills, through research and written communication;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, both orally and in writing;

• be able to display awareness and understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of research and of our place as researchers.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Social Policy
150 Point Master of Social Policy
200 Point Master of Social Policy

Download PDF version.