SPSW2003
Social Policy in Australia
10 Units
Not available in 2012
Previously offered in 2013
This course builds on SPSW1001 Introduction to Human Services and Community Welfare by focusing in greater depth on key social policy fields at the national level in Australia. The course combines approaches associated with welfare studies with those of political science: thus for each social portfolio, it examines social inequalities that give rise to calls for government intervention, the institutional processes by which a government response is fought over and decided, and the social impact of the government intervention that occurs. The course pays particular attention to the level of government spending and regulation in each portfolio and how this shapes service delivery and service usage.
ObjectivesUpon successful completion of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to (i) document inequalities in economic and social conditions and the gender, ethnicity and geographical patterns in these inequalities; (ii) document the variation in the way these inequalities are viewed by organised pressure groups, political parties, the bureaucracy and other participants in the political and policy process; (iii) analyse the key characteristics of government policy and action; (iv) assess the impact of government policy and action on inequalities in economic and social conditions and the role of human service workers; (v) identify progressive alternatives to prevailing neo-liberal and other mainstream approaches; (vi) contribute to class discussion and to achieve levels of analytical and written expression appropriate to an upper level undergraduate course | ||
ContentTopics may include but need not be limited to * Economic Inequality and the Economic Policy Context * Social Policy in Australia: Overview and History * Employment and Training Programs * Income Support * Child care * Housing * Health * Aged Care * Disability * Women and Social Programs * Indigenous Programs * Competition Policy and Community Services * Who Pays for Social Programs?: Taxation and Redistribution | ||
Replacing Course(s)SPSW3414 Social Policy in Australia | ||
TransitionStudents who have completed SPSW3414 Social Policy in Australia may not enrol in this course. | ||
Industrial Experience0 | ||
Assumed Knowledge20 units of study at 1000 level | ||
Modes of DeliveryFlexible Delivery / Student Centred Learning Internal Mode | ||
Teaching MethodsLecture Seminar | ||
Assessment Items
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Contact HoursLecture: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term Seminar: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term |