HUSE2001
10 units
2000 level
Course handbook
Description
This course examines key dimensions of social policy and policy-making, particularly the understanding of social policy as a political process. It looks at the influential and competing ideas that have underpinned the historical and contemporary development of the role of the state in social policy; the links between ideas and sectional 'interests'; the wider factors that drive social policy change; and the distributional consequences of policy change. It examines the role of political actors and governmental institutional architecture in forging the content of social policy and programs and explores the extent to which administrators and practitioners can modify policy in program delivery.
Availability2024 Course Timetables
Callaghan
- Semester 2 - 2024
Ourimbah
- Semester 2 - 2024
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Identify policy within a field of human services
2. Analyse the main ideas and values underlying policy
3. Critique the role of government and governance institutions in mediating policy formation
4. Assess and examine the impact of policy on workers, service users and other sections of the population
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the welfare system and its stakeholders
Content
The course will include the following topics:
Part A: Framework
- Policy/practice interaction
- The structural context: economic and social inequalities
- Wider drivers of policy change
- Ideologies of social policy
- Disciplinary perspectives
- Political actors
- Governmental institutions
- Social policy and overall public policy budgeting
- Models of service delivery
- Competitive tendering and performance measurement regimes
- Autonomy for human service workers?: professional values and policy constraints
- ‘Winners and losers’: impacts of policy
Part B: Cases
- Unemployment and job creation
- Housing
- Health
- Disability and aged: income support and services
- Who should pay for human services
Requisite
If you have successfully completed SPSW1002 you cannot enrol in this course.
Assumed knowledge
HUSE1001
Assessment items
Written Assignment: Short Answer Questions
Online Learning Activity: Online Discussion - Policy analysis
Essay: Major Essay
Contact hours
Semester 2 - 2024 - Callaghan
Lectorial-1
- Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Semester 2 - 2024 - Ourimbah
Lectorial-1
- Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Course outline
Course outline not yet available.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.