HWS4009-B Social Policy, Society and Welfare Module Handbook University of Bradford

Module aims and outcomes

The module aims to introduce students to the study of social policy and its ever changing nature in contemporary UK society. Competing policies and ideas will be explored and students will be encouraged to address the importance and impact of these on a number of dimensions of social life.

Module learning outcomes (LOs)

01. Understand what is meant by social policy.
02. Identify and describe the origins and features of the welfare state past and present.
03. Identify and discuss the importance and impact of changing ideologies on social policy.
04. Describe developments in key social policy areas and recognise their impact on individuals and groups in society.
05. Identify, gather and present appropriate academic material.

Module Assessments 

Summative: Coursework - Written (weighting 100%) 
Coursework comprising of eight short questions. 8 x 300 words each. 

Assessment Briefing Information

The assessment for this module is a Short Answer Essay - Written (weighting 100%). The Short Answer Essay will comprise eight short questions and you will have around 300 words to answer each question. The total number of words for your answers should not exceed 3,000 words. References should be included in your answers. 

The eight questions are: 

1. What are the policy challenges in meeting welfare ‘needs’ and ‘wants’? How has this changed from 1997 to the present? 
   
2. What has been the impact of ‘conditionality’ and ‘austerity’ on welfare recipients since their introduction? 
   
3.  With reference to either class ‘race’ or gender, discuss the levels of educational achievement in the UK education system today. 
   
4.  What do you understand by absolute and relative poverty? What is the extent of poverty in the UK today, and why? 
   
5. What is the difference between the social and medical models of disability? 6. How has recent government health policy sought to respond to current health and social care challenges?
6.  Outline and evaluate TWO recent policy measures to end domestic abuse in the UK 8. Outline key policy changes in education since the introduction of free education for all in the 1940s.