HWS4009-B Social Policy, Society and Welfare Module Handbook Semester 2 2025 | UOB

HWS4009-B 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 organisation of work and topics

The module reading list is a great place to start your reading on the topic. You can access it here. You can also nd your reading list on your canvas site or on our Reading List database, Talis Aspire.

The outline syllabus gives you an indication of which topics you will study. This information may be subject to change, so please keep a record of any module announcements regarding changes from your Module Tutor, from Canvas, or by electronic communication.

What is social policy? how is it applied?; perspectives and ideologies: variations and themes; contemporary social policy in the UK: demands and constraints including nance and demography; dimensions of social life: impact and application on individuals and groups in key social policy areas (for example education and opportunity; labour, poverty and social exclusion; health and social care; crime and violence).

Please refer to the Weekly Plan on CANVAS for objectives and topics discussed weekly. This maybe subject to change so please make sure you check CANVAS regularly.

Learning and teaching on this module

The module will be delivered using a blended approach of online and on-campus activities. Teaching will include key lectures, seminars, directed study, and tutorials. Some activities will be delivered face-to- face on campus, some will be delivered as a live ('synchronous') session online and some as an 'asynchronous' session online - meaning you can access the online activities and resources at your own convenience. Lectures, seminars, group work & individual tutorials will provide students with the opportunity to acquire the information in order to enhance their knowledge of Social Policy, Society and Welfare (LOs 1-4). Use will be made of the VLE to complement learning in the classroom and will provide access to relevant websites and audio les. (LOs 1-5). Independent study will enable students to develop and enhance their knowledge and analytical skills by undertaking reading of key texts to support preparation for assessment and to access on line materials and tutorials provided by Academic Skills (LOs 1-5).

The eight questions will be allocated to two sections: one that demonstrates contextual and theoretical knowledge and one to Social Policy topics studied within the module (for example, poverty, education, health).

Scheduled module learning (hours)

This module carries hours of study, usually distributed as follows. These may be subject to change in exceptional circumstances due to internal resources or external demands. You will be noti ed of any changes.
Directed Study - 158 Seminars - 12
Lectures - 20 Independent Study - 8
Online Tutorials (Synchronous) - 2

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.
   

Developing good academic practice

Referencing Style

We expect you to act with integrity throughout your studies and in your assessments. This means presenting your own work, written in your own words, and clearly indicating through referencing where you have read and used the work and ideas of others.

The academic referencing and citation style for this module is Harvard referencing style.

If you need help with understanding referencing and using the style, you can look at the University's Guide. This guide also contains information about online tools that help you write your references. For more in depth support, you can contact your subject librarian or make an appointment, or you can book onto a workshop.

Study Skills Support

Most students nd that they need some assistance, guidance or reassurance at some point during their studies. For help and support with your module, visit the 'Module Contacts' section of your Canvas course or speak to your Personal Academic Tutor. Your well-being is important for e ective study, so do not be afraid to contact the Student Life and Wellbeing Services if you need help. There are a range of Student Services at the University who can also support you with your studies, including the Academic Skills Advice Service who provide a range of self-access skills resources, workshops and 1:1 appointments and the Language Centre who can help with English for academic purposes.

You can also contact your subject librarian for help with nding information and using Library resources. For more information about the wide range of support available during your studies, visit the ‘Supporting your Learning at Bradford’ page on Canvas.

Academic Misconduct

As a student, you are expected to complete all work independently and honestly, using an appropriate academic style. Failure to do so may result in penalties for academic misconduct.

All students are expected to complete the University's Academic Integrity Induction module in Canvas during their rst term of study. If you haven't done this already, you can nd it on your Canvas dashboard under 'Essential E-Learning'.

To nd out more about academic integrity and the University's regulations regarding academic misconduct, visit the Student Casework site.

Extenuating circumstances and extension

During your studies, you might face circumstances which impact or extenuate your ability to attend learning sessions, complete assessments or academically perform at your expected level. This might include, for example, serious illness like Covid-19, or personal issues such as bereavement.

It is important that you tell someone at the University as soon as you can about any such issues so you can get the advice and support you need. As soon as an issue arises, let your Module Tutor and your Personal Academic Tutor know. They will then determine how best to support you.

Support before an assessment deadline might include:

• Having additional support sessions to help you with your assignment.
• Involving other services with your permission such as study skills support or counselling.
• O ering you the opportunity to request an extension to the assignment deadline by completing an Extension Form (available from the Extenuating Circumstances information site).
• Recommending that you submit an Extenuating Circumstances Form, if you are going to be unable to complete
  particular assessment even with an extension or additional support: https://evision.brad.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/SIW_LGN
• Include evidence of your circumstances, such as a doctor's note, and submit the form well in advance of the date of the assessment you are unable to attend or complete. This will then be reviewed by a Faculty panel and you will receive email updates about the status of your request and whether it has been accepted.
• If it is impossible to let anyone know about your circumstances before the assessment date or assignment deadline, let your Module Tutor and Personal Academic Tutor know as soon as you can afterwards. In this scenario, you should also complete an Extenuating Circumstances form online via your e:Vision account. You should submit this online form no later than 7 days after your assessment was due to take place.

More information about extenuating circumstances and extensions

Visit the dedicated University intranet site to nd information about what to do when things go wrong and the processes for requesting extensions and submitting Extenuating Circumstances: University of Bradford

How this module is reviewed

Your feedback

You can provide feedback on your modules in a number of diverse ways. Some common forms of feedback at Bradford are:

Talking to your Module Tutor

Completing module evaluation surveys

Talking to the Student Representative for your programme – or becoming one yourself  Asking your Rep or Tutor to consider something at a Student-Sta  Liaison Committee

Participating in sta /student forums

Completing University and national student experience surveys

The external examiner

The external examiner is an expert in the discipline or subject area who volunteers to peer review the academic standards and quality of this module and are usually a lecturer or professor involved in teaching at another University. They advocate on your behalf ensure that this module is taught and assessed in ways that are fair and robust compared to the UK higher education sector.

The external examiner(s) for this module:

Dr Philip Anyanwu - Cardi University

Continuous, annual and periodic review

Student feedback, external expertise and internal University reviewers all regularly contribute to the ongoing development and enhancement of University of Bradford modules and programmes.

All feedback is important to us and we seek to implement any changes that will bene t the programme at the earliest possible opportunity, whether that is within a teaching period, during annual review or at the next full re-certi cation of the programme.