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SP12003: Social problems, social change and the state

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWPF 60%, CWSI 40%
Assessment Detail:
  • Portfolio 1 (CWPF 30%)
  • Portfolio 2 (CWPF 30%)
  • Letter to an MP (CWSI 40% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this unit students will be able to: 1. Define and explain social problems and social policy. 2. Articulate key concepts in social policy including wellbeing, need, social construction, intersectionality, inequality, and social exclusion. 3. Recount and critique the historical underpinnings of social policy - and to use this knowledge conceptually in relation to current government responses to social problems. 4. Apply knowledge and understanding in ways which are relevant for future employment, especially in the private or public sector.


Synopsis: Explore how social policy responds to social problems encountered by societies across the world. You'll practice how to succinctly report social problems to decision-making audiences.

Content: Explore how social policy responds to social problems encountered by societies across the world. You'll practice how to succinctly report social problems to decision-making audiences.

Course availability:

SP12003 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB33 : BSc(Hons) Social Work and Applied Social Studies (Year 1)

SP12003 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB34 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with professional placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with professional placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with professional placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with professional placement (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.