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Critical Approaches to Social Policy (POLS90052)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
October
Overview
| Availability | October |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This PhD elective will introduce critical approaches to the construction and analysis of social policy with particular focus on the developing world, but with relevance to the developed world. The dominant, linear approach to policy as a sequence of ‘design, planning, implementation, and evaluation’ will be critiqued for its failure to recognise the socio-cultural contexts, values and ideologies within which policies are embedded. We will explore the worldviews and assumptions of policy makers, the discursive construction of policy ‘subjects’ through policy labels and language, policy technologies of enumerating, categorising and describing populations and the ways in which gender, race, ethnicity and religion contribute to the success or failure of policies. Case studies using ethnographic and interpretive approaches will be used to throw light on the nature of policy-making and programmes in key social issues: for example, the meanings, measurement and experience of poverty; the construction of ‘indigenous’ peoples and of the ‘household’; the role of ‘local knowledge’ in health policies.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- enhanced knowledge of key terms and concepts used in the analysis of policy in the developing world;
- an ability to analyse assumptions, norms, ideologies and values that frame policies within particular historical and cultural contexts;
- advanced capacity to critically assess policies in the developing world;
- enhanced engagement with leading-edge research in policy research; and
- an ability to reflect upon their own research work in relation to the content of the module.
Generic skills
This subject will contribute, through teaching and discussion with academic staff and peers, to developing skills and capacities including those identified in the University-defined Graduate Attributes for the PhD, in particular:
- the capacity to contextualise research within an international corpus of specialist knowledge;
- an advanced ability to engage in critical reflection, synthesis and evaluation of research-based and scholarly literature; and
- an advanced understanding of key disciplinary and multi-disciplinary norms and perspectives relevant to the field.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- One 2,500-word essay (100%), due two weeks after the end of teaching.
- Hurdle: Students are required to attend a minimum of 100% of classes in order to pass this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- October
Principal coordinator Bina Fernandez Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 12 hours: 2 x 3 hour seminars, taught weekly over two weeks. Total time commitment 85 hours Teaching period 23 October 2017 to 3 November 2017 Last self-enrol date 25 October 2017 Census date 3 November 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 November 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 October contact information
Time commitment details
85 Hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Arts - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022