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Social Policy: Special Topics A (SOCI90020)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
Dr Chabel Khan
Overview
Availability | July |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Special Topic: Rethinking Social Welfare
This subject surveys theories of what it means to be ‘at the margins’ and their uses in critically understanding contemporary social welfare regimes. The subject’s focus includes examining how the Australian social security system has shifted from the principles of ‘fair and reasonable’ economic support to increasingly conditional and punitive practices of ‘protecting’ communities. The subject locates this shift as part of broader socio-political processes of both representation and repression: from the role of the media in perpetuating stigma and dehumanisation to the settler-colonial logics that can operate within social support programs. As part of understanding forms of marginality and their interplays with the concrete practices of social welfare, students are invited to interrogate the intersections of age, class, dis/ability, gender, sexuality, and race. In addition to its critical momentums, students will speculate on the (im)possibilities of improving social welfare for marginalised communities through proposals like a universal basic income.
Intended learning outcomes
On the successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- a broad understanding of key social welfare areas;
- the ability to apply theoretical perspectives and concepts to concrete social policy problems;
- a demonstrated ability to form judgments and arguments from conflicting evidence and through analysis of both academic and professional materials;
- a demonstrated ability to think with and apply an intersectional lens to understanding social outcomes; and
- competence in critical, creative, and theoretical thinking through written assignments and seminar discussions.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- Oral communication and written communication;
- Collaborative learning;
- Problem solving;
- Team work;
- Interpretation and analysis of policy issues and materials.
Last updated: 5 December 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Public Policy or Sociology at Undergraduate level
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: 5 December 2023
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A Report
| Mid of the teaching period | 30% |
Research Essay
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 70% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 5 December 2023
Dates & times
- July
Coordinator Chabel Din Khan Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 Contact Hours: 2 x 2-hour seminar per week in Weeks 1-6 of Semester 2. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2023 to 2 September 2023 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2023 Census date 11 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 8 September 2023 Assessment period ends 30 September 2023 July contact information
Dr Chabel Khan
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 5 December 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Policy and Management Course Master of Social Policy Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management - 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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 5 December 2023