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Social Policy: Special Topics A (SOCI90020)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2024
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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
- 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: 8 November 2024