BSc (Hons) Social Policy

Part-time study available
International students can apply
Work placement opportunity

You will focus on the factors which influence the development of social policy and the provision of social care. You will explore a variety of issues including poverty, ethnicity, health, gender, community care, family policy and ageing, from the perspectives of policy formulation and implementation.

Structure

Year one

In your first year you will take a series of modules which will offer a general introduction to the study of social policy.

Introduction to Social Policy 1

Students explore the history of British social policy and the forces and pressures which have shaped its development.

Introduction to Social Policy 2

This module builds upon Social Policy 1, taking a more contemporary perspective. For example, it looks at the way ‘fatherhood’ has become an increasingly significant issue in the making of social policy.

Introduction to Sociology

In this module we use sociological concepts and theories to explore the changing nature of British society. You will examine issues such as ‘race’, gender, social class, childhood, the family.

Introduction to Public Health

This module develops an historical and contemporary examination of ‘public health’, exploring issues such as obesity, alcohol abuse and smoking.

Introduction to Research Methods

An introduction to the basic principles of research, including report writing and data presentation.

Study Skills for Higher Education

This module will help you develop or fine tune a range of study skills, including essay writing, time management, presentations, and critical thinking.

Understanding Mental Health

You will examine the causes and impact of some of the more common mental health problems, for example, depression, schizophrenia and anorexia.

Year Two

With a wide range of optional modules you will have the opportunity to tailor your degree to suit your particular interests and career aspirations.

Ideological Approaches to Welfare

This module explores key concepts and ideological and theoretical debates about welfare in Britain.

Citizenship and Social Policy

You will gain an understanding of the concept of citizenship in relation to the UK, EU, and global welfare institutions. Issues examined include disability and citizenship; poverty and citizenship; immigration and asylum.

Further Research Methods

This module builds on the Introduction to Research Methods module. It will, for example, develop your understanding of the use of surveys and observation in social research.

Comparing Welfare Regimes

Here you will compare the development of social policy globally, including personal social services, health, and housing

Choose two from these optional modules:

Sociology of Health and Illness

Issues explored include ‘race’ and mental illness; chronic illness; attention deficit disorder; ageism and health care.

Gender Issues

You will be introduced to the growing literature on gender relations and explore key areas of contemporary debate, including the changing position and status of women and masculinity today.

Disability Studies (Critical Perspectives)

This module ‘unpacks’ the meaning of ‘disability’ assessing its impact on the individual and society. Among the themes examined is the rise of the Disability Rights Movement

Young People and Social Policies

This module examines social policies directed at young people and explores issues such as teenage parents; sexuality; youth crime and the transition to adulthood.

Social Policy and Differentiation

This module explores the development of social policy and the ways in which this development has been influenced by ideas and beliefs about ‘race’, gender, disability and sexuality. There is a particular focus on education policy.

Year Three

In your final year, a distinctive feature of this degree is the option to undertake a traditional undergraduate dissertation or a Community Placement instead.

Choose four modules from:-

Social Exclusion

The term ‘social exclusion’ is a relatively new arrival in terms of social policy. We explore the origins and value of this concept. The experience of a number of excluded groups will be examined, including sexual minorities, travellers and gypsies and people with mental health problems.

Community Care

This module aims to evaluate historical and contemporary issues in the development of community care, including, for example, the privatisation of services.

Health Policy

This module looks at the development of health policy in Britain and the pressures that have shaped that development

Families and Social Policy

Today the family is very much at the centre of the political and social policy agenda. This module explores the connection between families, politics and social policies. You will look at issues such as poverty, child support, domestic violence and divorce.

Gender and Health

You will explore the ways in which gender shapes the experience of health and health care. Issues examined include eating disorders, post-natal depression, male suicide and the menopause.

Dissertation

A supervised research project of 10,000 words.

Community placement

The Placement will offer you an opportunity to gain first-hand experience working in a ‘social policy related’ setting, and to develop key work based skills such as team work, time management and communication skills.