Principles of Social Policy

This course explores social policy in Australia and beyond, with a focus on the historical and contemporary constructions of social citizenship and the ways these constructions impact upon and shape social policy. Current public issues are explored within a social policy framework drawing attention to the ways different approaches of the social sciences provide insight into these issues and the ways they are constructed in policy. Current debates in the broad areas of power relations, political and social rights and the future of welfare policy in an era of (contested) globalization and economic uncertainty are examined. The course has an applied focus through which students study policy and develop policy analysis skills.