MODULE SPECIFICATION COVER SHEET
1.
Title of the module
Social Policy and Everyday Lives (SO749)
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the module
SSPSSR
3.
The level of the module (e.g. Level 4, Level 5, Level 6 or Level 7) 5
5
4.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
15 (7.5 ECTS)
5.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Spring
6.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
SA311 Social Problems and Social Policy or SO326 Introduction to Contemporary Britain
7.
The programmes of study to which the module contributes
Required module for BSc Social Sciences Sociology and Social Policy pathway; optional module on
BA Criminal Justice and Criminology, BSc Social Sciences general, Sociology & Criminology,
Criminology & Psychology, Sociology & Psychology pathways.
8.
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to
8.1 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of contemporary social policy debates and
practices including in areas of health and social care, family and education policy, housing, work and
benefits
8.2 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key political and theoretical debates within
the study of these policy areas, including questions of inequality and difference, care and control,
identity and power, and the ability to apply this knowledge and understanding to other social policy
areas
8.3 Demonstrate knowledge of conceptual approaches to researching social policy in practice in
diverse settings, including an understanding of how these relate to empirical methods
8.4 Critically evaluate the impact of globalisation and international perspectives on social policy
8.5 Demonstrate the ability to analyse empirical case study material from research projects and
contemporary social policy arenas, including primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative
sources, and to relate this analysis to evaluating policy
9.
The intended generic learning outcomes
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
9.1 Understand different kinds of empirical data used in research on social policy in practice
9.2 Demonstrate effective communication skills, as evidenced through participation in group work,
seminar discussions and essay writing
9.3 Critically evaluate different academic perspectives on social policy in practice
9.4 Demonstrate effective skills in finding and using library and internet resources
9.5 Demonstrate effective skills in synthesizing theories and arguments in a coherent manner.
MODULE SPECIFICATION
10. A synopsis of the curriculum
This module, Social Policy and Everyday Lives, approaches the study of social policy and welfare
from the perspective of the everyday contexts in which it is implemented and experienced, and as
such complements a focus on the development of national or state level policy making and
frameworks in Welfare Histories, Welfare Futures. Via this focus it will explore key substantive
issues in contemporary social policy areas including health and social care, family, childhood and
education, work and housing, as well as responding to contemporary and live debates. Key
conceptual concerns include inequality and difference, the nature of care and the changing
identities of welfare subjects and professionals. These concerns are set within the context of shifting
welfare settlements and entitlements at national and international level. The policy issues are
organised around everyday scales and spaces of policy intervention, including the body, home and
family, neighbourhood, community and institution. This approach will enable students to engage
with how welfare and social policy is ordered, experienced and contested within everyday contexts,
as well as unevenly distributed at a local and regional level. Case studies relevant to each lecture
will enable students to explore lived experiences of welfare in diverse settings as well as develop
analytical skills in responding to empirical research data. The module has a focus both on UK and
European welfare contexts, and on how these local experiences of welfare are shaped by global
change and dynamics, for example around migration, health and care.
.
11. Reading List (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published
annually)

Baldock, J., Mitton, L., Manning, N., & Vickerstaff, S. (2012), eds, Social policy. Oxford University
Press: Oxford.

Bochel, H. & Daly, G. (2014), eds, Social policy. Routledge: London.

Coffey, A. (2004). Reconceptualising social policy. Sociological perspectives on contemporary
social policy. Open University Press: Maidenhead.

Milligan, C., & Conradson, D. (2006), Landscapes of voluntarism: New spaces of health, welfare
and governance. Policy Press: Bristol.

Valentine, G. (2014), Social geographies: space and society. Routledge: London.
12. Learning and Teaching methods
This module will be taught through lectures and seminars. The lectures will develop substantive
policy and conceptual knowledge, with the seminars being used to embed and deepen learning
through small group work looking at case study materials as well as discussion of relevant social
policy research.
13. Assessment methods.
This module is assessed through 100% coursework, of which 30% consists of a reflective analysis
and 70% of an essay. Reflective written analysis of an everyday social policy setting (eg doctor’s
surgery, school, job centre) to assess students’ ability to apply key course themes to welfare in
practice, using perspectives from other research as well as critical observation where appropriate:
1,000 words - 30%
2
Module Specification Template (September 2015)
MODULE SPECIFICATION
An essay on a theme of choice will assess students’ understanding of key debates within
contemporary social policy and the theoretical and conceptual resources required to analyse them:
2,000 words – 70%
14. Map of Module Learning Outcomes (sections 8 & 9) to Learning and Teaching Methods
(section12) and methods of Assessment (section 13)
Module
learning
outcome
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
x
x
x
x
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Learning/
teaching
method
Hours
allocated
Private Study
128
x
x
x
x
Lecture
11
X
X
X
X
Seminar
11
Assessment
method
Weightin
g
Reflective
analysis (1,000
words)
30%
X
X
Essay (2,000
words)
70%
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
x
X
X
X
X
X
15. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality
legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its
teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary,
including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for
students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for
students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the
University’s/Collaborative Partner’s disability/dyslexia student support service, and specialist
support will be provided where needed.
16. Campus(es) or Centre(s) where module will be delivered:
Medway
3
Module Specification Template (September 2015)
MODULE SPECIFICATION
FACULTIES SUPPORT OFFICE USE ONLY
Revision record – all revisions must be recorded in the grid and full details of the change retained in the
appropriate committee records.
Date approved
Major/minor
revision
Start date of the delivery of
revised version
4
Module Specification Template (September 2015)
Section revised
Impacts PLOs( Q6&7 cover
sheet)