This module provides an introduction to the social and political context of social work. It seeks to provide students with an understanding of :-

- current debates in social policy
- theoretical perspectives in social policy and models of welfare
- the social construction of social problems and the impact they have of the lives of users of social work service.
- theories, policy perspectives and inequalities relating to
poverty and social exclusion,
community regeneration,
housing and homelessness,
crime and deviance,
families,
drug and substance use,
health (including mental health),
education
- how structural inequality and social differentiation especially in relation to class, ethnicity, age, disability, gender and sexual
orientation influence 'life chances' and individual experience. Biography and history.
- perspectives on the functions of social work in advanced capitalist society, and comparative approaches to social work and social care policy.

Submit a presentation of 20 slides on Powerpoint on a topic to be agreed - weighted at 25% - contributes to meeting learning outcome 2

A 2 hour exam in relation to a social and political context - weighted at 50% - contributes to meeting all learning outcomes

Contribute to an on-line discussion relevant to a topical issue in social policy - weighted at 25% - contributes to meeting learning outcome 4

All three elements of assessment must be passed in order to pass this module

Formative Assessment:
Feedback will be provided on student group presentations

Whole group sessions (22 x 1hrs)
Will be used to explore key themes, concepts, theories, debates and boundaries to the disciplines of sociology and social policy. These sessions will utilise both lectures and workshops. There will be an emphasis upon tutors providing expositions of key features of the topics and debates, but with opportunities for students to raise issues and engage in exercises and discussions especially in workshops.

Small group sessions (22 x 1hrs)
Will be used to provide a more active learning environment for students through interrogation of tutors by students, students by tutors and students by students. Student seminar presentations, debates and problem based learning (including case studies and problem solving exercises).

Some materials will be accessed through Blackboard / VLE

Directed and independent study (256hours)
Guided reading will underpin students' preparation for small group sessions and assessments. This will include library based activities, Internet (especially websites of government and agencies/pressure groups concerned with health and social welfare), materials on Blackboard and contemporary material from the media. Students will also spend time meeting with colleagues in their presentation groups and participating in on-line discussions.

Computing facilities will be needed to access materials on the web and specialist online databases.
Access to appropriate texts and journals.

You will need access to one of the following texts:

Abercrombie, N & Warde, A (2000) Contemporary British Society (3rd edition), Oxford, Polity Press
Giddens, A (2006) Sociology, (6th edition) Oxford, Polity Press
Kirby, M (2000) Sociology in Perspective, Bath, Heinemann
Price, V & Simpson, G (2007) Transforming Society: Social work and sociology, Bristol, The Policy Press.

And one of these:
Alcock, P., Erskine, A. & May, M. (2003) The Student's Companion to Social Policy, (2nd edition), Oxford, Blackwell.
Baldock, J., Manning, N. & Vickerstaff, S. (2007) Social Policy, (3rd edition), Oxford, Oxford University Press.

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