Unit Outline

The unit examines significant social problems in Australia and the work of the welfare state, through social policy, to solve them. This includes looking at discourses, social actors, institutions and historical events, and how these have shaped the way social problems are thought about and acted upon. Through different approaches to policy analysis and concepts such as neoliberalism, managerialism and community, the unit explores the ideas, processes and practices that make up social policy, programs and services. There is a particular focus on the significant social issues of homelessness, income support and disability. The unit is relevant to anyone who wants to understand contemporary social problems and policies, especially those studying sociology, social work, education, law and the criminal justice system.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain how contemporary social problems are constructed in policy making processes.
2.	Analyse the development and implementation of social policies in Australia.
3.	Apply relevant theories and concepts to social problems and social policy.
4.	Communicate understanding of relevant information, ideas, theories and concepts clearly and logically.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to student feedback, some changes were made to the order and pacing of content delivery, and module-based webinars were introduced for off-campus students. The unit description, ILOs and assessment criteria were all reviewed and revised if necessary to ensure the wording was clear.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Research essay	Week 10	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Weekly activities	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Take-home exam	Exam Period	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Research essay

Task Description:

The aim of this task is to put forward a clear, sustained argument on a specified topic. In your essay you will critically explain the construction of social problems and the development of social policy in relation to that topic, using relevant theories, concepts and practical examples.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 10 (03/Oct/2024)

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain how the social problems referred to in the essay topic are socially constructed.	LO1
2	Analyse how social policy has been developed and implemented in relation to the essay topic.	LO2
3	Apply relevant theories and concepts to social problems and social policy.	LO3
4	Present a clear, logical argument in an appropriate academic form.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Weekly activities

Task Description:

The aim of this task is to develop your critical thinking skills. Through your face-to-face workshops or equivalent online activities, you will be discussing how social problems are constructed and how policy making works using a range of real-world examples.

This task will be completed on a weekly basis throughout semester, from Week 2 onwards.

Task Length:

Activity based: equivalent to 12 x 150 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Discuss social problems and social policies in relation to provided examples.	LO1, LO2
2	Communicate understanding of relevant problems, policies, ideas, theories and concepts.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Take-home exam

Task Description:

The aim of this task is to draw on knowledge gained throughout the unit to critically analyse social problems and social policy. The task consists of four questions based on real-world examples.

This task will be scheduled in the University's exams period

Task Length:

4 x 500 word answers

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse social problems and social policy making.	LO1, LO2
2	Apply relevant theory and/or concepts	LO3
3	Present a clear, logical and, concise argument.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.