Social Policy – (B.A.)

Our course addresses some of the big questions and social issues currently being debated by the media, the public and the Government. For example, it examines reasons behind, and responses to, social problems such as poverty and social exclusion, antisocial behaviour, racism and homelessness. It is an area of study of great contemporary relevance.

Within this context, the main aims of our course are:

* to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of how social policy is formulated and implemented
* to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to gain employment in a broad range of public and voluntary sector jobs.

Formal lectures and seminars will provide you with the theory necessary to develop a real understanding of current social issues. Workshops will give you the opportunity to get to grips with the theory in an exciting and challenging environment, and to develop your practical skills.

The opportunity to take part in an internship (work experience placement) will allow you to put these skills to test in a 'real world' situation.

When you graduate you will be able to:

* research and analyse a range of social policies and problems
* explore and evaluate how social policies respond to social problems
* participate effectively in the process of both policymaking and policy implementation.

Our degree will give you the opportunity to get right to the heart of some of the most hotly debated issues of our time, giving you the skills and confidence to approach policy issues in a rational, analytical way. Crucially, it will also provide you with the kind of knowledge and skills much valued by employers in this sector.

Additional course information
Level One: you will study modules which focus on different ways that social problems are defined and responded to both in policy and practice. Key concepts such as well-being and inclusion are also examined.

Level Two: you will examine key social policy areas such as health and social care, family policies, crime and community safety and citizenship.

Level Three: provides an opportunity to explore in more depth concepts such as social exclusion, youth, community, how social divisions affect health, and to probe the boundaries of social policy. A dissertation is also undertaken which allows you to negotiate and investigate a topic of particular interest to you.