Social Policy BA

First year

In your first year you will be introduced to key concepts and debates in Social Policy, as well as the basic principles and practices of social science research. Modules in the first year offer an introduction to many of the overarching themes that shape our Social Policy degree.

Core modules

• Introduction to Social Policy
• Crime and Society
• Social problems and Social Policy: social science in action Part I
• Social problems and Social Policy: social science in action Part 2
• Social Research Part 1
• Social Research Part 2
• Philosophies of Welfare
• Introduction to Social Divisions

Flexibility and choice are at the heart of your second year. With just two core modules, and a wide variety of optional modules, there are many opportunities to tailor your degree to your developing interests. Your second year will also consolidate and build upon the knowledge base and skills gained in your first year. You will develop your research and analytical skills to assist you in conducting your own small-scale investigation in your final year of study, as well as the ability to effectively appraise and utilise existing research throughout your degree programme.

Core module

• Social Research II
• Policy Analysis

You will choose from the optional modules below:

• Comparative Social Policy
• Gender and Sexuality
• ‘Sociology of Race’ and Ethnicity – A Global Perspective
• Contemporary Issues in Housing Policy
• Managing Health and Social Care
• Terror, Threat and Security
• Punishment in a Global Context
• Self and Society
• Media and Society
• Global Societies

By your final year you will be prepared to conduct your own research project providing you with the opportunity to conduct in-depth, independent, study (supported by your supervisor) on a topic of your choice.

Core module

• Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Dissertation
  

You will also from the optional modules below

• Prospects for Social Policy in the UK
• From Beveridge to May: The Political History of the Welfare State From the Second World War to the Present Day
• Quantitative Data Analysis I
• Quantitative Data Analysis II
• New migration and Super-Diversity
• Your Money and Your Life: From Welfare State to Personal Finance
• Harmful Societies: Crime, Social Harm and Social Justice
• Sociology of Personal Life
• Divided Publics?
• Crime and the City
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Political Sociology
• Technology and Society
  
• ‘Freedom’, Control and Critique
• Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2020. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.