SDG Detail

SOCIOL 103 : New Zealand Social Policy and Social Justice

Undergraduate course

Project description

Why do politicians promote certain policies and not others? How do these policy choices reflect their differing values and views on social justice? What policy alternatives emerge from less commonly known values and views? This course helps to answer these questions. The first section of the course introduces key concepts and theoretical perspectives crucial to the study of social policy. This sets the scene for a series of case studies - growing inequality, children: our future and ethnic diversity - focusing on current social policy challenges in New Zealand and elsewhere. The course will conclude with a brief consideration of the current reality and future potential for social policy to facilitate social justice. We hope the course will give you a better idea of not only how policy matters because it affects all of our lives but also of how we can influence policy to achieve social justice.

Year 2022

Location New Zealand

Organization University of Auckland

Project aims

Project outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of of concepts and categories central to contemporary debates in social policy and political sociology; (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.3) Critically evaluate different theoretical or value viewpoints about both policy �problems� and �solutions�, demonstrating understanding that social policy issues are always complex and contested (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 and 3.2) Analyse contemporary social policy issues using critical thinking skills (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 6.1 and 6.3) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding about contemporary social policy issues in New Zealand within a broad theoretical context; (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 6.1 and 6.3) Develop specific research skills appropriate to a policy-focused course. These include: gathering and synthesising concepts and ideas from a wide range of academic and other relevant sources; analysing data (including in tables and graphs) using critical thinking skills; assessing and summarising alternative ways of thinking about policy problems. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1 and 5.2)