Social scientists are concerned not just with identifying and describing social issues, but with engaging in research and policy action which seek to improve the conditions under which we live.  Participation in the process of social policy development provides the mechanism through which change can occur. But such change is hardly straight forward or rational. While countless people make daily demands on the public purse for social change, some interests are progressed over others.  How can this be so? This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to effectively analyse and participate in the policy process.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Define major conceptual frameworks for social policy.
2. Identify the interest groups and processes involved in the development of social policy.
3. Identify and critique policy and governance frameworks relevant to critical arenas of social policy
4. Interpret the role and limitations of public policy in social change.
   

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Verbal
• Written

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.

Consultation times are by appointment - contact the lecturer to arrange a consultation.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to the Course
2	The Role of Government and the Welfare State
3	Policy Development: Models and Applications
4	Interest Groups and Public Policy
5	Gender and Social Policy
6	Presentations
7	Values in Public Policy
8	Institutions and Social Policy
9	Indigenous Policy
10	Children’s Policy
11	HECS
12	Course Review

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Participation in class debate	20 %	15/03/2019	29/03/2019	1, 3, 4
5-minute class presentation and written report (1,500w)	25 %	01/01/2099	01/01/2099	2, 3
Essay (3,000w)	45 %	21/05/2019	04/07/2019	1, 3, 4
Tutorial participation	10 %	01/01/2099	01/06/2019	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in the tutorials is a critical part of SOCY 2101. As such, attendance is encouraged. Students are expected to attend lectures and participate during the in class discussions. In tutorial, students are expected to have done the readings and be active participants in the discussions guided by the Tutor. Mere attendance in the tutorials is not sufficient participation. 

Assessment Task 1

Participation in class debate

The class debates will take place in the tutorial groups. In the first tutorial you will be randomly allocated in one of the two debate groups either affirmative or negative for one of the following topics:

1. Incrementalism a superior way of making public policy to the rational-comprehensive approach
2. The Welfare State should be expanded

The debate will be recorded.

Time Limit: Each group with have 10 minutes in total

Assessment Task 2

5-minute class presentation and written report (1,500w)

You are required to prepare a 5 minute class presentation and then submit a short written report (1,500w). The presentation is mandatory but is not assessed. The purpose of the presentation is to give students the opportunity to present their ideas and receive feedback in advance of submitting their written report. The task is:

Describe a significant social policy development in Australia (e.g. introduction of aged pension, worker’s compensation, universal healthcare etc.), then identify the interest groups involved and how they shaped these developments.

Due dates for assessment items are:

2019-04-03

2019-04-05

2019-04-23

More information will be posted on Wattle

Assessment Task 3

Essay (3,000w)

You are required to write a research essay. You will be expected to engage with academic debate on the issue. In addition, you will be required to support your answer with an example or examples. The question is:

What are the role of values in social policy-making?

Assessment Task 4

Tutorial participation

Participation in the tutorials is a critical part of SOCY2101. As such, attendance is encouraged. Students are expected to attend lectures and participate during the in class discussions. In tutorial, students are expected to have done the readings and be active participants in the discussions guided by the Tutor. Mere attendance in the tutorials is not sufficient participation. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Work will be returned to students via Wattle and email. 

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

There is no resubmission of assignments.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students