Academic Year/course:
2022/23
274 - Degree in Social Work
26104 - Introduction to Social Policy
Syllabus Information
Academic Year:
2022/23
Subject:
26104 - Introduction to Social Policy
Faculty / School:
108 - Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y del Trabajo
Degree:
274 - Degree in Social Work
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
1
Semester:
First semester
Subject Type:
Basic Education
Module:
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1.1. Aims of the course
This course, within the institutional context in which the social worker will intervene, is oriented towards an understanding of the social-political protection system as a whole. According to the same objectives, contents and learning outcomes set out in the corresponding sections, these approaches and objectives are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030 (), in such a way that the acquisition of the learning outcomes of https://www.un. org/sustainabledevelopment/en/learning outcomes of the subject provides training and competence to contribute to some extent to their achievement, in particular: Goal 1 - End poverty; Goal 5 - Gender equality; Goal 8 - Decent work and economic growth; Goal 10 - Reducing inequalities; and Goal 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions
1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree
This course is a first contact that cements the basic notions of "Social Policy" considering its historical evolution, together with the keys in which today public and social policies are carried out within a systemic relationship between the different agents that interact in the Welfare systems. The social worker is an agent of social integration either in his intervention with families, groups or communities. For this he/she needs a transversal and holistic knowledge of the social political system from which resources are obtained and rules are set. This integrative vision will also serve him/her in time to become interested in researching or preventing new needs, planning, evaluating and contributing to the design of social policies.
1.3. Recommendations to take this course
As its name suggests, this subject has an introductory character. The aim is to lay the conceptual foundations, from an integral vision of social policies, welfare systems and social services, in such a way that in subsequent courses it is possible to continue understanding and expanding knowledge, within the framework of the required competences, specific to the Module. It is necessary to work weekly on the teaching materials that will be proposed in the classroom sessions. Personal effort is a necessary condition. Reading, writing and discussing the contents of the subject is the key to successfully complete this course.
2.1. Competences
- Analyse the differences between the typologies -developed to date- of welfare state models, their basic values and their results in terms of social policy.
- Assess the consequences and implications that different orientations in social policy have for Social Work, as well as the contributions of Social Work to the design, development and evaluation of social policies.
- Analyse the nature of the mechanisms that drive social policies and the consequences of each of them in terms of results and effects on inequality.
- Distinguish and recognise the articulation of market, family, civil society and State in welfare regimes and their implications for the design and results of policies.
- Identify the main current trends in social policy.
2.2. Learning goals
- Is able to explain the basis on which the state has come to assume responsibility for social policies in its functions
- Understands in a systemic way the articulation of the state, the market and civil society, as well as the role of each of these agents in the provision of welfare.
- Knows what the welfare and social protection systems are and what they consist of, understanding the fundamental differences between neo-liberalism and social democracy.
- It analyses and contextualises some of the differences in form and substance through which social work has evolved from its origins to the possibilities offered at the present time. At the same time, it recognises that respect for human dignity and providing the means for social integration have been consistent values since the beginnings of the profession.
- Express, explain and argue with sense in academic work, knowing some of the main authors and reference manuals, learning to locate internet resources in a university way.
2.3. Importance of learning goals
Acquires basic and fundamental knowledge. Learn to analyse and comprehensively understand social policies within the social system, distinguishing the positions and consequences of the state, the market and civil society, as well as the different trends or aspects in which they may manifest themselves, and begin to consider how they should position themselves as future social workers in relation to the institutions from which the resources come and towards the potential users with whom they will carry out their interventions.
3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)
3.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)
There are two modalities: (i). Continuous assessment; (ii). Global assessment.
Those who opt for continuous assessment will have to attend classes regularly and take several written tests of a theoretical-practical nature throughout the course, in accordance with the syllabus of the subject, together with a final exercise. The final topic/development exam will serve to contrast the assimilation of concepts, the ability to relate and synthesise, as well as the clarity and coherence of the arguments. Students will also prepare and present the exercises or assignments required in class to test their ability to search for information and analyse and interpret the different texts and readings in relation to the corresponding theoretical part of the course.
The final grade will be based on the following percentages:
- Mastery of the theoretical part 50%
- Dynamic Activities 30%
- Tutored activity T6 20%
That is, based on the theory sessions and the proposed readings, both essays and text commentaries must be handed in and discussed on the weekly established dates. In the last two weeks of class, depending on the calendar of sessions, each student will hand in the tutored work that has been carried out and designed in the T6 sessions, which will count for up to 20 points.
In the last week, a written test will be taken on the contents seen in the course as a whole and discussed in class, showing that they know how to write coherently and that they have acquired a global knowledge of the subject matter worked on. This test will take place in the classroom and will count up to 50 points.
Those who opt for a global assessment will have to take the corresponding tests on the date set in the official examination notice. They must show that they have attained the competences and knowledge required for the subject area: (i).oral exercise on the contents of the subject. (ii).presentation of a work equivalent to the tutored T6 together with its oral defence.For the adequate preparation of these tests, attendance to tutorials and supervision by the teaching staff responsible for teaching is recommended.
4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources
4.1. Methodological overview
The learning process that has been designed for this subject is based on the following:
- Lectures (T1): Lectures by the teacher, aimed at showing the theoretical content, analytical resources and their practical application. The classes will facilitate the posing of questions, reflection and discussion of different approaches.
- Dynamic classes in small groups (T2): Texts will be read, both articles and complete books or previously selected fragments for their analysis and subsequent commentary.
- Tutorial activities (T6): Tutorials oriented to the elaboration of a research work, compilation and reflection on basic concepts on topics related to the subject of social policy will be carried out.
4.2. Learning tasks
The activities will be built up dynamically and according to the development of the learning process. They will basically consist of:
- - Searching for information on specific subjects of study
- - Analysis and critique of previously selected readings
- - Screening of multimedia materials related to the subject of study and critique of their contents.
4.3. Syllabus
The subject is organised under three main parts:
- Part I: Foundations and components of social policy.
- Part II: History of the welfare state: the process of reform and social change.
- Part III: Origins, development and crisis of the welfare state.
Initially it is expected to follow the following content development, although it may undergo some modifications depending on the progress of the course:
INTRODUCTION
Contextualisation of the subject in the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work: Social Policy and Social WorkFundamentals of the subject within the module and discovery of the components of social policy. Social Policy and Social Work (First guidelines to carry out the different tasks).
Part I: Foundations and components of social policy.
UNIT 1 Starting with the foundations and concepts of Social Policy: What is Social Policy? Other key issues: state, market, citizenship, ideologies, social justice...
Part II: History of the welfare state: the process of reform and social change
UNIT 2 The cultural matrix of Modernity and the composition of the modern state. The Industrial Revolution and its effects: British liberalism, German idealism and French republican dogmatism. The need for social reform: who and how to start it. The shift to state interventionism. Ideological positions and their relation to the origins of welfare states.
Part III: Origins, Development and Crisis of the Welfare State
UNIT 3 The birth of the Welfare State: the Bismarckian keysThe crash of 1929 and the recognition of the regulatory function of the state. The different models of state typologies, depending on the development of welfare systems.
UNIT 4 First crisis of the Welfare State and alternative ways: neoliberalism and social democracy under debate: from the welfare state to the welfare society: the so-called Welfare Mix and social policies.
UNIT 5 Social Policy and the Welfare State in Spain. The origins of the Welfare State in Spain: the tracing of insurance and social services: from social assistance to the welfare state.a brief note on the new social needs and policies seen from the horizons of the European Union. Fundamentals, underlying values and trends in social policies.
4.4. Course planning and calendar
Week 1
INTRODUCTION
Context of the subject in the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work: Social Policy and Social WorkFundamentals of the subject within the module and discovery of the components of social policy.Social Policy and social work.(Dynamic group: First guidelines to carry out the different tasks).
Weeks 2-5
Part I: Fundamentals and components of social policy.
UNIT 1 Introduction to the fundamentals and concepts of social policy: What is social policy? Other key issues: State, market, citizenship, ideologies, social justice...
Weeks 6-7
Part II:History of the welfare state: the process of social reform and change
UNIT 2 Historical background to social policyThe cultural matrix of Modernity and the composition of the modern state. The Industrial Revolution and its effects: British liberalism, German idealism and French republican dogmatism. The need for social reform: who and how to start it. The shift to state interventionism. Ideological positions and their relationship with the origins of the Welfare States.
Part III: Origins, development and crisis of the welfare state.
Weeks 8- 10
UNIT 3 The birth of the Welfare State: the Bismarckian keys. The crash of 1929 and the recognition of the regulatory function of the state. The different models of state typologies, depending on the development of welfare systems.
Weeks 11-12
The first crisis of the welfare state and alternative paths: neoliberalism and social democracy under debate; from the welfare state to the welfare society: the so-called Welfare Mix and social policies.
Weeks 13-14
Social Policy and the Welfare State in Spain. The origins of the Welfare State in Spain: the outline of insurance and social services: from social assistance to the welfare state, a brief note on the new social needs and policies seen from the horizons of the European Union, the foundations, basic values and trends in social policies, the social security system and the welfare state.
Week 15
Completion of the final written test.
Week 16.
GLOBAL TEST
The orientation and dynamics to be followed in the course will be presented, starting with the fundamentals and starting questions, as well as the presentation of the activities and key dates. These will be adjusted within each group and will be adapted at the appropriate time according to the dynamics of the course development.
In the last week, the final written test will take place and the assignments established for the evaluation will be handed in.
Those who have opted for the single, non-attendance assessment, will take the final written test, on which there will be an oral interview and delivery of the remaining work to be assessed, also responding orally to the questions deemed necessary.