BA (Hons) Politics and Social Policy

Level One

The Level One modules are primarily used to ensure that students have an appropriate introduction to the interdisciplinary nature of social policy and politics. They also perform the function of developing general intellectual and personal attributes such as effective study methods, communication skills and use of information sources. At this level students are able to explore key developments in social policy which currently inform the political debate and which have affected state welfare strategies. At this level students are able to explore key ideas which have underpinned the development of social policy and politics.

Who Runs Britain? Power, Politics and Beyond (Option)

This module introduces students to the key components of the British political system, and the relationship between domestic and international politics through an examination of the distribution of power within the British political system. It will explain the various factors and actors, both domestic and foreign, which serve to shape and define the political process in Britain.

Social Issues and Social Justice

This module uses an examination of contemporary social issues to introduce students to some of the key arguments and debates, which affect the way people are treated in society. Students will be introduced to how and why a social issue may become defined as a social problem, the form it takes within the social and political debate and be encouraged to make a critical analysis of the action which is, and is not, taken. An introduction of the key social policy concepts will be incorporated into this analysis of real issues. The module also considers the concept of social justice, the extent to which social divisions and inequalities in society persist and the role governments play in promoting the former and combating the latter.

Identity and Citizenship

This module explicitly adopts an interdisciplinary approach to core questions of relevance to today’s society. Taking the notion of identity as its leitmotif, the module introduces students to those ways in which academic knowledge has traditionally been divided along disciplinary lines. The module will guide students bring knowledge forms from within their own – and other – disciplines to bear on key contemporary social and political issues. As such, the module will expose students to the potentials and pitfalls of adopting an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and policy development in areas concerning (for example) citizenship, social belonging and isolation, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion or nationalism. Throughout, students will be encouraged to think critically about the nature of their own identities and the impact of their future professional practice on the nature and practice of identities

Applying Research

This module aims to enable students to both recognise and understand the different methodologies employed in social research and to apply these to their own research project and critique of methods. Overall, the aim of this module is to introduce students to the range of methodological skills and approaches, to involve students in their application, and to encourage critical reflection on a variety of levels.

After completing this module students should be able to:

• Explain what research is and why we do it
• Explain how research may be carried out: quantitatively
• Explain how research may be carried out: qualitatively.

Level Two

At Level Two the modules build upon the material and methods used in Level One, providing students with the opportunity for an increased emphasis on analysis and criticism. Students explore the foundations of modern social policy in the UK and the way they have developed; different welfare ideologies; diversity and difference; social exclusion and integration. Students also explore a variety of political ideas and philosophies as well a practical issues, such as those associated with elections and voting. There remains a significant comparative dimension to the study of politics and social policy, enabling students to develop their interests against an understanding of international developments and influences.

Political Parties, Elections and Voting

This module will cover a variety of issues relating to political parties in the United Kingdom. The political science literature covers a wide variety of topics around parties. Amongst those which are examined in this module are the following; the historical development of parties; the role of parties in terms of mobilisation of support, electioneering and campaigning, recruitment of personnel; representation of the electorate and issue-based politics; and the partisan divide. These will be examined primarily within the context of a discussion of the three major parties within the British political system including their development, their ideological tenets and their contemporary positions. However, towards the end of the module these will be set against the position of other parties within the UK including the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and the Northern Irish parties, to which will be added a comparative perspective, drawing upon the roles and experiences of parties in Western Europe.

Challenges and Change in Social Policy I and II

Social policy has developed from the study of the traditional areas of welfare – such as health, education and social security – to broader concerns including the environment, transport and food policy. The terms of the debate have also shifted to reflect changes in demographic and social structures, the changing labour market, concern with the costs of welfare and the impact of the globalization. This module considers the main influences on social policy development in the UK and examines these within the context of alternative models in other countries. It considers the ideological and theoretical debates within which they have been framed and the ways these have impacted on the contemporary debate and policy.

Ideology into Practice

This module is concerned with the impact of ideology on the development of social policy. While the focus is on the United Kingdom, comparison with other European states is made where appropriate. The module considers different perspectives on what constitutes 'social problems' and exploration of the meaning and purposes of 'social policy' and 'welfare' and their relationship with ideology. It then considers the impact of ideologies on social policy in the post-world war period, and especially from the mid-1970s when the consensus on social policy began to break down.

Law, Order and Politics

At the heart of debate on law and order is the balance between a need for states to maintain civic order and to protect the rights of the individual. One of the defining characteristics of the state is the right to use violence. Although a necessary power, it is one fraught with danger, evoking fears of a 'police state' or a military dictatorship, and the world is full of examples of how real this threat is. The Law, Order and Politics module seeks to use a multi-disciplinary approach to the subject area that crosses all boundaries. To this end we investigate concepts and practices in Britain and then go on to examine the processes of globalization with crime and the growing significance of different historical and cultural experiences of law, order and social control. We begin with an overview of the philosophical framework underpinning law and order in Britain from the post-war period up to 1979. We consider relations between politicians and the judiciary in recent years from the perspective of democracy and governance in contemporary Britain. We examine the extent to which political ideology affects the way that both main parties in Britain have viewed crime. We argue that all governments need to grapple with the boundaries between civic order and individual liberty. A key component of this module, therefore, is to make comparisons between law, order and politics in both democratic and non-democratic states. We reflect, for example, on Chinese conceptions of public order and community justice, the influence of Sharia Law in Britain and the Middle East, and characteristics of organized crime and international networks in Europe, North America and Asia.

Thinking Politics

Thinking Politics examines the historical background to the various strands of political thought and ideas. In doing this, it builds upon some of the major ideas and concepts introduced at level one, by illustrating linkages between political theories and other aspects of politics. In particular, reference is made to key thinkers who have left their intellectual imprint on political ideas and beliefs. Specific reference is made to the work of Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Bentham, Mill, and Marx in order to assess the contribution that each has made to political theory and the extent to which they had a more or less lasting impact upon the practice and analysis of politics. This module provides the theoretical underpinnings needed to facilitate a thorough understanding of political ideas and belief. This module involves an examination of what constitutes ideology and a detailed investigation of the dominant ideologies from the French Revolution right up to and including the collapse of communism.

Researching in Social Policy

This module systematically scrutinizes examples of research undertaken in the subject area of social policy. One of the main aims of the module is to enable students to understand, in concrete terms, what constitutes research and how the research process leads to the production of specific research outputs including dissertations, theses, published academic articles and research monographs. In addition, the module aims to provide students with the knowledge base necessary for the production of research proposals and outputs. Research in social policy typically involves an understanding of both gathering information in various ways and critically scrutinizing the validity of that information. This module provides students with the skills to undertake both tasks.

Or

Research in Politics and International Relations

Building on the Level One module, 'Applying Research', this module systematically scrutinises examples of research undertaken in the subject areas of Politics and International Relations. One of the main aims of the module is to enable students to understand, in concrete terms, what constitutes research in Politics and IR and how the research process leads to the production of specific research outputs including dissertations, theses, published academic articles and research monographs. In addition, the module aims to provide students with the knowledge base necessary for the production of research proposals and outputs.

Level Three

Finally, at Level Three, the modules allow students to further develop their critical understanding and analysis through taught units and through the preparation of an Independent Study of their own choosing. The modules are designed to progress in a general intellectual sense as well as shifting to a more critical approach so that compared with the Level Two modules the emphasis is more upon analysis and problem solving. Again a broad approach to the study of social policy and politics is maintained so that students examine not only key areas of British politics and social policy but also have the opportunity to retain an international component in their work.

Anti Politics

Politics and political participation tends dominantly to be understood in terms of formal processes associated with the institutional state, especially the liberal democratic state. But politics extends beyond such a conception to include groups and associations in civil society which, through association, protest and the establishment of alternatives, challenge formal politics and seek to take the meaning of politics and political action and association beyond liberal democratic definitions. Such forms are often referred to as anti-systemic politics. This module examines various forms of political activity and association beyond the formal liberal democratic state

Independent Study

This module gives students an opportunity to undertake an extended piece of their own research, applying research and wider intellectual skills gained during the programme to a specific aspect of Social Policy or Politics chosen by students in negotiation with a module supervisor. A typical piece of independent study for this module would form the basis for a 10,000 word dissertation.

Human Rights

This module addresses the general ideas of Human Rights and focuses in particular on the critical reading of Human Rights as one single universal paradigm. The practical critique of Human Rights proposed in this module is founded on the belief that Human Rights must and can be improved. The three main propositions outlined in this module relate to the concept of Human Rights wrongly presented as universal; the notion that Human Rights pertain to a logic which focuses on the individual to the neglect of solidarity and other social values, and the fact that the meaning of Human Rights derives from a reasoning which is far too abstract

Understanding the Policy Process

This module focuses upon the processes of policy making and implementation at both practical and theoretical levels. It introduces students to a variety of models of policymaking and discusses the complexities of the distribution of power and decision-making, primarily, but not limited to, the field of social policy. The module encourages students to develop an understanding of a range of ideas that can contribute to the ways in which we analyse policy, and to recognise that these perspectives are themselves contestable and changing. It begins with a consideration of the policy process and different ways of viewing it, including the impact of different approaches under governments from the 1970s, moving on to examine a variety of models of decision making and the range of actors involved in the making and implementation of policies.

Analysing the Policy Process

Building upon Understanding the Policy Process this module requires students not only to continue to develop their knowledge of a range of perspectives on the policy process but, in addition, to use these to analyse a case study relevant to their degree course. Where Understanding the Policy Process places its emphasis on important models and perspectives, this module explores a range of current ideas which have a significant impact upon the making and implementation of policy, such as the concept of partnership, notions of participation, and issues of accountability.

Body Politics

This module introduces the students to different paradigms of the 'body' and 'embodiment'. Recent research suggests that our understandings and our relationship with our own and other 'bodies' has been and is continuing to undergo radical changes. This unit will explore these ongoing developments in Western and non-Western cultures and societies.

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War Crimes and Genocide

This module is constructed as an attempt to understand the 'anatomy' of war crimes and genocide – their origins, ideological basis, socio-political contexts, the techniques and technologies used, precedented and unprecedented aspects. It is organised as a set of thoughts, springboards for further consideration on the historical, philosophical, political and sociological aspects of war crimes and genocide and for this reason it is particularly appealing to students who wish to develop a wider understanding of academic disciplines such as criminology, sociology, anthropology, international relation studies, politics, psychology, law and modern and contemporary history.

Studying Politics and Social Policy at the University of Lincoln involves both directed and independent learning.

Each module is delivered through a combination of weekly lectures and associated seminars and workshops. The seminars provide an opportunity for students to discuss issues raised in the lecture and engage in critical reflection on the issues being studied.

Students will also have the opportunity to meet with module leaders in tutorial sessions. As well as directed study, students will undertake independent learning using traditional library resources as well as a wide range of electronic resources. The Level One module, Applying Research, supports students to develop the requisite skills for effective independent learning.

The assessment strategy adopted within the Politics and Social Policy course is designed to test and enhance students' knowledge, skills and abilities as well as to prepare them for the demands of work. Assessments test students’ attainments of learning outcomes that demonstrate and encourage not only the knowledge base but also the development of transferable skills across the course.

Written communication skills are developed through essays and examinations, oral communication skills through presentations, literature searching and review through essays, examinations and presentations, computer literacy skills through word-processing and use of electronic resources. We utilise a broad range of assessment strategies.

In the final year students combine their study skills to undertake their own chosen area of study in the preparation of an Independent Study.

This course will appeal to students who are interested in the dynamics of the world in which we live.

It offers students the opportunity to think critically about the ways in which governments define policies, which affect the everyday lives of citizens, how they respond to the needs and challenges of a changing society and the impact of their decisions on people’s lives.

Students will develop an understanding of the key political and social debates and be able to consider them in an international context.

Students will acquire a range of skills which will enable them to develop and extend their learning in the context of a range of employment and training.

Careers for graduates exist in local and central government, the EU, journalism, law, research, industry, commerce, welfare services and public administration. There are also a variety of other public and private sector opportunities.

Graduates may choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level.

Students will normally have studied subjects in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences at A or equivalent level. An awareness and interest in contemporary political and social debates would be useful.

2012 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£10499
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£88 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£44 per credit point

 

2013 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£11130
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£93 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£47 per credit point

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding