Singapore University of Social Sciences

Social Policy and Societal Well-being

Social Policy and Societal Well-being (ABS355)

Applications Open: 01 October 2024

Applications Close: 15 November 2024

Next Available Intake: January 2025

Course Types: Modular Undergraduate Course

Language: English

Duration: 6 months

Fees: $1392 View More Details on Fees

Area of Interest: Humanities and Social Sciences

Schemes: Alumni Continuing Education (ACE)

Funding: To be confirmed

School/Department: School of Humanities & Behavioural Sciences


Synopsis

How do countries make policies to promote the well-being of their citizens? What are the different policy designs that countries use to address social issues? What are the implications of these policies for different groups of people? In ABS355 Social Policy and Societal Well-being, we answer these questions by incorporating insights from sociology, political science, economics, and psychology, while considering social policies and programmes designed to support low-income individuals and families and remedy income insecurity and social inequality. Other major and updated topics (e.g., ageing, non-traditional family forms) are discussed. Special focus is put on welfare policies and family policies in Singapore, which will be examined in a comparative, international perspective.

Level: 3
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN
E-Learning: BLENDED - Learning is done MAINLY online using interactive study materials in Canvas. Students receive guidance and support from online instructors via discussion forums and emails. This is supplemented with SOME face-to-face sessions. If the course has an exam component, this will be administered on-campus.

Topics

  • Social theory and social policy
  • The processes of policy formulation
  • The social context of policy implementation
  • Evaluation of social policies
  • Advocacy and impact on social policy
  • Poverty, inequality and social policy I
  • Poverty, inequality and social policy II
  • Changing families and family policies I
  • Changing families and family policies II
  • Public housing policies
  • Globalisation, neo-liberalism, and welfare regimes
  • Communitarianism and state capitalism in Singapore

Learning Outcome

  • Illustrate key concepts in the field of social policy.
  • Discuss contemporary policy issues affecting societal well-being, including globalisation, labour market volatility, income insecurity and inequality, demographic aging, and gender inequality.
  • Apply concepts and tools from multiple disciplines to analyse the development, implementation, and effects of social policy.
  • Evaluate multiple sources of knowledge relating to a social policy research or practice topic.
  • Propose social policies that best advances societal well-being.
  • Demonstrate skills in analytical thinking and written and spoken expression.
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