International Social Welfare and Social Policy
MSc
Intermediate award(s): PG Dip, PG CertCourse overview
This course is comprised of a two-year, part-time Masters award, managed within our Department of Family and Community Studies in our Faculty of Health & Social Care. It is aimed at all personnel who are involved in welfare or policy who wish to broaden their knowledge in different international contexts and promotes the building of, or wish to benefit from strong global contacts.You will have the opportunity to explore and learn with and from others, reflecting upon the challenges in a constructive way, deepening an awareness of your own and others' perspectives.
You may already have a degree or equivalent experience of working within a national social welfare or social policy environment. This course will give you an opportunity to gain new perspectives about how social welfare and social policy, is looked at from a global standpoint. You will gain a greater understanding of the international issues surrounding social welfare and social policy which will allow you to develop the skills you need to advance your career at a national and/or global level.
Core modules
Globalisation, Social Welfare and Social Policy
This module considers the relationship between globalization and social welfare and social policy from a micro, mezzo and macro level. It considers how globalization impacts on social welfare provision and social policy planning in different countries and societal contexts from a political, social, economic, technological and educational view. We will evaluate and critically analyse whether there are universal values and a universal knowledge base which can be relied upon to provide a response towards overcoming global problems, or whether they are, or need to be, culturally and locally specific. This module also looks at how individuals, social networks and organisations deal with providing support for those in greatest need and how this can be translated to work within an international arena from both a statutory and voluntary/NGO provider perspective. Finally, we will consider the role of the social welfare and social policy worker within a globalized world and critically debate universal standards of practice and transferable skills and adaptation.
Comparative Social Policy and Social Welfare
This module looks at comparative issues concerning social policy and social welfare in the international context. Areas such as migration, poverty and social exclusion, youth work, street living and community work will be analysed across a variety of countries and regions. Within the context of specific case studies you will apply the principles of comparative analysis and critically evaluate methodological issues which arise from comparative analysis. Further emphasis will lie on the critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives of international social welfare and social policy in the context of specific case studies. The module will enable you to develop your own comparative analysis regarding specific issues of international social welfare and social policy and it will also enhance your theoretical and methodological evaluation skills of existing literature regarding comparative analysis.
Research Studies
This module is designed to provide you with a critical overview of the main methodologies and designs applied to research within health and social care, professional practice, regulation and policy. It provides you with an opportunity to explore the theoretical dilemmas that underlie the process of inquiry and its relationship to practice. The module will provide a framework within which to select, evaluate and justify the research methods chosen for your research project.
Major Project
The major project is of central importance to the Masters award. You will be expected to bring together aspects of learning from previous modules as well as use the learning as the basis for planning, conducting and writing a research or work-based project. This module will support you in your preparation and submission of a Masters level major project (either a research project or work-based project). There will be eight hours of workshop support available to you during the module. This will be delivered as four two-hour workshops. In addition there will be a full-day introductory workshop before the module commences. You will be allocated a minimum of six hours individual supervisory support. More time can be negotiated with your supervisor.
Optional modules
Global Leadership
Businesses, whether private, public or third sector, operate in a world facing a range of urgent global issues. This module examines the fitness of business and individuals to tackle such issues, based on the Global Leadership model developed by lecturers at this university. This model consists of four elements: effective decision making, adoption of a global approach, creation of a new business paradigm and a contemporary mission. The module also considers the related concept of Mis-Leadership, which looks at how leaders have often failed to achieve the optimum outcomes for those they lead. Leaders predominantly create context and this module will explore the skills required to successfully mould and develop the context in a chaotic environment.
Collaborative Practice for Integrated Care
Within social work, interprofessional work at the health and social care interface is gathering momentum evidenced by closer links being forged in terms of policy, practice and organisations. Social workers are currently building and sustaining purposeful relationships with people and organisations in community-based and interprofessional contexts taking lead roles in or contributing to integrated care and partnership working.
- Implementing this policy is often fraught with difficulties and Interprofessional working/partnerships require the development of skills and knowledge in order to build capacity for shared understanding and maintaining relationships or focus. Little attention is given to these skills in training or CPD; this module therefore seeks to address some of these most salient issues.
Essential Issues in Public Health Policy
On this module you will develop a critical understanding of public health, and are encouraged to engage in critical debate using historical and theoretical perspectives to examine major public health issues and policy developments. You are encouraged to draw on and share your own experience to inform your understanding of contemporary public health. Emphasis is placed on collaborative working by students in evaluating current policies and practices as well as in generating new ideas. You will relate policies, practice and the ideologies that shape them to the prevailing social and economic conditions. Social inequalities, particularly the widening ?health gap?, are a key theme in developing and developed nations. You have the opportunity to apply generalised knowledge to specific areas of public health policy and practice and to reflect critically on the implications of policy interventions across disciplines and agencies.
Links with industry and professional recognition
Links with caring agencies. Local Authorities, NGO's and Community Development organisations.Work placements
Any conference within the national or international arena relating to social work, social policy or related areaAssociated careers
Social Work; Social Policy; Community Development; Education.How to apply
Location
Duration
2 yearsTeaching times*
Wednesdays for up to 4 hours between 9.00-5.00pmAvailable starts
September, JanuaryStudent finance
Open Day
Saturday 13 JulyPostgraduate Open Day
Faculty
Health, Social Care & EducationDepartment
Family and Community StudiesContact us
UK and EU applicants:- Call 01245 686868
- Complete enquiry form
- Call +44 (0)1245 493131 ext 2609
- Complete enquiry form
*Teaching days and times are for guidance only and are subject to change each academic year. We advise all applicants to wait until they are in receipt of their timetable before making arrangements around their course times.
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