Social Policy

Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2013 academic year unless otherwise specified.

On this page:

• Overview
• Undergraduate Information
• Postgraduate Information
• How to Find out More
• Related Subjects and Careers
• List of Courses

This subject is taught by the School of Social and Cultural Studies.

Overview

Social Policy at Victoria is the study of how and why social policy gets made, and how it works in the real world. At the heart of Social Policy is a focus on what is commonly referred to as peoples' wellbeing or needs. Central to this are three broad questions: are we responsible for one another, as citizens, as taxpayers, as employees/employers, as family/whanau, or as members of an iwi or community? If we are responsible, what form should this take: financial support, protection, or care? And who should provide support or protection: the state, the market, the family, or charities?

The concern with wellbeing, and discussion on who is responsible for improving wellbeing, involves a number of areas of policy debate, including: poverty and social exclusion; changing populations and patterns of family life; health care reform; education policies; and housing and homelessness.

Elements from Sociology, Political Science, Social History, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, and Public Policy are used to explore a range of social issues and questions. In particular, there is constant interaction between the social trends studied by sociologists and the social policies discussed in this subject area. A major in Social Policy as part of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) would be relevant to those students who are interested in questions about how a society meets peoples' needs and explores current public concern and debate around the principles, policies and legislation that affect peoples' living conditions.

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Undergraduate Information

BA Major Requirements

1. SPOL 113 and one course from (SOSC 112, ECON 130, POLS 111)
2. 40 points from SPOL 200-399
3. 40 points from SPOL 300-399

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Postgraduate Information

Postgraduate Qualifications in Social Policy

For information specific to Social Policy, please see our Postgraduate Study page. For information about the postgraduate qualifications, please click on the Faculty links below.

• Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours (not offered in 2013)
• Master of Arts
• PhD

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How to Find out More

You can order more information on this subject using our Request for Study Material form.

Victoria's Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation Office offers advice on courses and help with planning your degree.

Contact the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' Student and Academic Services Office for information on admission, qualifications and courses, course advice and selection criteria, exemptions and prerequisites.

Social Policy courses are taught within the School of Social and Cultural Studies.

School Office: Murphy 921, tel: 04-463 5317, email: sacs@vuw.ac.nz.

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Related Subjects and Careers

Majoring in Social Policy, possibly in conjunction with majors in other Social Science subjects, Public Policy or Law, is a valuable basis for planning a career in social science research, policy analysis or professional work, e.g. psychology, social work, nursing and other health professions, teaching, management consultancy, and management and administration of social service organisations, including those in the private and voluntary sectors.

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List of Courses

Please note: the list below shows undergraduate-level courses only. For a complete course listing, see the list of all Social Policy courses.