SPOL20050 Economics of Social Policy

Academic Year 2021/2022

This course is about the relationship between economics and social policy. It introduces students to the basic principles of economics, and to how the framework derived from them can be applied to the analysis of social justice, the welfare state, and areas of social policy such as employment, education, health, housing and transport.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Grasp core basic economic principles
2. Understand the contribution economics can make to social policy
3. Be able to apply an economic perspective to some substantive areas of social policy, such as the labour market, income distribution, education, health and housing.

Indicative Module Content:

The module is delivered through a series of online lectures, discussion classes and presentations which are structured to cover: the key 'concepts' for the course (markets, equity and efficiency); the key 'contexts' for the course (including the economic climate, the welfare state, taxation and international rules and agreements); and key 'applications' for the course (Healthcare, Education, Housing, Poverty, Inequality, Income Maintenance, Transport).
Full details are available on the course outline.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Specified Learning Activities

30

Autonomous Student Learning

50

Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Learning is through lecture attendance and participation, course reading, completion of assignments and self-directed learning.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

none

Learning Exclusions:

none


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Online MCQ Examination 1 hour End of Trimester Exam n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

60

Assignment: Group Presentation Unspecified n/a Graded No

40


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Course Assignment Students will be provided with feedback which will include the assignment grade and some individual comments. These will be provided electronically to students. A document will also be made available with some overall comments on the assignments. Draft grades will be available via SISWeb -My Indicative In-Semester Grades.

Core texts:

Le Grand, J., Smith, S. & Propper, C. (2008) The Economics of Social Problems, 4th edition, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

Barr, N. (2012) Economics of the Welfare State, 5th edition, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.

Other useful reading:

O’Hagan, J. & O’Toole, F. (eds.) (2017) The Economy of Ireland, 13th edition, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

The majority of lectures will draw on the core texts mentioned above. References to the relevant chapter of these texts, plus other reading material, are listed in the course outline and will be provided at the end of each lecture (where any updates will be included).