SA221     
Poverty, Social Exclusion and Social Change

This information is for the 2016/17 session.

Teacher responsible

Professor John Hills

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Environment and Development, BSc in Social Policy, BSc in Social Policy and Criminology, BSc in Social Policy and Economics, BSc in Social Policy and Sociology and BSc in Social Policy with Government. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Course content

The course will examine the definition, measurement and causes of poverty and social exclusion in general and analyse selected aspects drawn from the following: social and demographic change, gender and racial inequality,  unemployment, worklessness, social security and poverty, area deprivation, educational inequality, and social exclusion.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 1 hour of lectures in the ST.

Formative coursework

A written essay based on a class discussion question will be required from students and each student will be asked to make a short presentation for discussion in class at least once each term.

Indicative reading

A detailed list will be provided at the start of the session.  H Dean & L Platt (2016) Social Advantage and Disadvantage Oxford University Press; J Hills (2014). Good Times, Bad Times: The Welfare Myth of Them and Us Policy Press; AB Atkinson (2015) Inequality: What Can Be Done? Harvard University Press; S.P. Jenkins (2011) Changing Fortunes: Income Mobility and Poverty Dynamics in Britain Oxford University Press; T. Shildrick, R. MacDonald, C. Webster, & K Garthwaite (2010). The Low-Pay, No-Pay Cycle: Understanding Recurrent Poverty Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Assessment

Exam (75%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 1500 words) in the ST.

Student performance results

(2013/14 - 2015/16 combined)

Classification % of students
First 1.4
2:1 75.4
2:2 17.4
Third 1.4
Fail 4.3

Key facts

Department: Social Policy

Total students 2015/16: 45

Average class size 2015/16: 15

Capped 2015/16: Yes (45)

Lecture capture used 2015/16: Yes (MT & LT)

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

PDAM skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills

Course survey results

(2014/15 - 2015/16 combined)

1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" score

The scores below are average responses.

Response rate: 71%

Question

Average
response

Reading list (Q2.1)

2

Materials (Q2.3)

1.7

Course satisfied (Q2.4)

1.5

Lectures (Q2.5)

1.5

Integration (Q2.6)

1.5

Contact (Q2.7)

1.7

Feedback (Q2.8)

1.7

Recommend (Q2.9)

Yes

88%

Maybe

12%

No

0%