| CODE | SWP1261 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | The Social Context of Welfare | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Social Policy and Social Work | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces the student to a range of sociological perspectives with the aim of better understanding the complex social context of welfare. Throughout the course of the study-unit, the student will get exposure to a critical review of select classic and contemporary sociological theories. These will be linked to social work practice and social policy across a comprehensive range of topics (urbanisation, work, gender, family, education, crime and deviance, and social stratification and others). It will look into key sociological issues such as, social inequality, poverty, social justice, distribution of power, conflict and how social institutions, together with a myriad of social factors, impact daily lives. Study-unit Aims: - To introduce students to the classic and contemporary sociological perspectives and key sociological issues relevant to the context of social work and social policy; - To critically examine key sociological themes and their welfare implications on different groups in society; - To think critically about the context of welfare and its dynamic processes, by analysing contemporary issues and debates. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate understanding/comprehension of key theoretical sociological concepts relevant to the various contexts of welfare; - Explain the implications that different sociological perspectives have to various contexts of welfare; - Demonstrate an understanding of basic methodological considerations concerning research in social contexts of welfare. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Analyse the dynamic processes and complexities of welfare issues emanating from the social divisions in society; - Discuss nature and extent of implications and consequences to welfare when specific ideological perspectives are implemented to social contexts; - Critically analyse contemporary debates and issues around the context of welfare in class discussions and draw on relevant sociological theory to address such debates; - Critically reflect on the ever-changing context of welfare and how the understanding of such context shapes our interpretations of social situations. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Giddens, A. and Sutton, P.W (2021) Sociology. 9th edition. Cambridge: Polity. - Llewellyn, A., Agu, L. and Mercer, D. (2015) Sociology for Social Workers. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Polity. Supplementary Texts: - Briguglio, M. & Brown, M. (Eds.) 2016. Sociology of the Maltese Islands. Malta: Miller Distributors. - Browne, K. 2016 (or any edition). Sociology: For AQA Volume 2. Cambridge: Polity Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Roberta Scerri Damian Spiteri (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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