Key Issues in Social Policy Studies

Course Coordinator: Chan Wai-leung, BSSc (Hons), MPhil (CUHK)

Aims
This course introduces students to the key theoretical and empirical issues in social policy studies. As such, it explores the concept of policy process, the provision of social welfare, and the frameworks of social policy analysis and evaluation. Various policy issues in social welfare, such social security, employment, housing, health and education, will be examined. A particular focus of this course will be the social problems and social policy issues in Hong Kong and other Chinese societies. Students will be able to develop their skills of critical evaluation and appraisal of social policy issues in the contexts of Hong Kong and Greater China.

Contents

• The concept of policy process and social policy analysis
• The provision of social welfare
• The frameworks of social policy analysis and evaluation
• The major social policy issues in Hong Kong
• The major social policy issues in selected societies in Greater China

Assessment
Course assessment includes:

1. Presentation and discussion (35%)
2. Term essay (35%)
3. Final examination (30%)

Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Set Book(s)
There is no set book for the course. Relevant articles from academic journals and book chapters are to be assigned as course readings.