Social Policy
Be a force for change. Study Social Policy at Waikato and develop a critical understanding of how policy-making impacts on every person, regardless of their age, ethnicity or gender – then learn how to influence it.
Studying Social Policy involves examining the issues that affect people and society. It analyses the policies and practices of politicians, public servants, governments and non-governmental agencies, and how they impact on communities and wider society. It takes a broad and encompassing approach, because social policy impacts on all parts of everyday life – from health and education to families, transport and housing, plus the systems and institutions that support them.
Your Social Policy studies at Waikato will cover why and how societies respond to problems such as poverty and unemployment. You'll take part in popular and recurring social policy debates, and gain an in-depth understanding of why social problems arise. You'll investigate and evaluate different ways of responding to those problems.
At the end of your studies, you'll be equipped to seek employment opportunities within government agencies, non-government organisations, tertiary education institutions, voluntary and community agencies, and groups advocating for social equity and change.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga, Online Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
|---|---|
| Area of Study: |
Study Social Policy in these qualifications
Study Social Policy as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Climate Change
- Bachelor of Communication
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Career opportunities
- Advocate
- Case Manager
- Community Worker
- Policy Analyst
- Researcher
Study in Tauranga
Students in Tauranga can complete a Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) majoring in Social Policy, or complete Social Policy as a minor or supporting subject in most other Bachelors degrees.
Papers
Available Social Policy papers
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLSC102 | New Zealand Politics and Policy | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper provides a foundation for the study of political science and public policy, with a particular focus on the study of government, politics and policy in New Zealand. | |||
| SOCIO101 | Introduction to Sociology | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and practices that enable an understanding of contemporary societies. | |||
| SOCPY100 | Introduction to Social Policy | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other democratic societies. | |||
| SOCPY101 | Social Policy & the Welfare State | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Online) |
| This paper covers the rise of the welfare state as the primary means of social policy delivery in New Zealand. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLCY212 | Public Policy Analysis | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to public policy analysis. Students focus on the role of politics, public participation and policy in addressing society's big problems, how they are framed and defined, and how solutions are developed and implemented within the context of the policy process. | |||
| SOCIO206 | Environmental Sociology: From Denial to Actions | 15.0 | 24A (Online) |
| The environment and climate are as much about human activity, economic and political choices as scientific information. Thinking sociologically, not just as individuals is the key to change. | |||
| SOCPY200 | Social Policy and Social Issues | 15.0 | 24A (Online) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| The paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The focus of this paper is on the welfare state, the policy cycle as well as social problems, such as poverty. | |||
| SOCPY201 | Child Poverty & Social Policy | 15.0 | 24A (Online) |
| This paper develops students' theoretical understanding of social policy, focusing on the effects of child poverty. We examine how policy shapes and responds to poverty experienced by children and families. | |||
| SOCPY202 | Addressing Precarity: A Global Perspective | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Online) |
| This paper considers human precarity: past, present and future. The focus is on its contemporary forms under global market competition, and ways to make a more secure world in the future. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPSS390 | Directed Study | 15.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major or minor under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| GNSEX303 | Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social class. It investigates micro and macro level experiences and the social construction of identities. In doing so, this paper looks at how power is distributed in society, the theories that... | |||
| POLCY318 | Global Environmental Politics and Policy | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores contemporary debates on environmental politics, sustainability, justice, and environmental governance. It examines the political processes underpinning the search for cooperative solutions to environmental dilemmas, including climate change. | |||
| SOCIO305 | Human Enhancement Technologies and Social Life | 15.0 | 24A (Online) |
| This paper analyses the causes and impacts of technologies of human enhancement on individuals and societies. The paper addresses issues such as smart drugs, gene edits and cybernetics. | |||
| SOCIO311 | Current Issues in Crime Control and Social Justice | 15.0 | 24G (Online) |
| This paper examines sociological explanations for criminal behaviour and examines issues within criminal justice. | |||
| SOCPY300 | Applied Social Policy | 15.0 | 24B (Online) |
| This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and extended to enhance opportunities for employment in the social policy field. | |||
| SOCPY301 | Health, Wellbeing and Policy | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Online) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper provides a critical introduction to key issues in the formation of health policy at both a national and international level. | |||
| SOCPY302 | Welfare to Workfare and Beyond | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Online) |
| This paper seeks to explore the relationship between the NZ labour market and welfare system, focusing on the rise of the neo-liberal welfare state, its consequence and alternatives. | |||
| SOCPY303 | Critical Feminism and the Prison State | 15.0 | 24A (Online) |
| This paper employs anti-carceral feminist theories and frameworks to explore the phenomenon of mass female imprisonment across nation states, with a particular focus on Indigenous and Black Imprisoned Radical Tradition. | |||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPSS500 | Academic & Professional Research & Writing | 30.0 | 24A (Online), 24B (Online) & 24C (Online) |
| In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills for the future' identified by the World Economic Forum (2020), in order to produce resilient, creative students with strong analytic and critical thinking skills. | |||
| ALPSS590 | Directed Study | 30.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| ALPSS591 | Research Project | 30.0 | 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
| A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum). | |||
| ALPSS592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
| A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum). | |||
| POLSC501 | Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to the fundamentals of policy analysis, and develops skills for higher-level research in public policy. A key focus is developing critical awareness of policy processes, of the drivers of change, and of the role of both 'evidence' and public participation in policy-making, in the pursuit of inclusive ... | |||
| POLSC537 | Environmental Politics and Public Policy | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on environmental policy making. A significant focus of the paper is on analysing and understanding the complex intersections of institutions, culture, science and technology, and systems of ... | |||
| SOCPY500 | Techniques for Policy Analysis | 30.0 | 24A (Online) |
| This paper exposes students to a selection of techniques in the policy toolkit that can be applied to problem solving in social policy issues. It also reflects on the values and assumptions underlying methods. Students will be taught to apply policy methods critically and in context. | |||
| SOCPY593 | Social Policy Thesis | 90.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCPY900 | Social Policy PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 24I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Subject links
Subject Requirements
Social Policy is available as a major for the BSocSc.
Social Policy is available as a major for the BSocSc. Social Policy may also be taken as a second major or as a minor within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice, please contact one of our friendly student advisors on phone:
Note: Social Policy is available as a major for the BSocSc in Hamilton and Tauranga. Tauranga-based students majoring in Social Policy may substitute SOCW305 for SOCP304
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements, please check the information provided in the papers section above.
Contacts
School of Social Sciences
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4138
General Enquiries: [email protected]