Course Structure & Content
Social Policy
This programme is taught by the School of Social Work and Social Policy and is offered as part of the Joint Honours architecture.
Course Content
Social policy uses theory but it is about people’s lives –which means it is applied - focused on real social issues and how policy can affect real people. Social policy is also interdisciplinary- it uses insights from disciplines such as economics, sociology, psychology, geography, history, law, philosophy and political science. This is why social policy is called a field of study. An understanding of these diverse disciplines is necessary to address the complexity of many social issues and to formulate social policies which can make a difference.
Academic Year 2026 / 2027
| Semester | Module Code | Module Name | Module Lecturer | Lecturer Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 / Michaelmas Term | SSU11051 / SSU11061 | Introduction to Social Policy Concepts | Dr Carla Petautschnig Arancibia | |
| Semester 1 / Michaelmas Term | SSU11071 | Accessing and Reviewing Literature | Dr Lynne Cahill | |
| Semester 2 / Hilary Term | SSU11122 | Citizens Participation in Research Policy | Dr. Catherine Conlon | |
| Semester 2 / Hilary Term | SSU11092 | Critical Analysis and Argument Development | Dr Louise Caffrey |
| Semester | Module Code | Module Name | Module Lecturer | Lecturer Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 / Michaelmas Term | SSU22301/ SSU22311 | Understanding Homelessness | Mr Mike Allen | |
| Semester 1 / Michaelmas Term | SSU22191 / SSU22291 | Social Policy in Action |
Dr Carla Petautschnig Arancibia |
|
| Semester 2 / Hilary Term | SSU22161 / SSU22171 | Labour Market Activation Policies | Dr Carla Petautschnig Arancibia | |
| Semester 2 / Hilary Term | SSU22212 / SSU22222 | Qualitative Methods for Social Policy | Dr Kasia Wodniak |
| Semester | Module Code | Module Name | Module Lecturer | Lecturer Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 / Michaelmas Term | SSU33011 / SSU33022 | Youth and Society | Dr Paula Mayock | |
| Semester 1 / Michaelmas Term | SSU34002 / SSU34012 | Ageing and Intergenerational Relations | Dr Catherine Elliott O Dare | |
| Semester 2 / Hilary Term | SSU33802 / SSU33702 | Global Social Policy | Dr Kasia Wodniak | |
| Semester 2/ Hilary Term | SSU34052 / SSU34042 | Quantitative Methods for Social Policy | Dr Philip Curry |
| Semester | Module Code | Module Name | Module Lecturer | Lecturer Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 / Michaelmas Term | SSU44031 / SSU44021 | Eco Social Policy | Dr Joe Whelan | |
| Semester 1 / Michaelmas Term | SSU44162 / SSU44152 | Disability and Human Rights Global Perspectives | Ms. Ann Swift | |
| Semester 2 / Hilary Term | SSU44112 / SSU44102 | Crime and Justice – Theories, Responses and Contemporary Debates | Prof. Nicola Carr | |
| Semester 2 / Hilary Term | SSU44202 /SSU44192 | Social Citizenship for the 21st Century | Prof. Virpi Timonen |
ACADEMIC YEAR 2026 / 2027
(All 2026/2027 handbooks will be available in late August)
SOCIAL POLICY HANDBOOK 2025 / 2026 (All Years, Junior/Senior Fresh and Junior/Senior Sophister) HERE
Junior Fresh (First Year) 2025 / 2026 Social Policy Module Descriptor Handbook HERE
Senior Fresh (Second Year) 2025 / 2026 Social Policy Module Descriptor Handbook HERE
Junior Sophister (Third Year) 2025 / 2026 Social Policy Module Descriptor Handbook HERE
Social Policy Senior Sophister (Fourth Year) Descriptors 2026 / 2027
SOCIAL POLICY, ASSESSMENT COVER SHEET 2025 / 2026 HERE
CAPSTONE HANDBOOK 2025 / 2026 HERE