ECM185-Economics of Social Policy

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Stephen Kastoryano
Email: s.p.kastoryano@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is intended to cover the most important social economic policy issues of the day. Consequently, the topics may vary from year-to-year in order to reflect contemporary relevance. The emphasis will be on how economic analysis can contribute to the solution of domestic and international social problems. Indicative topics are: poverty, social exclusion, unemployment, migration, gender and racial wage gaps.

Aims:
The module is intended to equip students with an understanding of contemporary social economic problems and to provide students with the key tools economists use in analysis and policy advice.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module, students should:

• have developed an understanding of the major social economic problems and issues that face the UK and a selection of other countries;


• have developed an appropriate economic framework and set of tools for analysing the issues;


• be able to analyse the effectiveness or otherwise of different policy options.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

This module is intended to cover the most important social economic policy issues of the day. Consequently, the topics may vary from year-to-year in order to reflect contemporary relevance. The emphasis will be on how economic analysis can contribute to the solution of domestic and international social problems. Indicative topics are: poverty, social exclusion, unemployment, migration, gender and racial wage gaps.

Global context:
Through project work, students are encouraged to conduct international comparative exercises concerning policy issues.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is delivered via a blended learning approach.  There will be 10 weekly seminars in weeks 1-10.  Students are expected to study the material provided, which could include pre-recorded lectures and/or reading material, before each seminar.  During the seminars, students will have a chance to discuss aspects of the topic studied, and can start preparing and discussing their assessed coursework.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		20
Guided independent study:		180
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	50
Oral assessment and presentation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students are required to submit one written piece of work consisting of two short policy briefs (worth 50%). Students will also be required to research a further topic and will then be assessed through a 10-15 minute presentation of their work (worth 50%).

Formative assessment methods:

Students will have a chance to discuss aspects of the topic studied, and can start preparing and discussing their assessed coursework during the seminars.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A minimum weighted average mark of coursework and examination of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination for all modules takes place in August/September of the same year.

Re-assessment will be by way of an alternative essay written on a different topic by the end of August of the same year. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023