Health, care and wellbeing are central concerns in all our lives; and they raise questions of the interconnected roles of the state, the market and the individual in their creation and support. In this module we explore how we understand and conceptualise these areas, and the potential role of policy interventions in support of them. The module examines the social determinants of health, exploring the ways in which inequalities in society can be replicated. It asks how we might best address changing health needs, particularly in relation to the growing proportion of older people, exploring these in the context of the new politics of the NHS. What are the best structures to deliver health care? How should these best be funded? Life style is increasingly implicated in health outcomes, and the module explores the dilemmas raised by rising levels of obesity and alcohol consumption. These are matters of personal choice, but they challenge the health and wellbeing of the population, and raise questions of how choices are shaped in the context of market production. Governments increasingly declare that they are interested not simply in health or prosperity, but also of wellbeing. The module explores what this means, and why there is a new interest in this area. It also examines the interface between health and care, both institutionally and conceptually and in turn, how these relate to issues of wellbeing. The module's content covers a range of issues affecting adults and children/young people.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
Compulsory to BA Social Policy, BA Health and Social Care, Joint honours Social Policy programmes; and an option module for students within Schools previously a part of the Social Sciences faculty.
Main assessment methods
Coursework Essay 1 (1500 words) - 50%
Coursework Essay 2 (1500 words) - 50%
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
Bache, I. and Reardon, L. (2016) The Politics and Policy of Wellbeing: Understanding the Rise and Significance of a New Agenda Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham
Baggott R. (2000) Public Health: Policy and Politics, MacMillan, Basingstoke
Baggott R (2007) Understanding Health Policy, Policy Press, Bristol
Baggott R (2015) Understanding Health Policy (2nd edition), Policy Press, Bristol
Phillips, J (2007) Care, Polity, Cambridge
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Have an introductory level understanding how a number of key social problems are perceived and dealt with by UK social policy.
8.2 Have an introductory level knowledge of the aims of social policies.
8.3 Have an introductory level knowledge of some recent developments in UK social policy.
8.4 Be familiar with some of the key debates relating to current social policies.
8.5 Have demonstrated an ability to evaluate the effectiveness of social policies at introductory level (contributing to university Key Skill 6 – Problem Solving)
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Have developed skills in presentation of ideas and debate.
9.2 Have demonstrated an ability to apply social science theory and research evidence.
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