SOCI368-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025

The Politics of Need: Globalisation, Poverty and Welfare Provision

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 2 March 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 May 2025

Description

An advanced study of globalisation that examines how our new world of risk (including global financial risk) shapes our experiences of wealth, poverty and belonging. As well as using case studies from around the world, it covers groundbreaking theorisations of globalisation and an interrogation of New Zealand's place in a global world.

The Politics of Need is a critical engagement with global society and the issues that have arisen and continue to arise. What does - and can - society mean? What are the debates, challenges and possibilities as we find ourselves in the second decade of the 21st century? Why does Need still occur? How can we think critically past the all-too often simplistic pieties and blames of both the left and the right? How are governments, think tanks, NGOs, social movements, intellectuals and public debate responding?

Throughout the course two central questions drive our thinking and discussion:
1: Why, in late modern society do inequalities exist?
2:Is the welfare state actually a way to manage inequalities for the benefit of the middle classes?

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Identify what gives rise to the continuation of inequality and inequity
2. Recognize the diverse ways structures and theories frame the modern welfare
state
3. Predict future issues Aotearoa-New Zealand will need to address and deal with
4. Demonstrate a working knowledge of both the welfare state and neoliberalism
5. Apply theory to policy and societal issues
6. Assess via policy briefs what 'should' be done
7. Critique both the status quo and proposed options
8. Develop critical thinking and reading skills and hone writing ability

Prerequisites

30 points of SOCI including 15 points at 200 level; OR 30 points of SOCI or ANTH at 200 level; OR 60 points in related subjects including 30 points at 200 level with the approval of the Head of Department.

Restrictions

SOCI268, SOCI348 (prior to 2006), HSRV205

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 12:00 - 14:00 Elsie Locke 104A
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 10:00 Psychology - Sociology 456
24 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
02 Thursday 12:00 - 13:00 Psychology - Sociology 456
24 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun

Contact Person

Michael Grimshaw

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Essay 25% due end of Term 1
Briefing Paper and Presentation 25% due end of Term 2. Briefing Paper = 20% | PowerPoint/A3 = 5%
Assignments 40% 4 in total - 10% each 3x Tutorial reading assignments + 1x 'change from below' response at least 2x due by the end of Term 1
Attendance and participation 10% Tutorial attendance & participation

Textbooks / Resources

Why there is no textbook... & Key Course Resources

As society, need and the welfare state is in a constant and necessary state of change there is no textbook for this course.

Rather there are links to readings and new readings and resources will be made available during the course as they come to hand.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,788.00

International fee $8,200.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All SOCI368 Occurrences

  • SOCI368-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025