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Economics of Social Policy - ECO00004H

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  • Department: Economics and Related Studies
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. William Jackson
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22 to Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

  • To assess the economic aspects of social policy and consider how they relate to the non-economic aspects
  • To show that all social policy gives rise to economic problems that can be analysed through the standard techniques of economics
  • To make use of the relevant economic theories and methods in evaluating social policy

Module learning outcomes

On completing the module a student will be able to:

  • Appraise the economic and non-economic objectives of the Welfare State
  • Apply economic techniques to the analysis of social policy
  • Evaluate current social policies within a formal economic framework
  • Think critically about social policy matters

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Economics of Social Policy		 8 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Economics of Social Policy		 8 hours 100

Module feedback

Information currently unavailable

Indicative reading

The main textbook is:

  • Barr, N. (2020). The Economics of the Welfare State. 6th ed. Oxford University Press.

Other texts which provide useful coverage of much of the material in the module are:

  • Culyer, A.J. (1991). The Political Economy of Social Policy. Gregg Revivals.
  • Le Grand, J., Propper, C. and Smith, S. (2008). The Economics of Social Problems. 4th ed. Macmillan.
  • Glennerster, H. (2009). Understanding the Finance of Welfare. 2nd ed. Policy Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.