Social Policy and Development (DEVT90076)

Teaching dates: 6 - 10 November 2023

Application deadline: 11:59pm Monday 17 July 2023

This subject investigates the linkages between social policy and development (including economic development) within lower-middle income countries. The November availability of this subject is taught as a University of Melbourne Overseas Subject in Indonesia. By learning 'in-country', the subject draws from the experience of many different actors in Indonesia to understand the roles played by states, civil society organisations, communities and the private sector in responding to complex social policy issues such as poverty and welfare, environmental change (affecting agriculture and other production), unemployment, old age, health, rights, gender inequality and other aspects of inequality. More specifically, the subject examines how efforts are made to instigate social policy via state-led policy formation and implementation at different levels of government, and through innovations from the civil society organisations, the private sector, international aid, and communities. The subject also explores debates on the relationship between social and economic development and the implications for social policy in multi-level and decentralised governance structures. Students learn from their experience examining these issues in Indonesia during the teaching period and apply this in their first assessment. The broader readings for the subject also examine similar social policy issues in other countries in the Asia Pacific. Students then use both their Indonesia experience and broader learning from the reading and their own research to investigate similar social policy challenges and responses in other country contexts in the Asia-Pacific for their second assessment.

The November Availability of this subject is taught as a University of Melbourne Overseas Subject in Indonesia with our partner institution the University of Gadjah Mada. The subject will involve Masters students from both Melbourne and Masters students and staff from our Indonesian partner university. This subject provides an exciting opportunity for students from each University to learn with and from each other to gain deeper knowledge on tackling inequalities and understanding real-world development challenges and responses through social policy in lower-middle income countries. The subject also uses teaching mediums that connects students with experts in the field in Indonesia. There is a quota for this subject.

Entry into this subject is by application only and is competitive. Places are limited, and students may not self-enrol. There will be several application rounds, but most places will be filled in early application rounds.

You must first apply and be selected before you can be enrolled in this subject, and you must also ensure that you have confirmed with a course advisor from Stop 1 that this subject can be credited to your degree or diploma prior to applying. If this subject is not listed as an approved elective for your course, you will need to attain written (email) permission from your course coordinator and provide this to Stop 1 before you can be enrolled.

Students from the Masters of Development Studies and the Masters of Social Policy will be prioritised. Applications from students enrolled in other Masters programs such as Master of International Relations and Master of Public Policy and Management for which the subject is listed as an elective may also apply.

Selection is determined on the basis of merit, the contents of personal statements outlining personal, professional, and scholastic motivations for wanting to participate, and stage of degree (students in their final semester/s will be prioritised). Students must display a commitment to and willingness to study in a cross-country and cross-cultural environment with students from our partner university, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The decisions of the subject coordinator will be final and subject to the limits of the quota.

This subject is worth 12.5 points.

Applicants will be required to provide a brief explanation of their reasons for choosing this subject and make their case for admittance against the questions in the application form.

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More information including assessment details are available on the Social Policy and Development (DEVT90076) Handbook web page.

For information on subject content, assessment types, schedule, and academic matters, contact the subject coordinator A/Prof. Rachael Diprose: rachael.diprose@unimelb.edu.au.

For information on funding, insurance and administrative matters, contact the Arts UMOS team: arts-umos@unimelb.edu.au.