Social Policy & Development (BSc.)
Programme Overview
The B.Sc. Social Policy and Development degree expose students to the meaning of Social Policy and its critical role in fostering the human, social and economic development of a nation. Students gain a deeper understanding of this interdependence as they learn the role and functions of social policy, policy-making frameworks, social policy monitoring and evaluation methodologies and a range of development theories and approaches. Students also learn important social research and data analysis skills which enable them to effectively analyse and critique Caribbean social policies and development outcomes and craft policy-relevant recommendations.
Skills developed in Social Policy:
- Analytical
- Clear and logical thinking
- Communication
- Critical Evaluation
- Gathering, assessing and interpreting data
- Analytical and academic writing
- Statistical
- Organizing
- Planning
- Problem-solving
Programme Objectives
1. To provide students with an understanding of sociological theory and the key social and development challenges facing Caribbean societies.
2. To provide students with an understanding of the meaning, role and functions of social policy in facilitating development.
3. To expose students to the main approaches and frameworks for social policy making given the challenges posed by neo-liberalism and globalisation.
4. To provide students with a grounding in the key development theories and to develop their understanding of the development strategies pursued in the Caribbean.
5. To provide training in social research methodologies to enable students to develop strong qualitative and quantitative research skills and the ability to analyse data, and critique policy outcomes.
6. To foster the development of critical and strategic thinkers who can contribute in a meaningful way to the Social Policy and Development landscapes in the Caribbean.
Admission Requirements
Before registration and before beginning courses in the Department, the candidate must have satisfied the University Matriculation requirements:
EITHER
• A minimum of five (5) subjects including English Language and Mathematics at the CXC General or GCE O’Level and any two (2) or more A’Level or CAPE courses.
OR
• CXC General, GCE O’Level or CAPE and other tertiary level qualifications (See University requirements in UWI Calendar and Social Sciences Booklet)
Where students have been accepted without CXC/GCE O’Level Mathematics, they will be required to successfully complete EC08A (Pre-University Mathematics) by the completion of their Level I Programme. This also applies to Social Work students.
Programme Structure
Level I (Minimum 30 credits)
1. SOCI1001: Introduction to Social Research
2. SOCI1002: Introduction to Sociology I
3. SOCI1003: Sociology and Development
4. FOUN1013: Critical Reading and Writing in the Social Sciences OR
FOUN1019: Critical Reading and Writing in the Disciplines
5. FOUN1101: Caribbean Civilization
6. FOUN1201: Science, Medicine & Technology in Society
7. SOCI1005: Introduction to Statistics for Behavioural Sciences
8. ECON1000: Principles of Economics I
9. GOVT1000: Introduction to Political Institutions and Analysis
10. Plus 1 Level I Free Elective
Level II & Level III (Minimum 60 credits)
11. SOCI2000: Classical Social Theory
12. SOCI2006: Qualitative Methods in Sociological Research
13. SOCI2007: Survey Design and Analysis
14. SOCI2008: Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences
15. SOWK2004: Development of Social Policy
16. SOCI3026: Sociology of Development
17-18. SOCI3045: Capstone Research Course in Social Policy and Development
19. SOCI3015: Introduction to the Evaluation of Social Programmes
20. SOCI3030: Globalization and Development
21. GOVT3033: Concepts and Theories of Public Policy
22-25. Plus 4 Level II Free Electives
26-30. Plus 5 Level III Free Electives
Careers after Graduation
-University Lecturer
-Researchers
-Public Sector Managment
-Housing Advisor/Manager
-Social Policy Analyst
-Youth Worker
-Project Administrator