How has social policy influenced ideas and values about parenthood? How have relations of care changed in a contemporary global economy? How have ‘welfare to work’ initiatives changed the meaning of ‘work’ in social policy? This module uses three key topics – Sexualities, Care and Work – to explore how individuals shape and are shaped by policy making and welfare practices and how social policy is organised, represented and experienced – opening up challenging questions about the policymaking process both in the past and in contemporary society.
What you will study
The module offers an imaginative and innovative perspective on the role played by social policy in society today through its core concepts of the personal, social policy and their mutual constitution – investigating marginalised issues, such as disability and sexuality, as well as ‘taken for granted’ topics, like women’s caring roles, highlighting their meanings in welfare practices and discourses.
Its approach is to explore the module themes across theoretical frameworks – post-structuralism, feminism, Marxism, psychoanalytic approaches and post-colonialism – in order to critically evaluate particular concerns and debates. Students are also encouraged to reflect on their own experiences of welfare and the research process (as well as analysing representations by other individuals and groups) through assignments which employ a variety of formats such as a report, as well as more conventional essays.
A clear emphasis on the evaluation of research evidence runs throughout and there are opportunities to consolidate and develop skills in analysing visual, numerical and printed data from a range of historical and contemporary sources. To gain greater insights and develop hands-on research skills, students are supported in undertaking a small piece of independent research consisting of two semi-structured interviews after reflecting on an initial interviewing experience.
This module adopts an interdisciplinary approach that is designed to be of interest and relevance to students planning OU level 3 study in social policy. In addition, it is likely to be of interest to students in other social science disciplines including sociology and psychology, as well as those in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies. It has also been designed to encourage and facilitate entry to postgraduate-level study.
Vocational relevance
This module has relevance to a wide range of employment since it offers students the opportunity to develop transferable skills, such as report writing and interviewing, and will help you plan and design your own work. It would be most valuable for people who work, or want to work, in social welfare, health care or public service settings such as the criminal justice system and various voluntary organisations. The skills developed through the module are also relevant to administration and management in the commercial and service sectors.
Entry
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Qualifications
DD305 is a compulsory module in our:
It is an optional module in our:
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DD305 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
Study materials
What's included
Three module books and online materials including a week-by-week study guide, interactive timelines, audio-visual materials, activities, study skills and resources.
You will need
You will need equipment to record interviews. Further guidance on equipment is provided in the module materials.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material, mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the module.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Professional recognition
This module may help you to gain recognition from a professional body.
Future availability
Personal lives and social policy starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2019 when we expect it to start for the last time.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.