Social Policy and Societal Well-being (ABS355)

How do countries make policies to promote the well-being of their citizens? What are the different policy designs that countries use to address social issues? What are the implications of these policies for different groups of people? In ABS355 Social Policy and Societal Well-being, we answer these questions by incorporating insights from sociology, political science, economics, and psychology, while considering social policies and programmes designed to support low-income individuals and families and remedy income insecurity and social inequality. Other major and updated topics (e.g., ageing, non-traditional family forms) are discussed. Special focus is put on welfare policies and family policies in Singapore, which will be examined in a comparative, international perspective.

• Introduction
• The Policy Process
• Gender Policy
• Immigration Policy
• The Baby Bonus Scheme
• The New Family Justice Paradigm
• Bottom of the Pyramid
• Graduation from Poverty
• Singapore as State Capitalism
• Housing Policy
• Globalisation after Covid-19
• Successful Ageing in Singapore

• Illustrate key concepts in the field of social policy.
• Discuss contemporary policy issues affecting societal well-being, including globalisation, labour market volatility, income insecurity and inequality, demographic aging, and gender inequality.
• Apply concepts and tools from multiple disciplines to analyse the development, implementation, and effects of social policy.
• Evaluate multiple sources of knowledge relating to a social policy research or practice topic.
• Propose social policies that best advances societal well-being.
• Demonstrate skills in analytical thinking and written and spoken expression.