When the Rudd Labor Government was elected in November 2007, social inclusion became a government priority.  Lying behind government policy rhetoric about social inclusion is the idea that individuals who are marginalized or excluded from the mainstream need to be more connected to the community.  The idea that social networks (social capital) can help in the fight against poverty and social exclusion is also being promoted by major development institutions such as the World Bank.  But is social capital the answer? 

This course gives students the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of one of the most important concepts driving developments in social policy, both in Australia and internationally.  The course examines different theoretical perspectives and critiques of those perspectives and explores the ways in which the concept of social capital is being applied through examples and case studies taken from a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. 

1.  demonstrate an understanding of the different ways academics have conceptualized social capital and social exclusion

2.  demonstrate an understanding of the critiques of each conceptualisation

3.  demonstrate an understanding of the policy implications of the different ways of thinking about social capital

4.  demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between social capital and social exclusion

5.  critically assess structure and arguments in an academic paper or article

Essay  (relates to Learning Outcomes 1,2 and 3)                      50%

Two in-class quizzes (relates to Learning Outcomes 2 and 4)     40%

Peer Review Exercise (relates to Learning Outcome 5)              10%

30 contact hours spread over 6 days.

This course is a Masters level course

2-3 years of work experience in the public sector or the non-government sector is essential.  Some work experience in a social policy area is desirable.

Winter, I 2000, ‘Major themes and debates in the social capital literature', in I. Winter (ed) Social capital and public policy in Australia, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne.

Woolcock, M and Narayan, D 2006, ‘Social Capital: Implications for Development Theory, Research and Policy Revisited' in Anthony J. Bebbington, Michael Woolcock, Scott Guggenheim and Elizabeth Olson (eds), The Search for Empowerment: Social Capital as Idea and Practice at the World Bank, Kumarian Press

These readings can be accessed through the ANU Library e-reserve system.  Students thinking about taking this course are encouraged to check out the preliminary readings to see if course content is of interest.