EC238: Economics of Social Policy

Module code: EC238

Module provider: Economics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Gennaro Rossi , email: g.rossi@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 14 July 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module concentrates on how economic analysis can be applied to the real-world problems faced by policy makers. Economic analysis is employed in a wide range of social policies, whether in Government, the third sector but also in private sector organisations. This module concentrates on social economic problems and the role of Government policy. Analysis requires techniques taken from both micro and macroeconomics. Social economics covers a wide range of issues and the topics chosen will vary from year to year, depending on the current focus of policy interest. But, in general, the module could cover poverty and inequality, housing, crime, health, education, labour markets and urban economics for example. Not all these topics will be covered each year.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of some major social economic problems and issues that face the UK;
2. Develop appropriate economic frameworks for analysing the issues studied;
3. Using the economic frameworks developed, analyse the effectiveness or impact of different policy options and changes in policy.

Module content

Since the module is intended to cover some key social economic policy issues of the day, the topics covered may vary from year to year. However, in recent years key topics have included:

• Crime and policing
• Labour supply and demand
• Minimum and living wages
• Economics of family
• Child poverty
• Housing
• Health care
• Migration and the “brain drain”

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The lectures will cover the principal teaching material and cover all the economic analysis tools students are expected to employ. Some core academic texts and articles are suggested as jumping-off points for wider reading, which is required for the coursework. Students will have the chance to develop their data presentation and analysis skills.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.