Dr Isabel Shutes OLD2.55

This course is available on the MSc in Criminal Justice Policy, MSc in Social Policy (European and Comparative Social Policy), MSc in Social Policy (Research) and MSc in Social Policy (Social Policy and Planning). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

The course is capped at a maximum of 15 places.

The 'third sector' is conceived as including all non-state and non-market organisations - such as non-governmental organisations, voluntary organisations, and community groups - and their activities. The course provides a concise introduction to theory and evidence on the nature, past and present roles and potential capacity of third sector organisations in social policy in developed countries. It aims to answer the key questions: what is the 'third sector'?; what roles does it or should it play in meeting welfare needs?; how are third sector organisations involved in shaping social policy; how are changes in funding and in the provision of services affecting organisations? What are the limits to the roles of third sector organisations? Are the answers affected by country, institutions, policy, period, areas of activity? The course covers theoretical arguments and models of the ideal and actual roles of third sector organisations, and the historical development of the sector. It assesses boundaries and relationships between the third sector, the state and the market, and its relationship with different social groups, service users and communities. It describes and explains the size and the role the sector takes in different periods, countries and areas of activity, and evaluates its impact. It considers the independence, interdependence, accountability and probity of third sector organisations. The course draws on examples from a range of areas of activity (such as education, employment, social care), and areas of activity with particular groups (such as migrants and refugees, women, children and older people), as well as a range of countries (including the UK, other European countries, the USA and some middle income countries).

10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT. 1 hour and 30 minutes of seminars in the ST.

Students will be expected to participate actively in seminars and to complete one piece of written formative coursework

Alcock, P (2010) 'A Strategic Unity: Defining the Third Sector in the UK' Voluntary Sector Review 1(1): 5-24; Anheier, H (2005) Nonprofit Organisations: Theory, Management, Policy London: Routledge; Billis, D (2010) Hybrid Organizations and the Third Sector: Challenges for Practice, Theory and Policy Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan; Edwards, M (2009) Civil Society Bristol: Policy Press; Evers, A and Laville, J-L (eds) (2009) The Third Sector in Europe Cheltenham: Edward Elgar; Harris, M and Rochester, C (eds) (2001) Voluntary Organisations and Social Policy: Perspectives on Change and Choice London: Palgrave; Ishkanian, A and Szreter, S (2012) The Big Society Debate: A New Agenda for Social Welfare? Cheltenham: Edward Elgar; Kendall, J (2003) The Voluntary Sector: Comparative Perspectives in the UK London: Routledge; Powell, W and Steinberg, R (2006) The Nonprofit Sector: A Research Handbook New Haven: Yale University Press; Salamon, L and Anheier, H (1997) Defining the Nonprofit Sector: A Cross-National Analysis Manchester: Manchester University Press; Taylor, M (2011) Public Policy in the Community Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.