Transforming society: politics, economics and social policy

Course delivery and schedule

This Weekend Course includes 7 x 90-minute sessions delivered between Friday evening and Sunday lunchtime with plenty of opportunity for further conversations and networking during breaks and mealtimes.

Course sessions

The first course session takes place after dinner on Friday evening. There are four sessions on Saturday: two before lunch, one before dinner and one after dinner. There is a break on Saturday afternoon just after lunch, offering time to rest, read, or explore Madingley Hall’s beautiful grounds. The final two sessions take place on Sunday morning, and the course finishes with lunch. 

Summary of content

Britain is undergoing rapid social and economic change, for example, in relation to the effects of austerity, the growth of populism, Brexit and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This course explores the intersection of politics, economics and social policy to explain recent social transformations. Topics covered will include an introduction to economic theories, including Keynesianism and monetarism, and an analysis of the intersection of economic theories and political ideologies as a route to understanding how governments make social policy and, potentially, transform society. Subsequently, you will explore the meaning of social policy, the details of the policy making process and how the effectiveness of specific policy reforms might be evaluated.

A critical review will be provided of Thatcherism, New Labour and the Coalition government (2010-2015) in terms of their social policy aims, successes and failures which, to varying degrees, altered social and economic life in Britain. You will also examine austerity, why Britain voted to leave the European Union (Brexit), how Britain left the EU and the current government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The course concludes with a critical discussion of the Conservative government’s levelling up programme to explore the potential of social policy to transform society. Throughout the course, you will reflect on both the intended and unintended consequences of governments’ social policies as mechanisms for changing society.

Aims

The course aims to:

• promote an understanding of the interconnection of economic theories, political ideologies and social policy as mechanisms for transforming society
   
• define social policy, consider the complexity of the policy making process and examine how the effectiveness of specific social policy initiatives is to be judged
   
• explore and evaluate examples of the social policy agendas of the Thatcher/Major, New Labour and Coalition (2010-2015) governments considering the economic underpinnings of policy and the successes and failures of specific initiatives
   
• critically reflect on recent developments in social policy including Brexit, the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Conservative government’s levelling up programme

Friday

Please plan to arrive at Madingley Hall between 16:30 and 18:30. You can meet other course participants in the Terrace Bar which opens at 18:15. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the study bedrooms.

Saturday

Sunday

Presentation of the course

The course will be taught using highly interactive seminar-style sessions, which draw on students’ knowledge and experience to illustrate key ideas in relation to politics, economics and social policy. PowerPoint presentations will be used to guide sessions. Class discussion and interaction will be encouraged.

Learning outcomes

As a result of the course, you will gain a greater understanding of the subject and you should be able to:
 

• differentiate and explain the main features of Keynesianism and monetarism, and understand the link between economic theory, political ideology and social policy
   
• define social policy, understand the social policy making process and evaluate methods used to assess the effectiveness of specific social policy initiatives
   
• critically evaluate the economic foundations and examples of the social policies of the Thatcher/Major, New Labour and Coalition (2010-2015) governments
   
• draw on historical evidence and emerging sources of research to reflect on the efficacy of Brexit, the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its policy of levelling up the UK

Course materials

Course materials include the course syllabus, detailed timetable, reading list and tutor biography. 

We will email these to you before your course starts. Please check your spam folder if you have not received them.

Please note that our weekend courses are non-credit bearing and there is no formal assessment.

About Madingley Hall 

This weekend course takes place at Madingley Hall, home to University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE).  Built in the 16th century, Madingley Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, and is set in eight acres of landscaped gardens designed in the 18th century by ‘Capability’ Brown. Madingley is just four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and only 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports. 

As a student you will enjoy award-winning cuisine in our elegant Dining Hall and first-rate facilities in an atmospheric and inspiring setting. You can choose to stay at the Hall in comfortable en suite accommodation,or attend as a non-resident. 

Accommodation

Accommodation for those wishing to be resident is provided in single, double or twin study bedrooms, with views over the woods, garden and courtyard. 

Each room has internet access, a television and a direct-dial telephone, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities and a safe for valuables. Rooms are all en suite and centrally heated. 

A lift gives access to two bedrooms adapted for wheelchair users, and all areas on the ground floor can be reached once inside the building. A lift also gives access to First Floor teaching rooms for those who cannot use stairs. If you would like us to make any special provision for your stay, please let us know when booking, and we will be happy to discuss your requirements. 

Non-participant attendance 

Please note: accommodation spaces are limited and priority is given to course attendees. Non-residential places are available for those who live locally or who prefer to stay elsewhere. If space permits, non-participant guests over the age of 18 may accompany a course attendee for the weekend, paying the rate below for accommodation and meals.  

Fees 

Residential fees cover tuition, accommodation and meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch (a total of two breakfasts, two lunches, and two evening meals), as well as morning coffee and afternoon tea during teaching hours.  

Non-residential places are available for those who live locally or who prefer to stay elsewhere. Non-residential fees include tuition, lunches, evening meals, morning coffee and afternoon tea during teaching hours. (Non-residents wishing to purchase breakfast may do so on payment of the current rate to Reception before taking their meal.) 

If a residential student is sharing a room with someone who is not enrolled on the Weekend Course, guest accommodation and meal prices are subjected to 20% VAT. 

Course fees 

Accommodation fees (includes Friday and Saturday night with breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at Madingley Hall)

Supplementary items  

Accommodation for verified carers is provided free of charge, accommodation and meals for guests is subject to VAT.  

Any attendee sharing a room with a carer should get in touch with us using the 'Ask a question' button on this page. We can then discuss further details before the booking deadline.

Extra nights 

If there is capacity, you can book to stay for the Sunday night after your course at the same weekend bed and breakfast rate. Requests for an additional Sunday night’s bookings are considered, and you will be contacted if space is not available. Please note: dinners are not provided on a Sunday evening. If you wish to arrive early (before Friday) you will need to make a separate booking with Madingley Hall (charges may differ). 

Dietary requirements 

If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies, please indicate these when booking.  

Late bookings

Whilst we may on occasion be able to accept late bookings, for sustainability reasons we cannot always accommodate complex dietary/allergen or other additional support requirements for any bookings received or any dietary/additional support requirements notified after the booking deadline. Please consider this if you are asking to book after the deadline and have special dietary or additional support requirements.

Concessions

We offer a range of concessions for our Weekend Courses: 

• State School Teacher Concession: 25% reduction of tuition fee for any teacher with Qualified Teacher Status working in a UK state-funded school or Further Education institution
• Benefits Concession: 25% reduction of tuition fee applicable to recipients of a UK state benefit. Such as Universal Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Carer's Allowance or Attendance Allowance, or Pension Credit
• University of Cambridge staff concession: 25% reduction of tuition fee applicable to employees who hold a contract of employment with the University
• Cambridge Alumni (CAMCard) concession: 10% reduction of tuition fee applicable to Cambridge University Alumni only. 

You will be asked to upload current proof of status for all concessions when booking. If you are applying for the Benefits Concession, you must be in receipt of the benefit at the time of booking and documents must be dated within the last 12 months. 

Please see our concessions page for further details.

Getting to Madingley Hall 

We are based at Madingley Hall (CB23 8AQ) in the village of Madingley, four miles west of Cambridge. It is easily accessible from the M11, A14 and A428. Other gateways include Cambridge Main Railway Station and London airports.   

If you are arriving in Cambridge by train you can take a taxi to Madingley Hall. Please contact Reception to book a taxi for your return journey.  

Parking 

Free on-site car parking is available and we have a small number of spaces close to the Hall entrance for Blue Badge holders. 

Who can book? 

Our weekend courses are open to participants over the age of 18 and courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. No academic qualifications are required and most courses are suitable for students who are new to the subject. Please ensure that you complete any required reading listed in your course materials before the course starts to enable you to fully participate and get the maximum enjoyment out of your course. 

English language requirements 

To get the maximum benefit from studying with us if your first language is not English, you will need to be confident understanding and following discussions presented in written and spoken English at University level and will need to satisfy yourself that you have the appropriate level of English language proficiency. As a guide, we would suggest you need near-native command of the language, with levels around IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 92. Please contact us if you are unsure. 

Accessibility for students with support requirements 

We make every effort both to anticipate and to make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of students with support requirements including those with unseen disabilities, including mental health conditions, and specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. 

Please ensure you let us know about any support requirements when booking so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before your course starts, enabling a smooth transition to your studies. 

If when booking you indicate that you require additional support, you will be sent a Student Additional Requirements Form (SARF) to complete. The form asks for further details about your requirements and support needs, and requests that you submit supporting evidence. 

If you have any particular requirements or queries please get in touch with us using the 'Ask a question' button on this page.

Booking a course 

To book a weekend course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address and pay for your course by credit or debit card. 

Payments 

Payment can be made by credit/debit card using our secure online booking system, unless otherwise arranged. You can either pay in full at the time of booking or pay a 15% registration fee as a deposit; the balance will automatically be taken two weeks before the start of the course, if your payment card is stored in our system. For bookings received later than 14 days before the start of the course, payment must be made in full.

Booking deadlines 

Bookings close 5 days before the start of the course. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We always recommend that you book early and well before the booking deadline to avoid disappointment. 

Late bookings

Whilst we may on occasion be able to accept late bookings, for sustainability reasons we cannot always accommodate complex dietary/allergen or other additional support requirements for any bookings received or any dietary/additional support requirements notified after the booking deadline. Please consider this if you are asking to book after the deadline and have special dietary or additional support requirements.

Booking terms and conditions 

Before booking your course, please ensure that you have read and understood our booking terms and conditions.