Sociology
Understanding Society: Ideological context - aims of welfare state/ Legislation, services, policies and issues
College
90 minutes
8
Level 4 UK Social Care
By the end of this session, students will have had the opportunity to:
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 10 mins | Brief overview of the lesson topic, objectives, and relevance to students. |
| 2 | Homework Check | 15 mins | Review the previous lesson's homework. Students submit work for review without presentations; feedback will be provided individually. |
| 3 | Lecture on Health Inequalities | 20 mins | Discuss origins of health inequalities and evolving political ideologies affecting healthcare delivery. Use real-world examples. |
| 4 | Group Activity | 20 mins | Split into small groups. Each group will analyze a case study related to healthcare policies and discuss their implications. Prepare a brief summary. |
| 5 | Break and Physical Activity | 10 mins | Engage in a short physical activity (e.g., stretching or a brief workout) to refresh students. |
| 6 | Full Class Discussion | 10 mins | Regroup and share outcomes of group activity. Discuss findings and answer questions. |
| 7 | Assign Homework | 5 mins | Outline the homework task based on current lesson content. Ensure clarity on expectations. |
| 8 | Conclusion and Q&A | 10 mins | Recap main points, address remaining questions, and provide additional resources. |
This lesson plan is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ideological context surrounding the welfare state, promoting an interactive and engaging learning experience.
"Good [morning/afternoon], everyone! Welcome back to our Sociology class. Today, we will be focusing on 'Understanding Society: the ideological context and aims of the welfare state.' Throughout this session, our primary objective is to identify the origins of health inequalities, define the changing political ideologies that have influenced healthcare delivery, and discuss the ongoing nature of inequality within the healthcare system. By the end of our time together, I hope you'll have a deeper understanding of how these factors shape our society. Let's get started!"
"Before we dive into today's lesson, let's take a moment to check your homework from last week. I've collected your assignments, and I appreciate your efforts in completing them. I won't be providing feedback right now, but I will review each of your submissions and give you personalized feedback individually as soon as possible. If you have any questions about your homework, please feel free to drop by my office during my hours next week."
"Now, let’s move into our lecture segment for today. I’ll be discussing the origins of health inequalities. As we know, health disparities have long been an issue, often influenced by socioeconomic status, race, and geographical location.
The welfare state aims to reduce these inequalities, but the effectiveness and approach can change with different political ideologies. For example, during the post-World War II period, there was a significant shift towards a more collectivist approach to healthcare, embodied in the establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948.
However, this has evolved over the years. Since the 1980s, a more market-based approach has been adopted under various government administrations, raising questions about the implications of privatization on health inequalities.
I encourage you to think about real-world examples as we go through this. Have you heard of specific healthcare policies or cases that relate to what I'm discussing?
[Pause for responses and discussion]
Thank you for your contributions! It's vital that we link theory to practice to fully understand these complex issues."
"Now, it's time for a group activity. I’d like you to break into small groups of two to four. Each group will receive a case study that examines a specific healthcare policy and its impact on health inequality.
Please take about 20 minutes to analyse the case study, discussing the implications and the ideological context surrounding it. Once you've finished, I want each group to prepare a brief summary of your discussion to share with the class.
I’ll walk around as you work to provide any assistance you might need. Let's get started!"
"Alright, everyone, it’s time for a quick break! Stand up and stretch. For the next 10 minutes, let’s engage in some light physical activity to refresh our minds.
[Demonstrate stretches or simple exercises.]
Great job! I hope you’re feeling a bit more energized. Let’s regroup for the next part of our lesson."
"Welcome back! I hope you’ve all had a chance to recharge. Now, I would like each group to share the key points of your discussions.
Let’s start with Group 1. What case study did you analyse, and what were your findings?
[Allow each group to share their points. Facilitate discussion as they present.]
Thank you for sharing! It’s evident that these policies have significant implications on health inequalities in our society. Are there any questions that arose from your discussions?
[Pause for questions and answers.]
Fantastic engagement! Let’s carry these discussions forward into our next steps."
"For your homework, I’d like you to reflect on today’s discussions and write a short essay linking the ideological context of the welfare state with a current issue in healthcare you find significant.
Make sure to define the key terms we've discussed and provide examples. This will help solidify your understanding. The essay is due next week. If you have any questions about it, please ask me now or come to my office hours."
"To wrap up our session today, we’ve covered a lot of ground. We explored the origins of health inequalities, how different political ideologies impact healthcare delivery, and the ongoing discussion about inequality within the healthcare system.
Before we finish, does anyone have any remaining questions?
[Allow for questions and provide answers.]
Thank you for your engagement today! I hope you feel more equipped to think critically about these issues. Remember to take a look at the additional resources I’ve provided for further reading. See you all next week!"
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A classroom setting with students} | - Welcome to Sociology class! - Topic: Understanding Society: the ideological context and aims of the welfare state - Objectives: health inequalities, political ideologies, ongoing inequality |
| 2 | {Image: A stack of homework assignments} | - Homework check from last week - Specific feedback will be given individually - Encourage questions about homework during office hours |
| 3 | {Image: An infographic of health inequalities} | - Lecture on health inequalities - Origins influenced by socioeconomic status, race, geographical location - The welfare state's role in reducing inequalities |
| 4 | {Image: Historical photo of the NHS establishment} | - Post-World War II shift towards collectivism - Establishment of the NHS in 1948 - Evolution of healthcare approaches since the 1980s towards market-based systems |
| 5 | {Image: Examples of healthcare policies} | - Discussion of real-world healthcare policies - Link theory to practice - Invite student examples of relevant policies |
| 6 | {Image: Students working in groups} | - Group activity: Analyze a specific healthcare policy case study - Group size: 2 to 4 - Prepare a summary to share with the class |
| 7 | {Image: Students stretching in a classroom} | - Break and physical activity - Engage in light physical activity - Stretch to refresh minds |
| 8 | {Image: Group discussion in progress} | - Full class discussion - Groups share key points from discussions - Facilitate engagement and questions |
| 9 | {Image: A question mark symbol} | - Encourage questions from the discussion - Address any lingering questions - Highlight the importance of the implications of policies on health inequalities |
| 10 | {Image: A student writing an essay} | - Assign homework: Reflective essay - Link ideological context with a current healthcare issue - Define key terms and provide examples |
| 11 | {Image: Clock indicating due date} | - Homework details - Essay is due next week - Encourage questions on the assignment |
| 12 | {Image: A summary of key points} | - Conclusion of the session - Recap: origins of health inequalities, political ideologies impacting healthcare - Ongoing discussion of inequality |
| 13 | {Image: A hand raising in class} | - Final Q&A session - Invite remaining questions - Thank students for their engagement |
| 14 | {Image: A stack of books for further reading} | - Encourage additional reading - Provide resources for further exploration - Remind about next class |
| 15 | {Image: A calendar marking the next class date} | - Reminder of next class meeting - Thank you, see you all next week! - Invite students to reflect on today’s discussion |
How do you think changes in political ideologies since the 1980s have impacted the way we view health inequalities today?
Can you think of a specific healthcare policy that has been introduced in the UK and discuss its effectiveness in reducing health disparities?
Reflecting on the case studies we discussed, what common themes did you notice regarding the ideological context of the welfare state?
In your opinion, what role does socioeconomic status play in determining access to healthcare services in the UK?
How might the concept of the National Health Service (NHS) evolve in response to ongoing changes in political ideology and market forces?
Let's take a moment to stand up and move,
With simple exercises, we'll find our groove.
A bit of stretching, a bit of play,
To refresh our minds and brighten the day.
### Simple Exercises to Perform
1. **Arm Circles** - Reach up high,
Move your arms like wings, let them fly.
2. **Toe Touches** - Bend down low,
Touch your toes, let the tension go.
3. **Side Stretches** - Reach to the sky,
Lean to one side, then let the other fly.
4. **Jumping Jacks** - Let's get our heart rate in the zone,
Jump and clap, moving in tone.
5. **High Knees** - March in place with knees so high,
Pump your arms, give it a try.
6. **Shoulder Shrugs** - Lift those shoulders, then let them fall,
Relax your body, it’s good for us all.
7. **Walking on the Spot** - Take a step here and there,
Swing your arms, feel light as air.
8. **Wrist and Ankle Rolls** - Roll them slow, one at a time,
Keep your joints loose, feel so sublime.
9. **Deep Breaths** - Inhale slow, let it out wide,
Feel the calm wash over, like the tide.
10. **Final Stretch** - Reach down for your toes one last time,
Stand up tall, everything is fine.
Let's give a cheer for our bodies in motion,
Feeling energized to continue the discussion!