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SP52092: Comparative public policy and social welfare: cross-national, European and global perspectives

[Page last updated: 15 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (CWES 100% - Qualifying Mark: 50)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit you will have a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the main theoretical explanations of welfare state and public policy developments in a variety of countries, in Europe and globally; a sound knowledge of the social, political and economic characteristics of a range of national regimes and how they affect the production and distribution of societal welfare; a detailed knowledge of one policy area in at least two countries, including characteristics of policy development, pressures for change, and existing policy outcomes; a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the main theories explaining the pressures for, causes and consequences of welfare state reform; and a critical understanding of the cross-national variation in definitions and measurement of policy objectives and outcomes.


Synopsis: Learn about the dynamics of social policy development. You'll explore: - how public policy affects social welfare inhigh, middle, and low-income countries - how European and global institutional contexts frame the production and distribution of social welfare - key questions arising from social policy, and how theyre understood and addressed in different national, regional, and international institutional domains - theories of the causes, dynamics and consequences of welfare state reform

Content: The unit will be taught partly by lectures but mainly in a seminar/reading group format. You will be set required reading for each session and practical exercises in evaluating evidence for policy purposes, hence the relatively high proportion of time devoted to private study. The content will include the following: Part I - Theorising comparative public policy and the global production of welfare 1. Comparing the production societal welfare: states, markets, families 2. Comparing the politics and governance of social welfare (including policy learning and policy convergence) 3. Theorising the International and Global aspects of social welfare Part II - Exploring Public Policy and Social Welfare across the World 4. Social welfare in high-income countries 5. Social welfare in middle income countries 6. Social Welfare in lower income countries 7. European Social policy 8. Global social policy Part III - Comparing key social and public policies 9. Family - Retirement - Employment 10. Healthcare - Migration - Sustainable social policy & climate change

Course availability:

SP52092 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

SP52092 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.