Unit name | Comparative and International Social Policy |
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Unit code | SPOL10014 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Lendvai-Bainton |
Open unit status | Open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will begin by considering the relevance of comparative, cross-national social policy analysis in a globalizing world. It will also address key conceptual and methodological concerns, and consider various explanations for the development of welfare systems cross-nationally. The next section of the unit will focus on welfare systems in specific parts of the world: Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and developing countries. These country-specific sections will adopt a common framework and will: provide a general introduction to the social, political and economic contexts of the countries concerned; outline and examine the welfare systems; consider the nature of social division; and consider future policy challenges and possible responses. The unit will conclude by integrating the initial discussion on concepts, methods and theories with the empirically grounded, country-specific case studies. Aims: This unit will introduce students to the challenges and opportunities of exploring and understanding social policy in more than one country. It will familiarize students with welfare systems in different national contexts, the nature of social division and the challenges facing these specific welfare systems. This unit will critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of the various explanatory frameworks applied to comparative welfare systems and will highlight some general issues associated with carrying out comparative cross-national analysis.
By the end of the unit students should:
Lectures and seminars.
Assessment will be against the programme criteria defined for the appropriate level.
Formative assessment: A timed (50 minutes) essay
Summative assessment : 2 hour unseen exam