Unit information: Comparative Social Policy in a Globalizing World in 2013/14

Unit name	Comparative Social Policy in a Globalizing World
Unit code	SPOL30048
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Kennett
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will develop students' understanding of the potential and limitations of social research involving more than one country in a world that is increasingly interconnected. As well as exploring the methodological challenges and theoretical perspectives associated with cross-national analysis this unit will investigate the meanings applied to the concept of globalisation and the processes which have contributed to this phenomenon. It will also highlight the contradictions of an Informational Age and consider emerging patterns of social differentiation and fragmentation. This unit will extend students' knowledge of the implication of these processes for social policy, particularly in the context of the changing role of the nation state and the emergence of supranational governance.

Aims:

This unit aims to provide students with a knowledge of the processes and impact of globalization and and how to understand and analyse social policy in an increasingly interconnected world. It aims to provide an insight into theoretical debates associated with globalization and the welfare state and into particular substantive policy areas such as poverty and citizenship.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be:

• Familiar with the multi-dimensional features of globalization and their implications for social policy;

• Able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of carrying out cross-national analysis;

• Aware of the dynamics of multi-level governance and the policy making process

• Able to critically assess the relationship between processes of globalization and uneven development.

Teaching Information

12 lectures and 12 seminars

Assessment Information

Assessment will be against the programme criteria defined for the appropriate level.

Formative assessment: One 2000-2500 word essay

Summative assessment : Level H - 3 hour unseen exam

Reading and References

KENNETT, P (2001) COMPARATIVE SOCIAL POLICY: THEORY AND RESEARCH: OPEN UNIVERSITY PRESS.

HELD, D. & A. MCGREW (EDS) (2000) THE GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION READER: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GLOBALIZATION DEBATE: POLITY PRESS.

KENNETT, P. (2004) A HANDBOOK OF COMPARATIVE SOCIAL POLICY. EDWARD ELGAR