Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
SP30012 European social policy: a comparative approach |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW90OT10 |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take SP10001 and take SP10002 |
|
Aims:
* To introduce the concept of 'welfare regimes' as a means to compare social; * policies in different European countries; * To introduce the different policies which make up 'welfare regimes' in Europe; * To explore the different principles which underpin the variety of policies in Europe; * To explain the similarities and differences between welfare regimes and policy approaches; * To identify the ways in which these similarities and differences can be evaluated; * To explain the challenges faced by different welfare states in Europe; * To outline the theories adopted to explain the pattern of recent and contemporary policy reforms; * To explain the role of the EU in shaping the development of social policies in European countries. By the end of the unit, the students will have: * An in-depth knowledge of the welfare states of at least two European welfare states, and reasonable knowledge of several others; * A critical understanding of the concept of welfare regime and knowledge of its application to European countries; * Studied the variety of ways in which social policies can be compared and evaluated; * Explored the challenges faced by different welfare states in Europe; * Explored the ways in which recent policy reforms have been theorised; * Studied the impact of the EU on social policy developments; * Used both literature and secondary data in order to evaluate policy developments in two European countries. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, students should be able to: * compare, analyse and evaluate the similarities and differences between these welfare systems; * compare, analyse and evaluate the similarities and differences between policies addressing similar issues or social groups; * analyse and evaluate the varied challenges facing welfare systems in Europe, and the responses to these challenges. Skills: * To think creatively and analytically; * To communicate an argument; * To evaluate others' arguments and research; * To learn independently and be able to assess own learning needs (i.e. identify strengths and improve weaknesses in methods of learning and studying); * To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information; * To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.); * To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge; * To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding; * To utilise problem solving skills; * To analyse and evaluate innovative practices in students' relevant degree discipline; * To effectively and efficiently apply principles of sociological/social policy analysis within a variety of environments; * To develop study & learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing); * To develop basic information and computing technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information); * To develop report writing skills; * To be able to construct a bibliography of varying complexity; * To develop time-management and administrative skills. Content: The unit adopts two approaches to the material. In the first part, it examines in depth the development of social polices in specific countries which represent different 'welfare regimes': Germany, Sweden, Italy and Russia/Central Europe. Second, it then compares specific policy areas across these countries, such as pensions and health services. The module concludes by considering the impact of the EU on different policies. |