Bachelor
2024/2025
Social Policy
Type:
Elective course
Area of studies:
Public Policy and Social Sciences
Delivered by:
Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
When:
4 year, 1-3 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course provides the introduction to the subject of social policy in theory as well as in practice via case studies on Russia and other countries. Starting with the definition of social policy, the history of welfare states and their typologies (regimes) are examined. The concepts of poverty and inequality continue this course. At the second half of the course, social policy for specific groups of population – families with children, disabled people, retirees, migrants - is analysed. The last topic of the course presents the impact of different challenges and crises on welfare states and social policy and their changes in response to these challenges.
Learning Objectives
- Examine the history of welfare states and approaches to their typologies
- Explore concepts of poverty and poverty and inequality, their measures and factors
- Provide on overview of social policy related to socio-demographic groups of population: families with children, disabled people, retirees, migrants
- Examine the structure and types of pension systems
- Analyze the impact of demographic and economic challenges on social policy and modern welfare states
- Explore the development of welfare states and social policies in the periods of crisis
- Develop critical skills to evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of social policy measures
Expected Learning Outcomes
- To distinguishe differences in welfare state regimes and social policy in different countries
- To analyse poverty and inequality measures and makes a conclusion based on these measures
- To study the concepts of social inequalities and lifecourse inequalities and can explain what factors contribute to the rise of inequality
- To provide the main types of social policy measures related to socio-demographic groups of population: families with children, disabled people, retirees, migrants
- To distinguishe key features of pension systems of different countries
- To explain what are the impacts of population ageing, migration and transformation of employment on social policy and modern welfare states
- To evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of social policy measures
Course Contents
- The subject of social policy
- The concept of welfare state. The history of welfare state regimes. Welfare state typologies
- Poverty and inequality
- Social inequality. Life course inequality
- Social policy for children and families
- Disability. Social inclusion. Long-term care
- Population ageing and social policy for older generation
- Pension systems and pension reforms
- Migration and migration policy
- The impact of crises: global financial crisis, recession, COVID-19 pandemic
Assessment Elements
- Active ParticipationActive participation in lectures and seminars include general discussion on course topics, answers to questions, problem solving, etc. Every answer or comment is fixed. By the end of the course the sum of answers and comments is calculated. It is normalized by the scale 0-10.
- Midterm testIn-class paper midterm test will be held on the 5th seminar covering topics of introduction, welfare states, poverty, economic, social and life-course inequality. The test will include 20-25 multiple choice questions.
- Paper reviewPaper review is a 10-minute review of scientific article about the effectiveness of any social policy measure for poverty/inequality reduction, employment growth, fertility growth, well-being, etc. Students should describe (1) what measure is analysed, (2) what methods are applied, (3) what data are used as well as (4) talk about study limitations and (5) provide a conclusion. Students may add personal opinions about the appropriateness of data and methods applied in the chosen article and evaluate overall paper quality.
- Presentation on case studyPresentation on case study is 10 minutes presentation about any group of population (ex., children, families with children, elderly, disabled people, single mothers, etc.) in any country. Students need to choose any country and any group of population. The case study analysis and presentation should include (1) the number and share of this group in total population, (2) socio-demographic profile, (3) what social policy measures exist for this group of population and their adequacy, (4) economic context of the selected country and any other information useful to the analysis of policy measures.
- Final examThere will be an obligatory oral exam taken on the exam week. The list comprised of 30 questions will be sent by the instructor one month before the Final exam date. Each student will get two questions based on the course content, will have 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to answer. The instructor, if needed, may ask additional questions concerning other topics of the course.
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 3rd module0.1 * Active Participation + 0.3 * Final exam + 0.2 * Midterm test + 0.2 * Paper review + 0.2 * Presentation on case study
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Living standards analytics : development through the lens of household survey data, Haughton, D., 2011
- The economics of the welfare state, Barr, N., 1998
- The three worlds of welfare capitalism, Esping-Andersen, G., 1996
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- The welfare state in the European Union : economic and social perspectives, Pestieau, P., 2006