This module encourages students to take an international view of social policy, beyond the nation state, and to develop understanding of the global links and comparisons that can be used to consider welfare in this way.
Introductory lectures and seminars will present the challenges and risks facing contemporary welfare regimes, including neoliberalism, globalisation and financial uncertainty, and the notion of mixed economies of welfare. Another block of learning will provide accounts of comparative approaches to welfare and explore histories and contemporary dynamics of welfare in the US and in mainland Europe. Finally, a series of welfare topics on migration, care, work and citizenship will be introduced in order to explore issues and policy responses within a global framework.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
BSc Social Sciences
BA Criminal Justice and Criminology
Main assessment methods
Coursework (Essay) 3000 words - 50%
Coursework (Policy Analysis Report) 2000 words - 50%
Reassessment methods
Reassessment Instrument: 100% coursework
Baldock, J., Mitton, L., Manning, N., & Vickerstaff, S. (Eds.). (2011). Social Policy. Oxford University Press
Clarke, J. (2004). Changing welfare, changing states: New directions in social policy. Sage
Cochrane, A., Clarke, J., & Gewirtz, S. (Eds.). (2001). Comparing welfare states (Vol. 5). Sage
Farnsworth, K., & Irving, Z. (Eds.). (2015). Social Policy in Times of Austerity: Global Economic Crisis and the New Politics of Welfare. Policy Press.
Lister, R. (2010). Understanding theories and concepts in social policy. Policy Press
Lupton, R., Hills, J., Burchardt, T., Stewart, K., & Vizard, P. (Eds.). (2016). Social Policy in a Cold Climate: Policies and Their Consequences since the Crisis. Policy Press.
Yeates, N., & Holden, C. (2009). The global social policy reader. Policy Press
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Demonstrate critical understanding of the debates, risks and challenges surrounding contemporary welfare provision
8.2 Demonstrate critical understanding of approaches to welfare within different national contexts, as well as comparisons and links between
them
8.3 Apply critical understanding of contemporary welfare debates and approaches to evaluate and analyse international case studies of social
policy and programmes in practice
8.4 Communicate understanding of social policy in global contexts.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Apply a critical understanding of concepts and theories to examine ways to improve practice
9.2 Use methods to interpret and critically analyse primary and secondary data
9.3 Effectively communicate knowledge and ideas.
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