Postgraduate Course: Global and International Social Policy (SCPL11021)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Traditionally nation states were perceived to be the pre-eminent actors shaping social policy and the distribution of resources and life-chances. Increasingly however international organisations have become important actors in the generation, championing and dissemination of policy żbest practiceż and the prescribing of social policy reforms for high and middle income countries. In the former many mature welfare states are under pressure to reform services to fit with more austere socio-economic times. In the latter the rapid economic growth experienced by countries such as India, China and Brazil has created new demands and opportunities to create innovative social protection and welfare services.
This course provides an critical introduction to the theories, concepts and debates in global social policy to equip students to critically examine the interplay between international institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the OECD and national governments, business and other non-state actors in shaping specific policy sub-sectors (social security; employment; family; health; education) in different national contexts. The course is international and comparative in orientation with a particular focus on policy developments in high and middle income countries in Asia, the Americas and Australasia.
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| Course description |
The course provides an introduction to the roles of international governmental organisations, national governments and non-state actors in social policymaking and the common and distinct socio-economic and political pressures driving and constraining reform in high and middle income countries. Traditionally nation states were perceived to be the pre-eminent actors shaping social policy and the distribution of resources and life-chances. Increasingly however international organisations have become important actors in the generation, championing and dissemination of policy best practice and the prescribing of social policy reforms for high and middle income countries. In the former many mature welfare states are under pressure to reform services to fit with more austere socio-economic times. In the latter the rapid economic growth experienced by countries such as India, China and Brazil has created new demands and opportunities to create innovative social protection and welfare services.
This course provides an critical introduction to the theories, concepts and debates in global social policy to equip students to critically examine the interplay between international institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the OECD and national governments, business and other non-state actors in shaping specific policy sub-sectors (social security; employment; family; health; education) in different national contexts. The course is international and comparative in orientation with a particular focus on policy developments in high and middle income countries in Asia, the Americas and Australasia.
This course will help students develop the ability to;
- Critically analyse and synthesise complex policy evidence and debates
- Communicate this information to academic and non-academic, but informed policy aware audiences.
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and debates in global social policy.
2. Critically analyse the role of actors, structures, institutions and discourses in the diagnosis of policy challenges and formulation of responses in key social policy sub-sectors.
3. Apply critical analysis to evaluate and synthesise evidence on policy problems and programmes in high and middle income countries.
4. Communicate complex policy debates in the style of a policy briefing paper produced by organisations such as the OECD and WHO.
Outline content
1. The globalising of social policy
2. Exploring varieties of welfare states: in and beyond the OECD
3. Global social security and labour market policy in the making? The Social Protection Floor and 'Decent Work'.
4. Conditional Cash Transfers
5. Social Assistance policy in China
6. Job Guarantee programmes: India and Argentina
7. Beyond market and state: the solidarity economy and mutual aid
8. Education policy in a global context
9. Global health policy
10. Global and/or regional social policy futures?
The course is taught through lectures and seminars. The latter includes a mix of group presentations and whole class discussion to provide an in depth focus on key texts and encourage the exchange of views and experience as we critically explore core concepts and theories associated with the global rescaling of social policy. The class is open to students with disciplinary backgrounds in the social sciences, humanities and natural sciences.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 20 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment consists of two separate pieces of coursework: a 1000 word policy brief (25% of final mark) and a 3000 word policy brief (75% of final mark). |
| Feedback |
The short policy brief provides an opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with the task of writing 'policy briefs' on a specific topic e.g. decent work and gain early feedback during the course. For the second assessment students have the opportunity to write a policy brief on one of the substantive topics covered in weeks 1-11 focusing on one or more high or middle income countries. Prior to submission of the first piece of assessed work a portion of the tutorial will be given over to clarifying requirements of the policy brief with the convenor providing a draft 'template' and examples of policy briefs from organisations such as the OECD and WHO.
The deadline for the short policy brief is set for early within the course so that the course convenor can provide timely and individual feedback addressing what students did well/ or less well ahead of the submission of the long policy brief. Students are invited to arrange a meeting with the course convenor in the week following the return of marks for the first assignment to discuss their performance. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and debates in global social policy.
- Critically analyse the role of actors, structures, institutions and discourses in the diagnosis of policy challenges and formulation of responses in key social policy sub-sectors.
- Apply critical analysis to evaluate and synthesise evidence on policy problems and programmes in high and middle income countries.
- Communicate complex policy debates in the style of a policy briefing paper produced by organisations such as the OECD and WHO.
- Communicate effectively with peers and specialist academic staff about the topic of global social policy.
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Reading List
Core texts
Yeates, N. (2014) Understanding Global Social Policy, 2nd edition, Policy Press: Bristol.
Kaasch, A. & Stubbs, P. (eds.) (2014) Transformations in global and regional social policies, Palgrave Macmillan.
Additional
Deacon, B. (2013) Global social policy in the making: The foundations of the social protection floor, Policy Press: Bristol
Surender, R. & Walker, R. (2013) (eds.) Social Policy in A Developing World, Edward Elgar.
Midgley, J. (2014) Social Development: theory and practice, SAGE Publications.
Yeates, N. & Holden, C. (eds.) (2009) The global social policy reader, Policy Press: Bristol
Journals
Global Social Policy
Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Jay Wiggan
Tel: (0131 6)50 3939
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Nicole Develing-Bogdan
Tel: (0131 6)51 5067
Email: |
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