Undergraduate Course: European Social Policy (SCPL08006)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The development of European welfare states in comparative perspective; expenditure trends, reasons for distinctive structures, and the relation between public, private and informal sectors. Challenges resulting from globalisation and demographic changes. The social policy activities of the European Union; its structures, processes and competences, the attempts by the Commission to extend its role, particular initiatives including those on poverty and equal opportunities. Developments resulting from the recent economic crisis and from Brexit. |
| Course description |
This course has two parts: firstly, it aims to provide an understanding of the way the welfare state has developed in different European countries and of the dynamics and impacts of recent attempts to adapt social policies in the light of contemporary challenges; secondly, it examines the significance of the 'social dimension' for the European Union and the future of social policy in an enlarged Europe. The course is team taught, with different staff members in Social Policy teaching on their areas of expertise. Weekly tutorials complement the lectures to discuss topics and key concepts on the basis of core readings. Tutorial readings are supplemented with an extensive reading list in the course handbook to aid self-guided learning and the preparation of assignments.
Recommended introductory texts:
Mel Cousins (2005) European Welfare States. Comparative Perspectives, London: Sage.
Karen Anderson (2015) Social Policy in the European Union, London: Palgrave (3rd edition).
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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 | Visiting students should usually have at least 1 introductory level Social Policy course at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Systematically compare social policy arrangements across European countries
- Critically assess the models used to classify European welfare states
- Identify and evaluate the challenges facing mature social protection systems
- Understand the contemporary influence of European law and policy on domestic welfare states
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Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ingela Naumann
Tel: (0131 6)51 3869
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Grace Oliver
Tel:
Email: |
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