Social Policies in Europe

22B0425

Bachelor

English

5.0

winter- and summerterm

1 semester

This seminar deals with a wide range of international social policy issues including ageing, pensions and social security, poverty and social exclusion, education, training and labor market policies, family policies, health and social care services, gender, migration, privatization and Europeanisation.
However, European welfare states differ deeply in the paths chosen to adjust their social security systems in order to find solutions for present and future challenges. In the seminar we analyze the different starting points of European welfare states in comparison given by very different welfare state ideas and models. The seminar invites students to think about reform steps for adjusting European welfare states to a just and sustainable future.

1. European Origins of the Welfare State
2. Diversity of European Welfare Models (Main institutions and policies)
3. Three Worlds or more (a discussion of Esping-Andersen´s theories)?
4. Does Europe play a role? European Social Policy until the late 1990s and political majorities in the EU
5. The electoral responses to negative integration
6. The crises of the European Welfare States – Recent changes and developments
7. Diversity of vulnerabilities and responses
8. Pension policies/Healthcare policies/Employment policies/Family and reconciliation policies/Migration policies.

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Homework / Assignment or
• Oral presentation, with written elaboration or
• Portfolio exam

The portfolio examination comprises 100 points and is made up of the examination elements presentation (PR) and term paper (HA), each weighted with 50 points

Oral Presentation: approx. 15 minutes, seminar paper: approx. 15 pages

Homework: approx. 15 pages

Term paper as part of the portfolio exam: approx. 15 pages

Presentation as part oft he portfolie exam: approx. 15 minutes

The requirements are specified in the respective concrete event.

Theories of Social Exclusion and Inclusion

The students learn about the common roots of National Welfare States and how these states responded historically to the same challenges.

The students have a clear idea of the diversity of European social policies, of their relevant political backgrounds and about current welfare reforms in their specific context. 

Students identify and understand…

• differences between the European welfare state ideas and models
• the basis of social inequality, unemployment, housing shortages, old-age and poverty in the context of different social policies
• the effects of privatization in pension schemes and health care.

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to argue about the constraints and opportunities of european sociale policies.
Students will be able to

• reflect on what measures are needed to combat unemployment and inequality
• reflect on refom steps to adapt European welfare states to a sustainable future.

The students will be able to apply a systematic theoretical framework in critically analysing and evaluating the different factors that impact on the social policies of different European countries, with a particular focus on special fields like migration, drug related policies, crime-related policies and to the question of equality/liberty-related policies.

Students who have successfully studied this module are able to derive attitudinal and action-orientated requirements for social and pedagogical work from basic theoretical explanations and empirical findings, in order to develop action-based approaches that are both inclusive and conscious for social inequalities. 

Students will be able to explain the constraints and opportunities of a European social policy.

The students are able to question specific concepts of social policy and nation building and can reflect on the implications for social work and pedagogical practice. 

Modules: „Child Protection“, „Diversity and Inclusion”

• Social Work, B.A.

• Radewagen, Christof

• Radewagen, Christof