After completion of this course, students will be able to

• discuss the institutional and socio-economic context for particular social challenges,
• articulate alternative approaches to analysing these challenges,
• apply alternative theories and concepts to specific analytical questions,
• apply methods from the first year of the Master Program in these analytical tasks,
• draw policy conclusions from the analysis.

 In addition, students will have

• the know-how to obtain and analyze information which will aid decision making,
• the ability to conduct a strategic analysis in a global or international setting,
• the ability to take a multi-disciplinary approach to the application of analytical templates and other techniques,
• extensive experience in working in multi-cultural teams.

This being a ‘Course with continuous Assessment (PI)’, the university requires students to attend at least 80% of all classes for completing the course successfully. This means that you can miss a maximum of three sessions during the whole semester. Ideally you don’t miss any classes.

The course is based on (a)an introductory discussion of readings and lectures and (b) students’ work on selected case studies. Groups of students will work on selected topics towards (i) a final paper in the format of a scientific article and (ii) an output addressing the broader public, the media or specific stakeholder groups ("going public" project). Apart from regular active participation in class and in group discussions, students are required to work in international teams, to provide presentations on their work and to deliver written papers.

• Readings
• Lectures
• Class discussion
• Case analysis

o final group report in scientific paper format (40%)

o going public project (20%)

o intermediate Report and draft papers (10%)
o group presentations (15%)

o individual peer review of draft paper and active participation in discussions (15%)

Globalisation and Social Policy I

Prerequisites for Incoming Exchange Studentsnominated by WU partner universities:

Minimum requirements to attend this course:

•    Economics (accumulated minimum of 16 ECTS credits) OR

•    Social sciences(accumulated minimum of 16 ECTS credits) OR

•    Mathematics / statistics /quantitative methods (accumulated minimum of 16 ECTS credits)

Proficiency in English is required. If you do not meet this requirement, we reserve the right to withdraw students from the course.