The course provides a framework for understanding, reviewing and critical analysis of alternative approaches to the study and the practice of social policy. After attending this course, students will be able to:

• outline and apply the conceptual foundations of social policy
• understand fundamental design principles of social security systems,
• identify alternative welfare state models,
• characterise social policies in selected countries,
• analyse and discuss social policy approaches against the background of major economic and social policy objectives,
• understand and discuss academic social policy papers. 

In addition, students will:

• gain practice and improve their skills in writing, presenting and discussing their ideas.

This being a ‘course with continuous assessment (PI)’, the University requires students to attend at least 80% of the time of the scheduled course units for completing the course successfully. Ideally you attend all units fully. If you are unable to fully attend a unit, please let the Lecturer(s) know in advance. In case online units are scheduled, the same attendance requirements apply.

Notice of Special Regulation for Covid-19: If a student is required to quarantine, or is otherwise prevented from attending class, due to a certified case of Covid-19 infection or a federally mandated Covid-19 lockdown, and this affects either attendance or the completion of an exam or other required course assignment, the course instructor is empowered to provide an alternative means for said student to meet the attendance/assessment requirement as necessary. The same means will be required of any student in the same situation in this course.

Students with symptoms or other suspicions of Covid should contact this office (potential-covid@wu.ac.at). If given permission to stay home they must show official proof (e.g. forward the email) to the course instructors. Students must contact the potential Covid office if they believe they have symptoms. They cannot just decide to not attend class without this official permission (this would count as non-attendance).

Assessment (relative weights in the final grade): 

• active participation during online units: 10%
  (engaging in Q&A, completing and presenting in-class assigments)
• written test (single-choice test): 20%
• group project: 35%
• response paper ("reaction paper") related to a social policy reading (individual): 35%

Grade Key (point ranges)

• 1: Excellent (90-100 points)
• 2: Good (80-89 points)
• 3: Satisfactory (65-79 points)
• 4: Sufficient (50-64 points)
• 5: Fail (0-49 points)