The “social policy” area of concentration addresses global and international dimensions of social policy and social administration. It also covers regional and local social policies and their relationship with international economic and societal developments. It deals with institutional and governance issues, such as economic integration and social welfare, as well as with specific topical areas, such as poverty and social exclusion, health and long-term care or work and income.

The course “Globalisation and Social Policy I”

1. introduces/refreshes basic economic concepts in the design and implementation of social policy,
2. touches on the history, concept and measurement of globalisation and
3. discusses the association between globalization and social policy.

The aim of “Globalisation and Social Policy (Part 1)” is to improve the understanding of key concepts and theories of social policy and social policy analysis in the context of globalisation, including: (a) the institutional, economic and cultural context of social policy, (b) principles of welfare systems and social policies and (c) alternative theoretical approaches to the analysis and the explanation of social problems and of social policies. After attending this course, students will be able to

• describe and analyse key concepts of social policy,
• know and understand main theories of welfare systems and social policies,
• outline the institutional context for social policies and social policy development,
• develop an awareness of the broader context for global social challenges,
• know key dimensions and concepts of globalization
• identify key challenges of globalisation for social policy and the impact social policy has on globalisation,
• articulate and compare alternative approaches to social policy analysis, and
• apply alternative theories and concepts to specific problem sets.

Didactic lectures will be combined with interactive lectures. Class discussion and group work will provide further opportunities to engage in class participation.

Students will be expected to produce seminar papers, prepare brief presentations based on reading assignments, and take a quiz on foundational concepts of social policy.

assessments (relative weights in the final grade): 

• active participation in plenary and group discussions (10%)
• stat/ newsclip/ quote of the week (teams of 2 students)  (10%)
• policy analysis exercise (teams of 3-4 students) (25%)
• 30-minute-presentation (teams of 3-4 students) (25%)
• individual seminar paper (30%)

Deadline for submission of the individual term paper: 12 June (23:55)

Grades (point ranges)

• 1: Excellent (90-100 points)
• 2: Good (75-89 points)
• 3: Satisfactory (60-74 points)
• 4: Sufficient (50-59 points)
• 5: Fail (0-49 points)

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Foundations of social policy (universal versus targeted benefits, risk and (social) insurance, asymmetric information, adverse selection, social justice, conceps of poverty, and inequality, welfare state typologies).

A single-choice test on foundational concepts will be taken after self-study of relevant concepts.

During breaks and after class.

For scheduling an appointment please send an email to:
ulrike.schneider@wu.ac.at