module specification

SS6082 - Comparative and Global Social Policy (2023/24)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2023/24
Module title Comparative and Global Social Policy
Module level Honours (06)
Credit rating for module 15
School School of Social Sciences and Professions
Total study hours 150
 
42 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
72 hours Guided independent study
36 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 100%   Coursework 3000 words
Running in 2023/24

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Spring semester North Tuesday Morning

Module summary

This module focuses on different welfare state regimes/clusters, with emphasis on the relationship between the four pillars of welfare provision. It also provides the student with knowledge in how to make international social policy comparisons. It also focuses on the broader political, social and economic context in which social policy is constructed and implemented.

Prior learning requirements

All L4 modules completed, and at least 90 credits on L5 completed

Available for Study Abroad? YES

Syllabus

This module will focus on the following key subjects:

  • Comparative social policy - what do we compare and why?
  • Welfare regimes - what are these?
  • Welfare regimes according to Esping-Andersen (1990)
  • Non-European welfare regimes
  • Non-Western welfare regimes

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Delivery of this module is through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies and workshops allowing students to be actively involved in the learning process and develop their own learning style. The lecture programme provides the underpinning theoretical foundation in the subject area and thinking skills are developed through complementary activities including case studies, workshops, seminars and tutorials. Students are expected to complement formal teaching with self-directed reading and completion of specified assignments. The module will also promote the student’s self-management and a reflective approach to their learning.

This module will be supported with relevant WebLearn pages where all lecture and workshop notes, relevant literature, and other sources will be available. All sessions will be recorded with Panopto and will be available to students.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module students will:

  1. Be able to apply different models of welfare regimes to the analysis of social policies in comparative perspective
  2. Have a critical understanding of key measurements in comparative social policy analysis
  3. Be able to demonstrate understanding of path dependencies as well as convergences or divergences in national policies in two selected welfare regimes
  4. Have a developed ability to present a case study efficiently

Assessment strategy

An essay (2500 words) to be submitted in week 13 will assess the students’ understanding of welfare regime modelling in relation to social policies in comparative context. Students will be asked to compare and contrast the welfare regimes and analyse how far these regime types have or have not showed convergence or path dependency. It will have 100% weighting.

Bibliography