Postgraduate Course: European Social Policy (PGSP11203)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course introduces key welfare state theories and empirical developments of and challenges to contemporary European welfare states. The first course aim is to provide an understanding of why welfare states emerged in Europe, how welfare states have been restructured and how welfare states are organised in selected European countries. We particularly address how we can make sense of the variations in national welfare state design and the wider political economy. A second focus deals with the main challenges that all European welfare states are currently facing, most notably demographic and economic changes. The third section moves the focus to the European Union level - what are EU competences in social policy, how is social policy made at EU level, how has this changed over time and what future is there for a 'European Social Model' in the context of the Eurozone crisis, changing EU membership and different scenarios for the future EU? |
| Course description |
The course aims at providing an understanding of the emergence, development, current pressures on and reform of national welfare state systems in Europe. It also examines the role of the European Union in the regulation and provision of social policy in contemporary Europe. The course is primarily designed as a unit for MSc students in the School of Social and Political Science, but may also be of interest to students working at a similar level in other parts of the University.
This course looks at theories of welfare state emergence, differentiation into specific welfare state types and subsequent development including latest reform efforts in various European countries. It critically engages with the challenges posed by economic and demographic change for the welfare state and the varying responses by different welfare states to these challenges. It also scrutinises the role of the European Union in adding a 'social dimension' to European integration and the problems related to promoting common social policies across its (growing number of) member states. Finally, it critically discusses current challenges that all European welfare states face. Specific emphasis is given to EU policies since the Euro crisis which affected member states¿ social and labour market policies as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each session will consist of a lecture element and an exercise or student presentation and discussion element. Students are expected to participate regularly and actively in seminar discussions, to read the set texts for each meeting and to complete the course exercises.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
| To critically evaluate current EU policies in the context of recent challenges such as the Euro crisis, Brexit or Covid-19 and their likely implications for the future of social policy in the EU.
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Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Elke Heins
Tel: (0131 6)50 4049
Email: Elke.Heins@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Casey Behringer
Tel: (0131 6)50 2456
Email: Casey.behringer@ed.ac.uk |
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