General description

The course focuses on the substantial similarities and differences between various principles, objectives, responsibilities, processes and actors within European society in respect to European integration and social policy making. This course introduces students to work at an enhanced level with terminologies, definitions, institutions and processes in present European society. Students learn about the European core values, their significance and their implementation.
Secondly, students gain profound insight into the different objectives of European integration and get familiar with its history, the present situation and the future perspectives of the European Social Model. Various questions about the dynamics, the challenges, the obstacles and the processes of European integration related to social policy issues and social policy making are highlighted. The interplay between the European and national level as well as the pros and cons of different welfare state regimes are discussed.
At the end of the course students are able to understand the role and responsibilities of European institutions (EU, Council of Europe, UNECE) and other main actors in social policy conception and implementation.

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to qualify the students to work at a comparative level with theoretical, ideological and historical issues of the European Social Model. The courses’ aim is to enable students to critically reflect and to enhance students’ practical skills in the knowledge of the European Social Model, its values, objectives and strategies. Students learn about the substantial similarities and differences between various principles, objectives, responsibilities, processes and actors within European society at different levels – in particular the national and the European level as well as the interrelationship between these.
Students will be equipped with skills necessary for advanced research of welfare systems:
- Terminology, principles, definitions, institutions and processes in present European integration strategies
- Introduction to, definition and implementation of European core values
- The different objectives of European integration (political, economic, social)
- History, present and perspectives of European integration
- Various dynamics, challenges and processes of European integration related to social policy issues
- Understanding the role, competences and responsibilities of European institutions (EU, Council of Europe, UNECE) and other main actors, like the market and civil society.

Contents

Extension insight in the terminology, definitions, institutions and processes of European welfare state regimes; comparative research in origins, development, history and perspectives of the different welfare states; processes, dynamics and actors.

Teaching methods

Introductory course at the beginning of the semester, then the use of methods of distance learning: Audio and video Lectures, discussion boards and individual tutoring, supported by Moodle.

Teaching language

English

Evaluation and evaluation criteria

Numeric 1-5.
Assessment: 70% paper & 30% active participation. Paper: preparation of a research seminar paper (20.000 signs) in one of the areas covered in the course. Active participation: participation of the students in the discussions and debate during seminar and the distance learning.

Recommended year of study

1. year spring

Study materials

Reading list will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Belongs to following study modules