European Social Policies

Recommended Prerequisites

n.a.

Teaching Methods

The lectures will combine the expository method about the subjects of the syllabus with participatory methods that stimulate an autonomous work by the students and the development of their analytical, communicational and teamwork skills. To this end students are encouraged to reflect on the presence of the themes of this curricular unit in the media and should develop and present a group work where they mobilize their learning for the analysis of themes and challenges of European social policy. We may invite experts about these themes.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the debates on European integration, the policies, institutions and actors of the European governance of social policies and how it influences national policies.
Students should be aware of the evolution of European governance of social policies and able to relate it to the qualitative changes of the welfare state. They should identify the internal variety of the European social model and understand the interaction between European social policies and national welfare models. They should develop skills to mobilize sources of quantitative and qualitative information to reflect critically on the current challenges to the European social model.
Generally, the aim is to develop analytical and comunicational competences related to the field of European social policies and their current challenges as well as students' capacity for argumentation and collaboration.

 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The Welfare State and Social Policies
What are social policies? Are there European social policies?
The analysis of social policy: between theory and practice
From policies to indicators
From the welfare state to the social investment state
Welfare pluralism and the third sector

2. The social dimension of European integration
The institutional landmarks of the European Social Model
Transformations and Challenges in the European Social Model
The governance of European social policy
European Citizenship and the European Pillar of Social Rights
The Europeanization of social policies

3. Variety in the European Social Model
Social Policies and Social Protection Regimes
Varieties of welfare mixes
Welfare State in the different welfare regimes

4. Old and new themes and challenges for European Social Policy

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 20.0%
Mini Tests: 30.0%
Research work: 50.0%

Bibliography

Béland, D., Morgan, K.J., Obinger, H. and Pierson, C. (eds) (2022), The Oxford Handbook of the Welfare State. Oxford University Press.
European Commission (2024) SPC annual review of the Social Protection Performance Monitor (SPPM) and developments in social protection policies, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.
Kennett, P. e Lendvai-Bainton, N. (orgs) (2018), Handbook of European Social Policy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Nugent, N., The government and politics of the European Union, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Pierson, C., Castles F.G. e Naumann, I.K. (orgs) (2014),The Welfare State Reader, 3rd edition, Cambridge: Polity Press
Spicker, Paul (2014) Social policy: theory and practice, The Policy Press. 
Schröder, Martin (2013) Integrating Varieties of Capitalism and Welfare State Research. A Unified Typology of Capitalisms. Palgrave MacMillan.
Vanhercke B., Sabato S. and Spasova S. (eds.) (2023) Social policy in the European Union: state of play, ETUI and OSE