Conducted in terms: 2024L, 2025L

Erasmus code: 14.0

ISCED code: 0310

ECTS credits: 4

Language: English

Organized by: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies

Introduction to social and public policy (II) 2100-SPP-L-D2ISPP

https://sites.google.com/uw.edu.pl/social-and-public-policy-2/

I) Reasons for social policy
- needs
- equality, justice and liberty
- where market fails
II) Diversity of social policy
- social policy regimes
- ideologies and resources
- explanations of legacies' diversity: convergences and divergences
III) Social policy instruments
- benefits and services
- universal and targeted provision; universalism and selectivity
- universal measures, social insurance and social assistance
- need and means-testing
- welfare generosity and its measurement
- commodification and de-comodification
- sanctions in welfare provision
- individualization, activation, co-production
- multi-sectoral approach, welfare-mix
- implementation, governance and street-level bureaucracy

Term 2025L:

Course Schedule

Week 1: Introduction to the Course
Overview of course structure, assessment requirements, and key themes.

Module 1: Foundations and Frameworks

Week 2: Capitalism, Citizenship, and Solidarity: Historical Foundations of Social Policy
This topic examines the historical roots of social policy, focusing on the relationship between market capitalism, the rise of the "wage society," and the emergence of concepts like solidarity and social citizenship. We analyse the work of classic thinkers including Polanyi, Durkheim, Titmuss, and Marshall.
Reading: Béland, D. & Mahon, R. (2023). Advanced Introduction to Social Policy. 2nd ed. Edward Elgar Publishing. Chapter 1.

Week 3: Explaining Welfare State Development: Competing Theoretical Perspectives
This topic explores major theories explaining the development and variation of welfare states, including industrialism, national values, power resource theory, business power, and historical institutionalism. We critically assess the strengths and limitations of each approach.
Reading: Béland & Mahon (2023), Chapter 2.

Week 4: Classifying Welfare Regimes: Beyond the "Three Worlds"
We delve into Esping-Andersen's "Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism" typology and its subsequent critiques. We examine alternative classifications, feminist contributions, and the challenges of applying regime theory to the Global South.
Reading: Béland & Mahon (2023), Chapter 3.

Week 5: Taking Ideas Seriously: The Role of Ideas in Social Policy
This topic focuses on the role of ideas in shaping social policy. We examine concepts like problem definition, policy paradigms, framing processes, cultural categories, and knowledge regimes, exploring how they influence policy stability and change.
Reading: Béland & Mahon (2023), Chapter 4.

Week 6: New Social Risks, Social Exclusion, and the Social Investment Perspective
This topic introduces key contemporary concepts in social policy discourse: social exclusion, new social risks (related to post-industrialism), and the social investment perspective. We critically analyse their meanings, applications, and political implications.
Reading: Béland & Mahon (2023), Chapter 5.

Week 7: Changing Gender Norms and Welfare Regime Forms
We examine the challenges posed to welfare regimes by changing gender norms, particularly the shift away from the male breadwinner model. We explore concepts like "defamilialization" and "care chains," and analyse policy responses across different welfare regimes.
Reading: Béland & Mahon (2023), Chapter 6.

Week 8: Social Policy and the Politics of Diversity
This topic explores the complex relationship between social policy and increasing diversity (ethnic, racial, linguistic). We consider the impact of migration, multiculturalism, and nationalism on welfare state development and social cohesion.
Reading: Béland & Mahon (2023), Chapter 7.

Week 9: Globalisation and Social Policy: Transnational Forces and Global Governance
This topic broadens the scope to examine the impact of globalisation on social policy. We explore the role of international organisations, transnational actors, and the emergence of "global social policy" as a field of study.
Reading: Béland & Mahon (2023), Chapter 8.

Module 2: Emerging Challenges and Future Directions

Note: Topics and readings in Module 2 may be adjusted during the semester to reflect current developments in social policy research and practice. Any changes will be communicated in advance.

Week 10: Environmental Issues and Climate Change: The Eco-Social Approach
This topic examines the growing intersection of social policy and environmental concerns. We explore the concept of "eco-social policy" and its implications for addressing climate change, resource depletion, and sustainable development.
Reading: Snell, C., Anderson, S. & Thomson, H. (2023). If Not Now, Then When? Pathways to Embed Climate Change Within Social Policy. Social Policy & Society, 22(4), 675-694.
Note: Term paper outline due this week.

Week 11: Migration, Populism, and the Welfare State
We analyse the impact of migration on social policy, focusing on the rise of right-wing populist movements and their "welfare chauvinist" agendas. We explore the tensions between national solidarity and the inclusion of migrants.
Reading: Ejrnæs, A. & Greve, B. (2019). Populism, welfare chauvinism and hostility towards immigrants. In Greve, B. Welfare, Populism and Welfare Chauvinism. Policy Press. Chapter 8.

Week 12: Religion, Values, and Social Policy
This topic explores the role of religion and values in shaping social policy debates and outcomes. We consider the influence of faith-based organisations, religious diversity, and the intersection of religious beliefs with social policy issues.
Reading: Pavolini, E., Béland, D. & Jawad, R. (2017). Mapping the relationship between religion and social policy. Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, 33(3), 240-260.

Week 13: War, Conflict and Welfare
This topic examines how periods of war, and post-war periods, can affect the need and supply of social policies.
Reading: Frizell, J., Muliavka, V., Obinger, H. & Schmitt, C. (2025). War, solidarity and welfare attitudes: Survey evidence from the war in Ukraine. Journal of European Public Policy.

Week 14: Economic Inequality and Social Policy: Redistribution and Beyond
This topic revisits the classic issue of economic inequality, exploring its relationship to social policy. We examine the role of redistribution, social mobility, and policies aimed at addressing poverty and inequality.
Reading: Greve, B. (2025). Inequality and social policy. In Greve, B. The Future of Social Policy. Routledge. Chapter 6.
Note: Term paper due this week.

Week 15: Summary and Evaluation
Course synthesis and final assessment.

Prerequisites (description)

Students have basic knowledge on social problems and public policy. The course is a continuation "Introduction to social policy I"

Course coordinators

Ryszard Szarfenberg

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE – Upon completion of the course, the student:
W1 – Characterises social policy as a subdiscipline of political science and public administration, indicating its theoretical and methodological specificity within the field of social sciences [K_W01]
W2 – Explains the course of the political process in the area of social policy, with particular emphasis on the stages of needs assessment, planning of social programmes, and their evaluation [K_W03]
W3 – Distinguishes and compares descriptive, explanatory, and normative theories of social policy, indicating their application in the analysis of welfare state systems [K_W06]
W4 – Classifies national traditions and social policy regimes (liberal, conservative, social democratic), identifying their distinctive features as well as historical and institutional determinants [K_W05, K_W06]
W5 – Describes the functioning of social policy institutions in selected specific areas, such as social security, the labour market, and family policy [K_W05]
SKILLS – Upon completion of the course, the student:
U1 – Analyses selected social phenomena, precisely identifying their economic, social, and cultural determinants [K_U03]
U2 – Applies the theories of social policy covered in the course to interpret differences between social policy systems in various countries, formulating independent conclusions in written form [K_U03]

Assessment criteria

Methods and Assessment Criteria

Assessment Components

1. Pre-class assignments (Google Forms) – 30%
2. In-class multiple choice tests (2 tests) – 15%
3. Term paper – 55%

Pre-Class Assignments (30%)

Students complete online assignments via Google Forms before each class, demonstrating engagement with required readings. Assignments include analysis of country cases and work with policy simulators. Deadline: 24 hours before class. Late submissions receive no credit. Students must complete at least 80% of assignments with satisfactory quality to pass this component.

In-Class Tests (15%)

Two multiple choice tests verify knowledge of key concepts, theories, and welfare regime typologies. Each test contributes 7.5% to the final grade.

Term Paper (55%)

Students write an analytical paper (2000-2500 words) on one of four options:

- Option A: Apply theoretical perspectives from Module 1 to analyse an emerging challenge (Module 2) in a selected country
- Option B: Analyse how one welfare regime responds to multiple emerging challenges
- Option C: Compare policy responses to the same challenge across two different welfare regimes
- Option D: Analyse a current social policy debate in your home country through the lens of course theories, positioning it within comparative welfare regime scholarship

Requirements: explicit use of at least one chapter from Béland and Mahon, at least one reading from Module 2, and current empirical material (post-2020 sources).

Scaffolded submission:
- Week 10: Paper outline (research question, selected option, theoretical frameworks)
- Week 14: Final paper

Assessment criteria:
- Research question and argument – 20%
- Application of theoretical frameworks – 30%
- Quality of empirical analysis – 30%
- Structure and use of sources – 20%

Grading Scale

- 91-100%: very good (5)
- 81-90%: good plus (4+)
- 71-80%: good (4)
- 61-70%: satisfactory plus (3+)
- 51-60%: satisfactory (3)
- 0-50%: fail (2)

Attendance

Students who miss more than three sessions without documented justification may be required to complete additional work.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

This course adopts a full AI integration approach. Students may use artificial intelligence tools as an assistant at any stage of their work to support learning, enhance creativity, and meet assessment requirements. There is no requirement to indicate which content was generated with AI assistance. However, students remain responsible for the final product and must ensure their submitted work demonstrates genuine understanding of course concepts and fulfils assessment criteria.

Note for International Students

Assessment prioritises analytical quality and understanding of course concepts. Students are encouraged to draw on knowledge of their home countries. Minor language errors do not affect grades where meaning remains clear.

Practical placement

not applicable

Bibliography

Béland, D., Morgan, K. J., Obinger, H., & Pierson, C. (Eds.). (2021). The Oxford handbook of the welfare state. Oxford University Press.
Spicker, P. (2014). Social policy: Theory and practice. Bristol: Policy Press.
Fitzpatrick, T. (2001). Welfare theory. Introduction. Palgrave

Term 2024L:

Béland, D., & Mahon, R. (2023). Advanced introduction to social policy (2nd ed.). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Term 2025L:

Required Textbook

Béland, D. & Mahon, R. (2023). Advanced Introduction to Social Policy. 2nd ed. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Additional Required Readings (Module 2)

Ejrnæs, A. & Greve, B. (2019). Populism, welfare chauvinism and hostility towards immigrants. In Greve, B. Welfare, Populism and Welfare Chauvinism. Policy Press. Chapter 8.

Frizell, J., Muliavka, V., Obinger, H. & Schmitt, C. (2025). War, solidarity and welfare attitudes: Survey evidence from the war in Ukraine. Journal of European Public Policy.

Greve, B. (2025). Inequality and social policy. In Greve, B. The Future of Social Policy. Routledge. Chapter 6.

Pavolini, E., Béland, D. & Jawad, R. (2017). Mapping the relationship between religion and social policy. Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, 33(3), 240-260.

Snell, C., Anderson, S. & Thomson, H. (2023). If Not Now, Then When? Pathways to Embed Climate Change Within Social Policy. Social Policy & Society, 22(4), 675-694.

Notes

Term 2024L:

Béland & Mahon (2023) will be the crucial for topics I and II. In conclusion they pointed out new topics for social policy research. It will be also a source for topics to the III part of the course e.g.

Environmental Issues and Climate Change.
Migration and Right-Wing Populism.
Religion and Welfare.
War and Welfare.
LGBTQ+ Rights.
Economic Inequality.

Term 2025L:

Environmental Issues and Climate Change.
Migration and Right-Wing Populism.
Religion and Welfare.
War and Welfare.
LGBTQ+ Rights.
Economic Inequality.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2100-SPP-L-D2ISPP in USOSweb