Family Policy 2100-SPP-L-D3FAPO
The classes will consist of two activities: lectures (introduction to the topic) with students' active participation and group discussions based on previously announced literature (one paper or book chapter). The course will consist of the following topics:
Family Theories:
The First and Second Demographic Transition Theory
Changes in European fertility patterns: measures and statistics
Low fertility concerns: regional contrasts and main driving forces
Changes in the process of union formation and dissolution in Europe
Supra-national Perspective:
Beyond the National: How the EU, OECD, and World Bank Do Family Policy?
National Perspective:
Family Policies and Fertility Outcomes:
Childcare services
Parental leave programs
Financial transfers
Reproductive health: Support for people with biological barriers to conception
Impact of family policy “packages” on fertility
Sub-national Perspective:
Going Regional: Local Family Policy and Responses to Sub-national Differences
Organizational Perspective:
Labour Market Changes and Uncertainty: How Does It Affect Fertility Intentions and Realization?
Company-Level Family Policies: Who Has Access to Them?
Case Studies:
Country-specific Family Policy Examples
Course coordinators
Mode
Assessment criteria
The final grade is based on two components:
group discussions (25%)
preparation of in-class discussion questions based on a previously announced article/book chapter
active participation in the discussion
final presentation (75%)
each student is supposed to choose one country with a low fertility level and prepare around 20-30-minute presentation about policy packages aimed at increasing fertility
the presentation should consist of the following sections: basic statistics about fertility in the chosen country, possible explanations of fertility trends, a list of already implemented policies, evaluation, and students' suggestions for future policies