Contemporary changes of welfare state 2103-L-D6WPPD

https://classroom.google.com/c/MjExNjQzNTk1MjFa (term 2024L)
https://classroom.google.com/c/MjExNjQzNTk1MjFa (term 2025L)

Topics of the seminar (the order in which topics are covered is approximate and may change over the course of the semester):
1. Introduction
2. Concept and definitions of the welfare state
3-4. Welfare state models
Liberal model; Conservative model; Social democratic model
Other welfare state models
5. Trends of criticism of the welfare state institution in the 1970s
6. New challenges facing welfare states in the early decades of the 21st century, during the formation of post-industrial society and increasing globalization
7-10. Changes in social policy from 2000-2023 in developed countries
7-8. Labor market policy
9. Family policy
10. Social security systems
11-12. Contemporary trends in the evolution of the main welfare state models
13. The welfare state from an economic perspective
14. Evolution of the Polish welfare state: from real socialism to a market economy and parliamentary democracy
15. Scenarios for the development of welfare states in the era of globalization

Term 2024L:

Topics of the seminar:
1. Introduction
2. Concept and definitions of the welfare state
3-4. Welfare state models
Liberal model; Conservative model; Social democratic model
Other welfare state models
5. Trends of criticism of the welfare state institution in the 1970s
6. New challenges facing welfare states in the early decades of the 21st century, during the formation of post-industrial society and increasing globalization
7-10. Changes in social policy from 2000-2023 in developed countries
7-8. Labor market policy
9. Family policy
10. Social security systems
11-12. Contemporary trends in the evolution of the main welfare state models
13. The welfare state from an economic perspective
14. Evolution of the Polish welfare state: from real socialism to a market economy and parliamentary democracy
15. Scenarios for the development of welfare states in the era of globalization

Term 2025L:

Prerequisites (description)

General knowledge of social policy at the undergraduate level is required. The main objective of the course is to familiarize undergraduate social policy students with the transformations that have occurred in welfare states from the mid-19th century to the present day. These changes will primarily be analyzed from the perspective of social policy implemented by these states. The course will also present the challenges and dilemmas faced by all developed countries and their social policies in the post-industrial era, as well as the actions taken in response to these challenges. Based on these analyses, we will attempt to assess the likelihood of implementing and the possible outcomes of various future scenarios for this policy. Another equally important goal of the seminar is to create a forum for students to discuss social policy strategies and reflect on the effectiveness of responses to contemporary challenges employed by different developed countries.

Course coordinators

Aleksandra Zubrzycka-Czarnecka

Type of course

General:

obligatory courses

Term 2024L:

elective seminars
obligatory courses

Term 2025L:

elective seminars
obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

The seminar will contribute to the achievement of the following learning outcomes specified in the study program:

The graduate knows and understands the terminology of comparative and international social policy and has knowledge of the place of social policy in the system of sciences. Additionally, the graduate is familiar with basic research methods and techniques in the field of social policy (K_W01).
The graduate knows and understands the types, manifestations, structures, and dynamics of social problems on a national, local, and global scale, as well as the relationships between them and their structural determinants in the context of contemporary changes of welfare state (K_W02).
The graduate knows and understands the system of social policy institutions on a national level and in selected foreign countries (including the EU) (K_W09).
The graduate can interpret social phenomena related to the transformations of the welfare state, accurately identifying social problems, social issues, and social risks. The graduate can also indicate their economic and socio-demographic determinants in the context of social policy (K_U01).
The graduate can critically analyze social programs and actions of social policy on various scales and in different fields. This includes identifying interests and value systems in a social program and explaining their relationship with specific solutions in the context of the transformation of the welfare state (K_U02).
The graduate is prepared to critically assess their knowledge and external communications in the field of international and comparative social policy. Additionally, the graduate recognizes the importance of scientific evidence for social policy as practical activity in the context of the transformation of the welfare state (K_K01).

Assessment criteria

The final exam will be in the form of a written exam, where students are required to answer two open-ended questions covering the topics discussed during the seminar.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools:

In accordance with Resolution No. 29/2025 of the Didactic Council of the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools during this course is regulated based on the AI Assessment Scale (AIAS).

Level of allowed AI use: Level 4 – Critical Evaluation of AI-generated Content

Students are allowed to use AI tools to generate content only for specific tasks. However, all AI-generated outputs must be clearly marked and accompanied by a critical assessment of their accuracy, relevance, and biases. Students must demonstrate their own analytical and reflective input in all assignments.

Permitted uses may include:

Using AI to draft selected parts of a written assignment (with proper citation).

Comparing AI-generated and human-written texts.

Critically evaluating AI-generated content for reliability and bias.

Integrating AI content into broader projects with student-led synthesis.

Important rules:

Any use of AI must be disclosed.

All AI-generated content must be cited in footnotes and acknowledged in the declaration.

Failure to comply with these rules will be treated as a breach of academic integrity.

Students are encouraged to develop their digital and AI literacy by engaging critically with AI tools, while maintaining the standards of academic honesty, autonomy, and ethical responsibility.

Practical placement

Not applicable

Bibliography

The readings for the course may be changed or updated during the semester.
I. J. Schustereder, Welfare State Change in Leading OECD Countries. GABLER RESEARCH.
N. Barr, Shifting Tides. Dramatic social changes mean the welfare state is more necessary than ever.
Ryszard Szarfenberg, Pożegnanie państwa opiekuńczego?
http://rszarf.ips.uw.edu.pl/pdf/ws_pozegnanie.pdf
Charles R. Atherton, The Welfare State: Still on Solid Ground, Social Service Review , Jun., 1989, Vol. 63, No. 2 (Jun., 1989), pp. 167-179, The University of Chicago Press.
B. Greve, Rethinking Welfare and the Welfare State. Edward Elgar.
The literature will be made available to the students during the classes.

Term 2024L:

I. J. Schustereder, Welfare State Change in Leading OECD Countries. GABLER RESEARCH.
N. Barr, Shifting Tides. Dramatic social changes mean the welfare state is more necessary than ever.
Ryszard Szarfenberg, Pożegnanie państwa opiekuńczego?
http://rszarf.ips.uw.edu.pl/pdf/ws_pozegnanie.pdf
Charles R. Atherton, The Welfare State: Still on Solid Ground, Social Service Review , Jun., 1989, Vol. 63, No. 2 (Jun., 1989), pp. 167-179, The University of Chicago Press.
B. Greve, Rethinking Welfare and the Welfare State. Edward Elgar.
The literature will be made available to the students during the classes.

Term 2025L:

Notes

Term 2024L:

Term 2025L:

Additional information

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

Description of 2103-L-D6WPPD in USOSweb