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Comparative Social Policy

Key information

  • Module code:

    5SSPP235

  • Level:

    5

  • Semester:

      Spring

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

This course introduces students to the comparative study of social policy. The aim is to help students understand the varying ways in which countries address social issues and the political forces that have shaped these policy responses.

The course is organized into four main parts. We begin by examining cross-country variation in social policies and we discuss typologies of welfare regimes. In the second part we examine the social and political forces that have shaped contemporary welfare states. In this context we will discuss how the welfare state affects income and gender inequality. In the third part we move on to analyse contemporary policy issues affecting the welfare state. After having reviewed the literature on welfare state expansion and retrenchment, we will end this course by discussing a number of current topics in welfare state research, including the application of welfare state theories to non-Western countries, variation in public support for the welfare state and the effect of immigration.

Assessment details

7 Minute Presentation

Review Essay (700 Words)

Attendance & Participation 

2500 Word Essay

Educational aims & objectives

  • To understand the varying ways in which countries address social issues.
  • To understand the forces that shaped these policy responses.
  • To analyse the consequences of different social policies.
  • To critically examine some the current challenges affecting social policy, including globalisation, ageing societies, immigration and changing economic structures.
  • To understand when and why voters and political parties support the expansion or retrenchment of social policy.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able:

  • To demonstrate a command of the principal findings of research in the field of comparative social policy.
  • To evaluate critically the design and implementation of social policy research.
  • To explore the determinants of social policy in the contemporary world using relevant databases.
  • To conduct rigorous analysis using relevant research sources.
  • To advance reasoned and factually supported arguments in both written and oral formats.
  • To identify and locate scholarly works and other resources relevant to the study of social policy.

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.