LOGMK26HKI Local and Global Welfare Policies (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The students will be able to:
• understand the concept of social policy and its relevance to social services
• understand different theories of welfare and wellbeing
• know the values of social policy
• know different welfare regimes
• understand the history of social policy and future challenges to social policy
• Recognise the relevant organisations and trajectories of international social policy

Content

• The concept social policy
• Definitions and theories of welfare and wellbeing
• Values underlying social policy
• Different welfare regimes
• History and future of social policy and welfare regimes
• International perspectives on social policy
• Basis of public administration in Finland
• Public-, private- and third sector organisations as social service providers

Materials

In addition to lectures the following literature will be part of the exam material:
* Greve, B. (2020). Welfare and the welfare state: Central issues now and in the future (Second edition.). Routledge.
The exam material will be confirmed by the beginning of the study module.

Additional literature (not part of the exam) will be updated during the study module:
* Castles, F. G. (2010). The Oxford handbook of the welfare state. Oxford University Press. (print copies only in the library)
* Deacon, B. (2007).Global Social Policy & Governance. Sage. Print copies also available in the library.
* Deacon, B. & Stubbs, P. (2013). Global social policy studies: Conceptual and analytical reflections. Global Social Policy 113(1), 5-23. DOI: 10.1177/1468018112469798
* Devereux, S., Roelen, K. & Ulrichs, M. (2015). Evaluation Where Next for Social Protection. Evidence report no.124. Policy Anticipation, Response and Evaluation. Institute of Development Studies.
* Reinalda, B.& Verbeek, B.(2005). Autonomous Policy Making by International Organisations. Routledge.
* Seckinelgin, H (2009). Global Social policy and International Organisations: Linking social exclusion to durable inequality. Global Social Policy, 9(2), 205-227. DOI:10.1177/1468018109104626 http://gsp.sagepub.com
* Spicker, P. (2008). Social Policy. Themes and Approaches. The Policy Press. (Print copies only in the library)
* Stoesz, D. (2016). The dynamic welfare state. Oxford University Press.
* Toikko, T., Rantanen, T. (2020). Association between Individualism and Welfare attitudes: An analysis of citizens' attitudes towards the state's welfare responsibility. Journal of Social and Political Psychology. 8(1), pp. 132-150. doi: 10.5964/jspp.v8i1.1162

Teaching methods

LOG study module consists of orientation, lectures, reading for the exam, independent lesson to be done in Diakle, discussion assignment related to the independent lesson, session, exam that consists of individual part (creating mind maps of the exam questions) and a group exam.

Attendance to the orientation and participating in the exam is compulsory.

Exam schedules

Exam will take place in the end of the study module. Retake of the exam and the alternative way of completing the study module should be taken on any of the general exam dates by the end of the semester.

Completion alternatives

Alternative way of completing the study module is only possible upon specific circumstances/criteria (i.e. sickness etc.). Personal reasons such as travel and work are not considered as acceptable criteria.

Alternative way of completing the study module must be agreed with the responsible teacher and/or study guidance counselor two weeks before the beginning of the study module the latest.

The alternative way of completing LOG study module is an exam to be taken on any of the general exam dates by the end of the semester. Literature for the exam will be given by the teacher.

Student workload

The study module is 5 credits which equals 135 hours of student's work.

Lectures and exam: 1 cr
Independent reading for the exam: 4 cr

Further information

It is possible to apply for RPL with studies related to social policy. If the studies have been taken outside Finland, the part that deals with the formation and future of Finnish welfare state should be covered by an essay. Detailed information for this will be given by the lecturers.