PO2PWS-Politics of the Welfare State

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Christoph Arndt
Email: c.arndt@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The course is an introduction to the politics of welfare states in the developed economies of OECD countries with a particular focus on Western Europe. It focuses on the interaction between political and economic factors in explaining the emergence and evolution of welfare states and their various forms across countries. Students learn the major theoretical approaches in the study of the welfare state and apply them to contemporary debates about the welfare state as well as the politics of welfare state reform.

Aims:
This module aims to give students a broad understanding of the welfare state, what factors determine its evolution and how we can explain the differences we observe across countries.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course students will be able to

- explain what the welfare state is, its origins, and differences across countries;

- outline the economic rationale for having welfare state policies;

- discuss the major approaches to the study of the welfare state;

- evaluate the role and relative importance of different actors in influencing welfare state policies;

- apply the main theories of welfare state change to recent reforms of welfare state policies in developed economies.

Additional outcomes:
The module promotes independent study, critical and analytical skills, and the ability to communicate orally in a group context.

Outline content:

The following content is indicative only and may be subject to minor changes:





The course looks at the economic and political aspects of welfare state policies. It analyses the origins, cross-national variation and evolution of the welfare state. It then asks what the welfare state is and where it comes from. Next, students are introduced to the literature on welfare state regimes, welfare state expansion, and on the politics of welfare state reform. The course also reviews several prominent debates on the welfare state. We first focus on the role of employers in opposing or promoting certain welfare state policies. We then examine how the welfare state is increasingly dualised with workers in permanent employment – the insiders – being well-protected and the outsiders remaining in insecure jobs with limited entitlements to benefits. We also ask whether globalisation is at odds with having generous welfare states. Finally, we investigate the broader question whether the welfare state faces a trade-off between efficiency and equity.

Global context:

Whilst the module focuses on Western Europe, references to non-European welfare states will be made at suitable points. Students will also be encouraged to consider non-European case studies in their summative assignments.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course is taught through both lectures and seminars. Lectures introduce students to the relevance and key concepts of a topic as well as prominent debates in academic scholarship. Seminars then allow students to deepen their understanding and apply their knowledge of the topic through various tasks such as a presentation, group exercises, and case studies. To complete the course successfully students must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Students must a ttend all the seminars.


2. Students must submit one 2,000 words essay. The essay question should be different from the presentation question (see point 4).


3. Students must complete a written, in-person exam.


4. Students must give one 10-minute presentation, which must be accompanied by PowerPoint slides.


5. Students are expected to participate actively in class debates.


6. Students must read the compulsory readings before each lec ture and seminar.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10	1
Seminars		15
Guided independent study:		174
Total hours by term	0	199	1
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	40
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Students will complete a 3-hour in-person examination on campus during the exam term (Summer). Attendance at the exam is compulsory. Students who are absent will receive a mark of zero. 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write one 2,000 word essay on a selected topic which will count towards 40% of the overall module mark. Non-submitted essays will be awarded a mark of zero.

Students will also make a 10 minute presentation which will count towards 10% of the overall module mark: those who do not present will be awarded a mark of zero.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
University-wide rules apply.

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails to pass the year at the first attempt there is an opportunity to be re-assessed on one further occasion at the next opportunity in those modules achieving a mark of less than 40%. Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.



Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted by 1st August, emailed directly to politics@reading.ac.uk, AND submitted on Blackboard.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.

Last updated: 13 September 2023