Dis/advantaging the family and society: the role of the welfare state

Course Description

The study of social inequalities has been one of the major focuses of social sciences. This course will focus on the role of the welfare state in such inequalities; as the actor intervening in solving social inequalities, but also as the actor which creates new or maintain existing inequalities. In an interactive form, the course will try to introduce students to various forms and facets of inequalities and the way how these inequalities, as produced by the welfare state, can be identified.

Mode of Delivery	Online
Workload	1,5 hour intensive Seminars every week over the teaching period unless otherwise notified. Students will be expected to undertake a further 5-6 hours independent learning each week over the semester (to prepare discussion assignments).
Prerequisites
Offered by	Public and Social Policy Department
Phone	+49 561 804-3214
Email	Martin.gurin@uni-kassel.de
Office hours for student consultation	By appointment
Tutor	Martin Gurín

SUMMER SEMESTER

2022-23

COURSE OVERVIEW

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

i. Define major conceptual frameworks for social inequality.

ii. Identify the actors and processes involved in dis/advantaging of different societal groups.

iii. Identify and critique policy and governance frameworks relevant to critical arenas of welfare state regulations.

iv. Understand the role of social policy in social change.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Value	Due Date	*Linked Learning Outcomes*
1. Collective assignment – team presentation	40% of the final grade	13^th Seminar	i, iii, & iv
2. Reading assignments – discussion preparation	35% of the final grade	2-12^th Seminar	i,ii,iii, & iv
3. Research assignments	25% of final grade	3-10^th Seminar	i,ii,iii, & iv

Feedback

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

· Verbal feedback of a formative nature during seminars;

· Written feedback of a formative nature based on individual assignments; and

· Written feedback of a summative nature based on final (collective) assignment.

Student Feedback

· Continuous and final feedback will be provided in both verbal and written way. Students are free to provide feedback on all aspects of the course: literature, content, organisation as well as study load.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Date	Topic	Summary of Activities	Assessment
15.02.2023	1	Introduction
22.02.2023	2	Deservingness	Reading assignment
01.03.2023	3	Social Investment	Research assignment
08.03.2023	4	Activation and workfare (1/2)	Reading assignment
15.03.2023	5	Activation and workfare (2/2)	Research assignment
22.03.2023	6	Homeless people in the trap of the welfare state	Reading assignment
29.03.2023	7	Disabilities: caregivers or care recipients?	Class debate
05.04.2023	8	Intersectionality and intersectional inequalities	Reading assignment
12.04.2023	9	Family and gender	Reading assignment
19.04.2023	10	Immigration and the welfare state	Reading assignment
26.04.2022	11	Sexual citizenship (1/2)	Reading assignment
03.05.2022	12	Sexual citizenship (2/2)	Research assignment
10.05.2022	13	Conclusion of the course	Final assignment (presentation)

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

General design: In assessing Seminar participation, the following criteria will be taken into consideration:

(I) Regular participation in weekly discussions

· (II) Discussion of the required literature („individual“ assignment)

o Demonstration of preparation (i.e. done the reading and thought about it);

o Demonstration of understanding of or engagement with the topic;

o Raising relevant questions, points and challenges; and

o Listening actively and responding to others in a constructive fashion.

§ Based on weekly assignments (written, uploaded via Moodle) (0-35%)

· (III) Research assignments and their discussion (0-25%)

o Demonstration of preparation (i.e. fulfilment of the set research-homework).

o Creativity and analytical skills.

· (IV) Preparation of the final assignment – team presentation („collective“ assignment)

o Preparation within the semester, results being presented at the 15th Seminar (0-40%)

Assessment II – individual assignments

Students are required to read compulsory weekly literature and prepare answers to set questions. Each assignment is equal to 5 points.

· Discussion of the comprehension questions in several (2-4) subgroups

o Need to find the super answer!

o What are the answers? Where can answers be found? à complete your answers.

o Do you have any questions regarding literature?

o Are you curious about any specific topic that can be covered later in the course?

Continuously: there should be some feedback about the literature: how easy/difficult is to comprehend the literature (= evaluation of academic texts/writing)

Contributing to discussions can be difficult for some students, especially those who have English as a Second Language (ESL), but there are different ways of contributing to discussion:

Giving an example to illustrate what someone else has said;
Agreeing, but adding some suggestions;
Comparing what has been said to something else you know about (perhaps something you have read);
Disagreeing—and giving your reasons
Asking a question or introducing a new topic.

Listening actively is also part of participation. Students can show that they’re participating by looking interested, which means:

Looking at