2025/2026
Сравнительный анализ социальной политики
Лучший по критерию «Полезность курса для Вашей будущей карьеры»
Лучший по критерию «Полезность курса для расширения кругозора и разностороннего развития»
Статус:
Маго-лего
Кто читает:
Департамент политики и управления
Где читается:
Факультет социальных наук
Когда читается:
3, 4 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
6
Контактные часы:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Social policy is an important field of contemporary state activities related to the welfare state and social services offered to its citizens. In different administrative systems the scope of social policy may differ in particular aspect or components, but the general principle in the core is the same – it focuses on the social problems a society faces through identification and thorough analysis of the causes and consequences of such problems, the influence of different factors (social, political, administrative, economic, etc.) on the dynamics of such challenges, opportunities and limitations for political and administrative reaction to them, and potential efficiency of various policy solutions available to the policy-makers dealing with such social issues. The course is supposed to provide comparative analytical framework for consideration of social policies around the globe and introduce students to the diversity and key components of most typical social policies implemented by most governments. In addition, the students are supposed to get experience of policy papers preparation.
Learning Objectives
- To provide students with thorough understanding of the social policy concept and its main components
- To develop students competencies of comparative analysis methodology
- To provide students with knowledge of up-to-date experience of social policy implementation around the world
- To provide students with detailed comparative analysis of possible policy solutions for specific social policies in Russia and abroad in different cultural, political, social, and economic settings
- To provide the competencies necessary for effective and rational participation in development and implementation of social policy
Expected Learning Outcomes
- The students will acquire the skills necessary for professional participation in analyzing social challenges, developing elements of social policy, planning the implementation of social policy, and analytical documents writing skills (papers, reports, and memos) in several areas of social policy.
- The students will be able to conduct comparative analysis of social issues and social policy in different environments.
- The students will know the theory of social policy, the international experience of solving certain social problems, the specific features of the main field of social policy
Course Contents
- Introduction in public policy analysis
- Comparing across nations: quantitative vs qualitative methods, comparative approach and methods
- Contemporary social policy
- Restructuring Welfare states
- Welfare states around the world
- Measuring social policy
- Social policy and social services
- Health and family policies
- Comparative education policy
- Students' policy papers: presenting and discussing
Assessment Elements
- Presentation on welfare stateStudents individually prepare a review of welfare state policies in a country of their choice (countries are proposed by the students in advance and approved by the lecturer). The 10 minutes presentation with slides should be based on the relevant theory and include a description of the general trends in the social policy field and a review of several most remarkable social policies.
- Policy paperThe students individually write a policy paper on any relevant social policy issue. The topics to be proposed by students in any relevant policy field during the first 3 classes and approved by the lecturer. The design of the policy paper is to be based on comparative analysis. At least two cases of countries or regions should be used as policy alternatives to prepare policy recommendations for the status quo country (or region). Students should follow the recommendations and guidelines provided by the lecturer. The recommended size of the policy paper - around 3 000 words.
- Presentation of the policy paperThe students present and discuss the policy papers at the last classes of the course. 10 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for discussion. The content of the presentation should reflect the content of the policy paper. Presentation may be done online on prior agreement with the lecturer. Slides to be submitted for grading together with the policy paper.
- Home assignments and participation in discussionsThe home assignments include preparation for the discussions and policy paper research. The activity of students in the classroom should be based on knowledge of the material passed on the course (recommended literature, participation in previous classes) and expressed in the formulation of their informative opinions, as well as questions and answers during the discussion. The students are supposed to attend the classes and to participate in the in-class activities, which may include but are not limited to in-class discussions of their individual preparation and research, asking questions on the presentations and reports of the classmates, group work, etc.
- Policy briefStudents prepare is a short policy-related document for non-specialists on a social policy issue of their choice. The guidelines will be provided in advance by the lecturer.
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 4th module0.2 * Policy paper + 0.2 * Presentation on welfare state + 0.2 * Home assignments and participation in discussions + 0.2 * Policy brief + 0.2 * Presentation of the policy paper
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Engeli, I., & Allison, C. R. (2014). Comparative Policy Studies : Conceptual and Methodological Challenges. [Basingstoke]: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=997751
- Fischer, F., Miller, G., & Sidney, M. S. (2007). Handbook of Public Policy Analysis : Theory, Politics, and Methods. Boca Raton: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=184464
- Hasan, S. A. (2014). The Oxford Handbook of the Economics of Poverty. Economic Record, 90(288), 121–123. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-4932.12100
- Kennett, P. (2004). A Handbook of Comparative Social Policy. Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Mariely López-Santana. (2015). New Governance of Welfare States in the United States and Europe, The : Between Decentralization and Centralization in the Activation Era. SUNY Press.
- Powell, M. (2011). The Oxford Handbook of the Welfare State - By F. G. Castles, S. Leibfried, J. Lewis, H. Obinger and C. Pierson. Social Policy & Administration, 45(3), 319–323. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9515.2011.00775_1.x
- Vigoda-Gadot, E., & Vashdi, D. R. (2020). Handbook of Research Methods in Public Administration, Management and Policy. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Esping-Andersen, G., & United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. (1996). Welfare States in Transition : National Adaptations in Global Economies. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=309783
- Greer, S. L., & Kurzer, P. (2013). European Union Public Health Policy : Regional and Global Trends. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=536558
- Haveman, R., Blank, R., Moffitt, R., Smeeding, T., & Wallace, G. (2015). The War on Poverty: Measurement, Trends, and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1002/pam.21846
- Martinelli, F., Anttonen, A. A., & Matzke, M. (2017). Social Services Disrupted : Changes, Challenges and Policy Implications for Europe in Times of Austerity. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1638828
- Midgley, J., Surender, R., & Alfers, L. (2019). Handbook of Social Policy and Development. Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Plank, D. N., Ford, T. G., Sykes, G., & Schneider, B. L. (2009). Handbook of Education Policy Research. New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=270704