Dr Ania Plomien, COL.5.01J

This course is available on the MPA in European Public and Economic Policy, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MSc in Gender, Policy and Inequalities, MSc in Social Policy (European and Comparative Social Policy), MSc in Social Policy (Research), MSc in Social Policy (Social Policy and Planning) and MSc in Social Research Methods. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

The course investigates the different ways in which gender is incorporated into national welfare states and the impact of national structures on the patterns and prevalences of gender inequalities. The course covers the theory and methodology of comparative studies and their applicability to the analysis of gender, especially how well existing typologies of welfare states fare when gender is the focus of analysis, and analyses the role of the European Union in the development of gendered policies and outcomes in EU countries. A number of key patterns of inequality and policy areas will be studied, including: the organisation of caring services; migration; family policy; provisions for lone parents; the labour market and labour market policies; the practices and roles of men, especially regarding fatherhood; and fertility and aging. In looking at these areas students will be encouraged to contrast approaches of different welfare systems and  consider the particularism of national approaches.

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT.

There will be a reading week in week 6 in line with departmental policy.

Essay (2000 words) due in the LT.

• G. Abels and J. M. Mushaben (2012) Gendering the European Union.
• R. Crompton et al. (2007) Women, Men, Work and Family in Europe.
• H. M. Dahl et al. (eds) (2011) Europeanization, Care and Gender: Global Complexities.
• M. Daly and K. Rake, (2003) Gender and the Welfare State.
• G. Esping- Andersen (2009) The Incomplete Revolution: Adapting to Women’s New Roles.
• J. Gornick and M. Meyers (2003) Families that Work.
• J. Kantola (2010) Gender and the European Union.
• R. Lister (2003) Citizenship: Feminist Perspectives, 2nd ed.
• J. Lewis (2009) Work-Family Balance, Gender and Policy.

Essay (100%, 4000 words) in the ST.

For the last few years the course has been taught in a 3-hour block split into an interactive lecture and a student-led seminar. This facilitates learning among students with various levels of knowledge of European Social Policy, Welfare State Scholarship, and Gender Theory and allows combining multiple perspectives. As confirmed by the external examiner, the course addresses ‘a range of important and topical policy issues in Europe’ and the quality of student work ‘is very good and demonstrates a high level of engagement’.