PUPn4456 Global Social Policy

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Ing. Zuzana Schwidrowski, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. PhDr. Tomáš Sirovátka, CSc. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. Ing. Zuzana Schwidrowski, Ph.D.
Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
With intensifying negative consequences of cascading crises (Covid-19, wars, intensifying climate change), the interest in global social policy, broadly defined as direct response to global social challenges, has risen. While in the past individual countries and their governments played a decisive role in shaping social policy, the international organizations (IOs) have become key actors in helping countries design and implement policies addressing cross-cutting issues and sharing global best practices. This course gives a contemporary overview of the concepts, debates, and the widening scope of the global social policy. It analyzes how globalization has impacted various actors of social policy as well as their agendas and examines links of global social policy with other megatrends such as inequality, demographics, urbanization, and climate change.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:  Understand the global social policy issues and the scope of global social policy today as well as the changing roles of key global actors (countries, MNEs, int. organizations)  Evaluate the links of global social policy with globalization and other megatrends  Analyze the key social policy challenges and responses in Global North & Global South
Syllabus
  • 1. Global Social Policy – introduction
  • 2. International Trade, Global Social and Economic Governance, Welfare
  • 3. Business, Labor, and Global Social Policy
  • 4. Theories and Concepts Underpinning Global Social Policy
  • 5. Global Social and Climate Justice
  • 6. Global Poverty and Inequality
  • 7. Global Migration and Global Social Policy
  • 8. Gender, Youth and Global Social Policy
  • 9. Global Social Policy at the Nexus of Water, Energy and Food
  • 10. Global Health Policy
  • 11. Global Education Policy
  • 12. Global Social Security Policy
  • 13. Review – Future of Global Social Policy
Literature
    required literature
  • Understanding global social policy. Edited by Nicola Yeates. Bristol: Policy Press ; and the Social Policy Association, 2008, xxiii, 327. ISBN 9781861349439. info
Teaching methods
The course will take the form of weekly seminars, which will be structured as follows: We will cover, in an interactive manner, the topic of the class. This will be followed by a presentation from an individual student or a small group. The presentation would apply lessons emerging from the readings and class discussion to a particular aspect of globalization or a specific region. The remaining time will be spent on discussing topical issues (for example, possible impact of AI on labor markets and future of work).  Total of 20 contact hours of seminars, with an additional expected total of individual 40 hours of reading and other preparations for seminars.
Assessment methods
Requirements consist of active class participation, presentation alongside a short note on selected topic, and exam. Grade will be based on:  (1) class participation (10%);  (2) presentation on a selected issue and background note (40%);  In the ppt presentation and the background note (1000 words), students will be asked to either support or argue against a particular global social policy intervention and its impact. The topic of presentation should be based on class topics below. Students will be asked to lead the discussion in the session when their topic is discussed. (3) a final essay (50%).
Language of instruction
English
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