Universität Wien

210175 SE M7: State Activity, Policy and Governance Analyses (2023S)

Children, families, and the Welfare State: A comparative European perspective

9.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work

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Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Saturday 22.04. 09:00 - 14:00 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
  • Saturday 06.05. 09:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
  • Saturday 20.05. 09:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
  • Saturday 03.06. 09:00 - 15:00 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

What is the ‘welfare state' and what functions does it serve? Why and how do welfare states vary across countries and over time? What are the biggest challenges that welfare states face with regard to child and family policy?

This course outlines the origins, development and functions of welfare states in Europe regarding families and family life. It explores the key similarities and differences between family policies across countries and discusses the underlying reasons for and implications of these variations, drawing on a range of perspectives from different disciplines.
The course is taught in four full-day seminars. Seminars are interactive, with discussions based on the reading material and short case studies presented by the students to the group.

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment is by (i) oral presentation of draft cases in class and (ii) writing a research paper of 3 500 words.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The final assessment will be based on the following components:
Active participation in class, reading of set papers in advance of each class and feedback on other students’ presentations (10 % of final grade)
Oral presentation of draft cases in class (20% of final grade)
A written research paper of max. 3 500 words (incl. footnotes, excl. bibliography). Students are free to develop a sample policy according to their interests and experience: such policies submitted for assessment must include an element of empirical research, theorised appropriately in terms of the framework set by the course (70% of final grade).

1 (very good/sehr gut) -> 100-85 points
2 (good/gut) -> 84-72 points
3 (satisfactory/befriedigend) -> 71-60 points
4 (pass/genügend) -> 59-50 points
5 (not satisfactory/nicht genügend) -> 49-0 points

Examination topics

Reading list

Reading list

Indicative readings include:

Burns, K., Pösö, T., & Skivenes, M. (2017). Child welfare removals by the stateComplex and controversial decisions. K. Burns, T. Pösö & M. Skivenes (eds.), Child welfare removals by the state: a cross-country analysis of decision-making systems, 1-17.

Berrick, J., Dickens, J., Pösö, T., & Skivenes, M. (2017). A cross-country comparison of child welfare systems and workers' responses to children appearing to be at risk or in need of help. Child abuse review, 26(4), 305-319.

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. (2015). Handbook on European Law Relation to the Rights of the Child. Publications Office of the European Union. Chapter 5. https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2015/handbook-european-law-child-rights (German version available)

Križ, K., Krutzinna, J., Pantucek-Eisenbacher, P. (2022). The Austrian child welfare system. Moving towards professionalization and participation in J. Duerr Berrick, N. Gilbert & M. Skivenes (eds.) International Handbook of Child Protection Systems. Oxford University Press.

The essential literature will be made accessible via Moodle.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 14.03.2023 12:09