Universität Wien

230140 SE M5 Understanding Changing Welfare Regimes (2025W)

Research Seminar Sociological Specialisation

8.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 23 - Soziologie
Continuous assessment of course work
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. 20 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 01.10. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 08.10. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 15.10. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 22.10. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 29.10. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 05.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 12.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 26.11. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 03.12. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 10.12. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 17.12. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 07.01. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 14.01. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 21.01. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 28.01. 09:45 - 13:00 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 1, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock
  • Friday 30.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Inst. f. Soziologie, Seminarraum 3, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Western welfare systems have been in deep crisis for some time now: rising demand, not least due to demographic change, but also economic crises have led to the decline of resources for financing social security. At the same time, stagnant economic growth and repeated fiscal consolidation has culminated in austerity measures that put pressure on welfare arrangements. Added to this are new challenges such as the climate crisis, while social conflicts erupt over who should be afforded solidarity within individual welfare states. At the same time, however, new ideas for renewing public services are emerging, often driven by social movements. These include remunicipalisation or “new municipalism”, caring economics, and ideas for a climate social policy. In this seminar, we will study theories of welfare regimes and look at concrete case studies to examine the crisis in the welfare state and explore current solutions at various levels (local, national, supranational).

Assessment and permitted materials

***UPDATE: Please note the amendment to the weighting of the individual elements of the assessment***

1. Group project (collective research and presentation of results) - 60% of the overall grade
2. Individual written reflection (on welfare regime theories) - 20% of the overall grade
3. Oral exam (presentation of independent analysis) - 20% of the overall grade

AI-tools are not permitted for completion of the assessments.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Attendance is mandatory. In order to meet the requirements of this seminar, you are expected to read the required reading for each seminar; to be prepared to actively participate in group discussions on the theories, concepts, topics, and perspectives addressed in the readings; and to share your interpretations and perspectives on the readings with the group during the seminar sessions.

You must complete and pass all parts of the assessment (i.e., grades 1-4).

Criteria for the assessment of partial performance:
1. Clearly articulated relevance of the selected topic, theories or policy analysis; identifiable individual contribution.
2. Logical development and clear illustration of an argument and/or answer to a specific question.
3. Clear structure and appropriate presentation (introduction, main body, and conclusion; clear structure, correct grammar, and syntax).
4. Reference to topics, discussions and academic literature covered in the seminar along with correct and consistent citation (Harvard or Chicago style) as well as a complete bibliography.

Examination topics

Required readings for each seminar and further materials that will be made available on the Moodle learning platform.

Reading list

Indicative Reading List (the full reading list will be made available at the beginning of the course):
Bohnenberger, K. (2022): Klimasozialpolitik - Ein Forschungsstandbericht zur Verbindung von Klimapolitik und Sozialpolitik für das Deutsche Institut für Interdisziplinäre Sozialpolitikforschung. DIFIS Studien 2022/3 Deutsches Institut für Interdisziplinäre Sozialpolitikforschung.
- Esping-Andersen, G. (1990): The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. Princeton University Press.
- Dowling, E. (2016): In the Wake of Austerity: Social impact Bonds and the Financialisation of the Welfare State in Britain. New Political Economy, 22(3), 294–310.
Getzner, M. et al. (2024): Daseinsvorsorge 2030: Gute Grundversorgung für alle innerhalb planetarer Grenzen. Wien: AK Wien.
- Jackson, T. (2021): Postgrowth: Life After Capitalism. Cambridge: Polity.
- Lewis, J. (2002). Gender and Welfare State Change. European Societies, 4(4), 331–357.
- Thompson, M. (2020). What’s So New About New Municipalism? Progress in Human Geography, 45(2), 317-342.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 17.12.2025 13:06