Die Veranstaltung ist findet online statt.

In this seminar we will discuss classic texts that analyse the problem of unemployment. We will mirror different approaches of labour market policy in a comparative perspective and also discuss minimum wage policies as a special policy in this field. Furthermore an introduction to most relevant theories is given.

Die Veranstaltung findet wöchentlich online statt. Es sind Block-Präsenztage geplant.

Die Veranstaltung findet online statt.

What are the main policies aimed at supporting individuals when they face social contingencies such as sickness, unemployment, and child care? And how do policies addressing social risks differ among countries or change over time? This course is an introduction to the study of comparative social policy around the world. It provides an overview of different global patterns and pathways and explores the reasons and consequences thereof. We start by addressing how to compare welfare states and what the main conceptual differences are. We then proceed by dealing with different analytical perspectives to explain social policy making based on national as well as international factors. Finally, we discuss the reform trajectories of different policy fields such as labor markets, family and education. On successful completion of the course, you will be able to critically describe and explain changes and contemporary challenges to welfare states. To receive the 6 credit points for the course, you are asked to read the literature, actively participate in the course and to pass the final take home exam. Important course literature includes Castles et al. (forthcoming) "The Oxford Handbook of the Welfare State", Obinger and Schmidt (2019) “Handbuch Sozialpolitik” as well as several academic online journals such as the Journal of European Social Policy, Social Policy & Administration, Journal of Social Policy, and Zeitschrift für Sozialreform.

Die Veranstaltung ist in Präsenz geplant.

Die Veranstaltung ist in Präsenz geplant.

Die Veranstaltung findet online statt.

This is a supplementary course, which can only be taken in combination with the seminar "European and Comparative Social Policy". While we learn about and discuss the main concepts and theories in the seminar, the workshop allows for additional exercises, applications and debates on the subject in small groups on-site. The main focus of the workshop is on the transfer of the analytical material to different cases and contemporary challenges. There is no additional reading list as it directly builds upon the topics and literature covered during the respective seminar. You receive 3 CP for the successful participation of the workshop. To pass the workshop you will have to do the reading and based on a topic of your choice, you need to hold a presentation either as a traditional PowerPoint presentation or as a poster presentation. The goal is that you apply the analytical concepts and theories discussed during the seminar to contemporary policy challenges. Please note, that you will not receive a grade for the workshop (exceptions are double degree students), but yet, you need to “pass”.

Especially European but also a number of global societies are ageing, which means besides other aspects that the age group old age is growing. This is first of all good news, because more and more people are reaching old age. However, old age means very different things to different groups in society and this entails diverse resources and constrains to live a good life in this life phase. This seminar on age(ing) and gender will introduce you to a number of topics at the intersection of age and gender, but will also discuss other social inequalities.
The first part of the seminar will familiarize you with the sociological study of ageing and gender as well as the theoretical approaches that help to integrate these topics. In the second part we will focus on macro-level outcomes and will explore gender differences in (healthy) life expectancies, financial situations and social class. The third part will discuss meso- and micro- level issues from a gendered perspective, such as work and retirement, caring and social relationships, the ageing body and social images of old people in society. We will close with a discussion on future trends in ageing and gender studies.
Most sessions will take place as online discussions. Three sessions will be organized as small (online) group working weeks, where you prepare small assignments. Please note that most participants of this seminar are non-native speakers and we will allocate some time in understanding the assigned literature.

Die Veranstaltung findet wöchentlich online statt. Es sind Block-Präsenztage geplant.

The COVID-19 crisis has a massive impact on the labour market, however, it does not affect all workers equally, but reveals significant inequalities; at the same time, social and labour market policies play a central role in coping with the crisis. This applies both to existing social protection systems and to crisis-related expansion, reforms and policy innovations. Starting from the German case, the seminar will examine the effects of the crisis on employment and living conditions of different socio-economic groups and then assess these findings in the light of a comparison with selected European welfare states. In addition, the role of the EU in mitigating the effects of the crisis will be discussed.

In the seminar „Who cares?! Comparative perspectives on care, gender and migration”, we examine the ever-more relevant topic of transnational care work and its consequences for global inequalities as well as for individual lives. We focus specifically on the connection of theory and practice. We aim to give voice to a variety of perspectives and make sense of those using theoretical insights from sociological, gender, social policy and migration studies. The literature and activities of this course will take us to realities of people across the world and draw linkages between multiple actors and spheres. We also ask what a “care revolution” could look like and how some of the inequalities involved in transnational care work could be addressed. This general studies seminar is recommended for advanced B.A. students and M.A. students. We will use a variety of online tools to create an open, inspiring, and communicative learning environment.

The COVID-19 crisis has a massive impact on the labour market, however, it does not affect all workers equally, but reveals significant inequalities; at the same time, social and labour market policies play a central role in coping with the crisis. This applies both to existing social protection systems and to crisis-related expansion, reforms and policy innovations. Starting from the German case, the seminar will examine the effects of the crisis on employment and living conditions of different socio-economic groups and then assess these findings in the light of a comparison with selected European welfare states. In addition, the role of the EU in mitigating the effects of the crisis will be discussed.

In the seminar „Who cares?! Comparative perspectives on care, gender and migration”, we examine the ever-more relevant topic of transnational care work and its consequences for global inequalities as well as for individual lives. We focus specifically on the connection of theory and practice. We aim to give voice to a variety of perspectives and make sense of those using theoretical insights from sociological, gender, social policy and migration studies. The literature and activities of this course will take us to realities of people across the world and draw linkages between multiple actors and spheres. We also ask what a “care revolution” could look like and how some of the inequalities involved in transnational care work could be addressed. This general studies seminar is recommended for advanced B.A. students and M.A. students. We will use a variety of online tools to create an open, inspiring, and communicative learning environment.

Die Veranstaltung findet online statt.

Especially European but also a number of global societies are ageing, which means besides other aspects that the age group old age is growing. This is first of all good news, because more and more people are reaching old age. However, old age means very different things to different groups in society and this entails diverse resources and constrains to live a good life in this life phase. This seminar on age(ing) and gender will introduce you to a number of topics at the intersection of age and gender, but will also discuss other social inequalities.
The first part of the seminar will familiarize you with the sociological study of ageing and gender as well as the theoretical approaches that help to integrate these topics. In the second part we will focus on macro-level outcomes and will explore gender differences in (healthy) life expectancies, financial situations and social class. The third part will discuss meso- and micro- level issues from a gendered perspective, such as work and retirement, caring and social relationships, the ageing body and social images of old people in society. We will close with a discussion on future trends in ageing and gender studies.
Most sessions will take place as online discussions. Three sessions will be organized as small (online) group working weeks, where you prepare small assignments. Please note that most participants of this seminar are non-native speakers and we will allocate some time in understanding the assigned literature.

Die Veranstaltung findet wöchentlich online statt. Es sind Block-Präsenztage geplant.

In the seminar „Who cares?! Comparative perspectives on care, gender and migration”, we examine the ever-more relevant topic of transnational care work and its consequences for global inequalities as well as for individual lives. We focus specifically on the connection of theory and practice. We aim to give voice to a variety of perspectives and make sense of those using theoretical insights from sociological, gender, social policy and migration studies. The literature and activities of this course will take us to realities of people across the world and draw linkages between multiple actors and spheres. We also ask what a “care revolution” could look like and how some of the inequalities involved in transnational care work could be addressed. This general studies seminar is recommended for advanced B.A. students and M.A. students. We will use a variety of online tools to create an open, inspiring, and communicative learning environment.

In the seminar „Who cares?! Comparative perspectives on care, gender and migration”, we examine the ever-more relevant topic of transnational care work and its consequences for global inequalities as well as for individual lives. We focus specifically on the connection of theory and practice. We aim to give voice to a variety of perspectives and make sense of those using theoretical insights from sociological, gender, social policy and migration studies. The literature and activities of this course will take us to realities of people across the world and draw linkages between multiple actors and spheres. We also ask what a “care revolution” could look like and how some of the inequalities involved in transnational care work could be addressed. This general studies seminar is recommended for advanced B.A. students and M.A. students. We will use a variety of online tools to create an open, inspiring, and communicative learning environment.