In this seminar we will discuss classic texts that analyse employment in different welfare states and 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.

What are the most important policies to help individuals when faced with contingencies such as illness, unemployment, old age, and child care? And how do policies to address social risks differ across countries or change over time? Traditionally, social policy has been regarded as an area that almost exclusively exists at the national level. Yet recent developments are challenging traditional notions of social policy as it increasingly transcends national boundaries.
This seminar provides an introduction to the study of comparative social policy by also including the international dimension. It gives an overview of the various global patterns and examines the trajectories of reforms, their causes, and their consequences. We start by conceptualizing the Welfare State, internationalization/Europeanization, and major historical developments. Then, different analytical and theoretical perspectives on explaining social policy-making based on national and international factors are addressed. Finally, we discuss the reform trajectories of various social policy areas such as labour markets, pensions, and health care by applying our analytical framework.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to critically describe and explain changes and current challenges in the field of internationalized social policy. To receive 6 credits for the course, you are expected to read the literature, actively participate in seminar discussions, and pass the final exam.

The course aims at providing an overview and understanding of a selection of commonly applied qualitative data collection and interpretation methods and is divided into three parts: Firstly, students will be introduced to overarching methodologies of qualitative research as well as research designs. Secondly, data collection methods will be discussed, such as interviewing, document analysis and ethnography. The third part of the seminar will deal with interpretation methods, including qualitative content analysis, process tracing and discourse analysis. Quality criteria of and ethics in qualitative research will also be discussed. The focus will be on real-world applications, students will develop and execute their own empirical research project.

This course includes a comprehensive examination of educational inequality that combines theoretical and empirical evidence in this regard, taking a global perspective. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the systemic and individual causes, consequences, and possible solutions to educational inequality. The course will analyze and discuss various factors that contribute to unequal educational opportunities such as socioeconomic status, origin, gender, and geographic location. Through discussion of empirical evidence and the application of systems thinking, students will develop a holistic understanding of the complex nature of educational inequality.

Over the course of the semester, theories and empirical findings related to inequality in educational opportunity and outcomes will be discussed. Students will then conduct their own small theoretical studies of educational inequality in different countries, present the results, and write a policy brief as their final paper.

Students will learn to look at educational inequality from different perspectives, critically evaluate empirical analyses, conduct their own research on the topic, and argue for possible solutions based on what they have learned.

[Dieser Kurs beinhaltet eine umfassende Untersuchung der Ungleichheit im Bildungswesen, die theoretische und empirische Erkenntnisse diesbezüglich kombiniert und dabei eine globale Perspektive einnimmt. Die Studierenden erlangen ein vertieftes Verständnis der systemischen und individuellen Ursachen, Folgen und möglichen Lösungen für Bildungsungleichheit. Im Kurs werden verschiedene Faktoren die zu ungleichen Bildungschancen beitragen wie sozioökonomischer Status, Herkunft, Geschlecht und geografische Lage analysiert und diskutiert. Durch die Diskussion empirischer Belege und die Anwendung eines systemischen Denkens werden die Studierenden ein ganzheitliches Verständnis für die komplexe Natur von Bildungsungleichheit entwickeln.

Im Laufe des Semesters werden Theorien und empirische Ergebnisse zur Ungleichheit von Bildungschancen und -ergebnissen erörtert. Die Studierenden werden anschließend ihre eigenen kleinen theoretischen Studien zur Bildungsungleichheit in verschiedenen Ländern durchführen, die Ergebnisse präsentieren und als Abschlussarbeit einen Policy-brief verfassen.

Die Studierenden werden dadurch lernen Bildungsungleichheit von verschieden Perspektiven zu betrachten, empirische Analysen kritisch zu beurteilen, eigene Recherchen zum Thema durchzuführen und auf Basis des Gelernten für mögliche Lösungen zu argumentieren.]