Unit information: Social Policy and the European Union in 2014/15

Unit name	Social Policy and the European Union
Unit code	SPOL30051
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Kennett
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will develop students' understanding of institutions and policy processes within the European Union. It will explore a range of theoretical perspectives on the development of the 'European Social Model' and consider the role of the EU itself in social policy. The unit will consider the tensions and nature of relations between the European Union and member states. Key issues to be explored include poverty and social exclusion, education, citizenship, migration and integration policies, as well as the implications of enlargement for the development of social policy and the future of the EU. The unit will also consider the nature, responses to and impact of the global economic crisis on European integration and the European Social Model.

Reading and References

• May, S. And Verwiebe, R. (2010) European Societies. Mapping Structure and Change. Bristol: The Policy Press.
• Kleinman, M. (2002) A European Welfare State? EU Social Policy in Context, Basingstoke: Palgrave. HN380.5 KLE.
• Geyer, R. (2000) Exploring European Social Policy, HN380.5.A8 GEY.
• Hantrais, L. (2007) Social Policy in the European Union, 3rd Edition, Basingstoke: Macmillan, HN380.5 HAN.