SPOL20260 Social Protection: Security, Work and Poverty

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module explores the income maintenance function of the Irish welfare state in the OECD context. It examines why and how states provide income supports for individuals and households, what direct effects these supports have on incomes and living standards, what indirect effects they may have by way of incentives for certain kinds of behaviour (e.g. in promoting employment), and how they relate to services that might provide alternative means of supporting well-being (e.g. childcare, job-training). The module considers income support for childhood, working age and old age separately and introduces various means to achieve this goal beyond core welfare state schemes (tax, social insurance, private/informal protection). Welfare benefits discussed in the module include, for instance, parental leave, childcare vouchers, student grants/loans, jobseeker's allowance, family income supplement, pensions and long-term care payments. Particular attention is paid to current welfare debates on ‘social investment’, ‘activation’, ‘new social risks’ and ‘individualisation’.
The module is delivered mainly through lectures and independent learning. In class discussions and group work will support the learning experience to give students the chance to critically reflect on concepts and issues of social protection.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module, you will have an improved understanding of what social protection is and how it works both in Ireland and in other parts of the OECD. You will be aware of major questions and concerns that arise about social protection and be able to comment critically on the issues involved. You will also have a basic understanding of some of the technical issues that arise in the study of social protection, for example, in regard to the measurement of poverty and income inequality and the analysis of incentive effects on behaviour. At the end of the module you should also have a good understanding how to interpret descriptive statistics and a basic knowledge how to interpret more advanced statistical analysis.
In the mid-term assignment you will apply your knowledge to critically assess the most recent social protection budget changes announced in autumn the previous year.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Total

98
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is based on lectures and independent reading.

All module content is supported with multiple online resources such as readings or videos ahead of lectures. Occasionally, the lectures are supported with in-class quizzes and discussions. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

No prior learning is required. This video gives you an idea about the global challenges of social security systems and this module will discuss how these issues apply to Ireland, Europe and around the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXZeWgybOVQ


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: comment on budget 2018 (600 words) Week 6 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40
Examination: MCQ on module content, online 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

60

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

For the blog assignment students will receive individual feedback via BrightSpace and class feedback in the lectures.

Name Role
Dr Stephan Koeppe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer