Social Policy in Comparative Perspective

2026/2027

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Sociology

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

1 year, 4 module

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course introduces students to the main concepts, approaches and models of state social policy in Russia, as well as other countries and regions. Students will become familiar with the concept of the welfare state and welfare regimes, the specifics of implementing policies to overcome inequality and poverty, health, education and social protection policies. The role of non-governmental actors in implementing social policy - non-profit organizations and social enterprises - is emphasized. Upon completion of the course, students will have a holistic understanding of the goals and objectives of social policy, which will help them formulate problems and assess the social effects of business. The course will also allow students to gain the necessary theoretical knowledge to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of various social projects and programs.

Learning Objectives

• To introduce students to the main goals and elements of state social policy;
• To introduce students to the main models of social policy in various spheres (healthcare, education, social protection, etc.) and regions of the world;
• To introduce students to the main forms of involvement of non-state actors, including social entrepreneurs, in the implementation of state social policy.
• • To encourage students to enroll fundamental sociological theories in practical ground of social policy.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• be able to compare and work with different existing models of social policy and critically analyze them
• get the skill of recognition of social problem as also a theoretical one and be able to integrate academic theoretical knowledge into practical ground of social policy
• obtain the capability of collaborative work with project partners, share responsibilities and find a proper empirical data for the analysis

Course Contents

• Topc 1. Fundamentals of social policy, definition of the essence, connection with the methodology of sociology, types and principles.
• Topic 2. The main directions of the state social policy
• Topic 3. Ideological and political foundations of social policy.
• Topic 4. Models of social policy and world practice
• Topic 5. Ethnosocial and ethnogroup demographic processes in the implementation of measures to support the population and the implementation of cultural policy.
• Topic 6. Success indicators of social policy. Trips to study the quality and standard of living of the population.

Assessment Elements

• In class participation
• Project
• Exam

Interim Assessment

• 2026/2027 4th module
  0.3 * In class participation + 0.4 * Exam + 0.3 * Project

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Государство всеобщего благосостояния, Сидорина, Т. Ю., 2018
• История и теория социальной политики : учеб. пособие для вузов, Сидорина, Т. Ю., 2012

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Государство всеобщего благосостояния: от утопии к кризису, Сидорина, Т. Ю., 2013
• История и теория социальной политики : учеб. пособие для вузов, Сидорина, Т. Ю., 2010

Authors

• KUZINER EVGENIIA NIKOLAEVNA
• Simonova Veronika Vitalevna