GENERAL
| SCHOOL | School of Economics and Political Science |
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| DEPARTMENT | Sociology |
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| Level of Study | Undergraduate |
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| COURSE CODE | 431088 |
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| COURSE TITLE | Introduction to Social Policy (YE) |
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| Independent Teaching Activities |
Weekly Teaching Hours |
CREDIT UNITS |
| Lectures - assignments |
3 |
6 |
| TOTAL |
3 |
6 |
| Course Type | General Background |
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| Prerequisite Courses | No |
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| Teaching and Examination Language | Greek |
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| THE COURSE IS OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTS | No |
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| Course Webpage (URL) | |
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(2) LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- To develop a clear understanding of the major theoretical approaches and perceptions related to social policies.
- To understand the differences between the traditional and the modern framework for the implementation of social policies.
- To understand policy intervention and implementation problems, as well as the procedures for drafting policy proposals.
- To develop knowledge and skills regarding information collection, as well as the study and analysis of social policies from a comparative perspective (typologization).
- To acquire thorough knowledge regarding the different social policy implementation subsystems, the differences in implementation across various types of welfare states, and the methods for measuring their effectiveness.
- To evaluate the mutations of the fundamental ideas of social policies.
- To improve their critical thinking skills regarding the study of broader issues concerning the implementation of different social policies.
- To evaluate social policies in a synthetic and analytical manner
General Capabilities
- Adaptation to new situations
- Decision making
- Independent work
- Working in an interdisciplinary environment
- Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
- Demonstration of social, professional, and ethical responsibility and gender sensitivity
- Exercise of criticism and self-criticism
- Promotion of free, creative, and inductive thinking.
(3) COURSE CONTENT
1. Introduction to the intellectual and theoretical dimensions of social policies.
2. The development of social policies in the Western world: Historical, ideological, political, economic and social dimensions
3. Crisis and readjustment of social policies in the post-industrial era.
4. Social inequality and redistribution.
5. Social problems and social vulnerability: The role of social intervention.
6. Specific social policies: Social security.
7. Specific social policies: Health.
8. Specific social policies: Education and employment.
9. Specific social policies: Social welfare and care.
10. Comparison of social policies in Europe and the world.
11. Management, economic, and operational dimensions of the implementation of social policies.
12. Typologies of welfare states.
13. Contemporary social policy issues in the era of digitalization.
(4) TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS – EVALUATION
| DELIVERY METHOD | Face to face |
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| Information and Communication Technologies |
- PowerPoint presentation,
- Display of supporting audiovisual material
- Support of the learning process through the e-class electronic platform
|
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| Activity |
Semester Workload |
| Lectures |
39 |
| Work |
29 |
| Standalone Study |
79 |
| Participation in exams |
3 |
| Course Summary |
150 |
Student Evaluation
| Process Description Evaluation |
- Attendance and Participation (10%)
- Final Exam (90%)
- Completion of an optional assignment (+20%)
Includes:
- Comparative evaluation of social policies & critical evaluation of specific cases
- They are listed and available on e-class
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(5) RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Suggested Bibliography
- Dimoulas, K. (2019). Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Social Policy Programs. Athens: Dionikos.
- Esping-Andersen, G. (2014). The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism, Athens: Topos.
- Hemerijck, A. (Ed.). (2017). The uses of social investment. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Lalioti, V. (2018). Aspects of Comparative Social Policy. Athens: Topos.
- Polyzoidis, P. (2019). Social Policy: State, market and nonprofit sector. Athens: Broumas.
- Rosanvallon, P. (2003). The New Social Question: Rethinking the Welfare State. Athens: Metaichmio.
- Sakellaropoulos, T. (2011). Issues of Social Policy, Athens: Dionikos.
- Spicker, P. (2004). The Welfare State: A General Theory. Athens: Dionikos
- Stathopoulos, P. (2015). Social Protection, Social Welfare: Policies and Programs. Athens: Papazisis.
- Tsagarakis, S. I. (2025). The Welfare State in Greece: Critical and Comparative Dimensions of Social Policy (social security, employment, social welfare-care, education) in the Permacrisis Era. Thessaloniki: Tziolas.
- Chletsos, M. (2008). From Welfare to Work: New trends and challenges for social protection. Athens: Kritiki.
Related Scientific Journals
- Journal of Social Policy
- Annual Review of Sociology
- Social Policy & Administration
- Social Policy and Society
- Journal of European Social Policy
