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Social Policy

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Soci2010, Social Problems

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to prepare competitive specialists in the field of public administration that meet the requirements of the European Union, who are endowed with a wide range of erudition and good knowledge, skills and competencies in social policy issues. The study course provides comprehensive theoretical knowledge and understanding of social policy and its influencing factors. Students are introduced to the normative regulation of social policy and the basic principles of the institutions implementing it. Within the study course, various areas of social policy are analyzed in the context of problem situations and corresponding solutions.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding of social policy, the mechanism of its implementation, which includes the regulatory framework of social policy areas and the institutions involved in the implementation of social policy at the international, national and local level. (Tests, individual work.)
Skills - able to find, analyze and apply the norms included in regulatory enactments, which are focused on solving problem situations in various areas of social policy. Able to analyze the activities of institutions involved in the implementation of social policy and evaluate the role of these institutions in the implementation of social policy areas (social security, insurance) (group work, discussions, analysis of problem situations, individual work, exam.)
Competences - Able to independently navigate the range of social policy areas, find, analyze and apply social policy regulations in accordance with various social policy-related problem situations, as well as discuss the competence of institutions involved in the implementation of social policy in various problem situations. (Discussions, group work, tests, individual work, exam.)

Course Content(Calendar)

Lectures’content (32 hours)
1. Introduction. The concept, functions, principles and values of social policy. (2h)
2. Historical development of social policy. (2h)
3. The mechanism implementing social policy: the base of normative acts and the institutions.(2h)
4. Welfare state models. (2h)
5. Basic principles of social security. (2h)
6. Social insurance system (2h)
7. Social help and social services. (2h)
8. Social inclusion policy. (2h)
9. Social protection of immigrants. (2h)
10. Unemployment-related social protection. (2h)
11. Characteristics of the healthcare system. (2h)
12. Basic principles of family support policy. (2h)
13. Child protection policy. (2h)
14. Basic principles of housing support policy. (2h)
15. Gender equality in the context of social policy. (2h)
16. Factors influencing social policy: demographic situation and globalization. (2h)

Content of practical classes (32 hours)
1. Values of social policy. (2 hours)
2. Historical development of social policy in Latvia. (2 hours)
3. Description of the mechanism implementing social policy: normative acts and institutions. Principles of social budget formation. (2 hours)
4. Welfare state models. (2 hours)
5. Social security analysis. Analysis of the regulatory framework in the field of social security. (2 hours)
6. Pension system in Latvia. First, second and third pillar. (2 hours)
7. Analysis of the regulatory framework in the field of social assistance and services (2 hours)
8. The impact of poverty on the sustainability of society. (2 hours)
9. Social protection of immigrants in Latvia and elsewhere in the world. (2 hours)
10. Employment policy in Latvia and elsewhere in the world. (2 hours)
11. Health care system in Latvia and elsewhere in the world. (2 hours)
12. Family support policy in Latvia. Family policy guidelines. (2 hours)
13. Child protection system in Latvia, the factors influencing it. (2 hours)
14. Housing policy analysis. (2 hours)
15. The impact of globalization and demographic situation on social policy. (2 hours)
16. Presentations of students' individually prepared work on social policy areas (2 hours)

Requirements for awarding credit points

To obtain credit points, students must attend at least 80% of the seminars or complete all tasks added to e-studies as well as obtain a positive grade in three tests, present an individual paper and obtain a positive grade in the exam.

Study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with the Order of the Vice-Rector of Studies No. 2.4.-5/59 On distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. The students learn the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and placed by the lecturer in the e-studies (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics in distance learning is organised in the form of self-assessment tests, discussion forums and independent work, as well as in face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The organization of the independent work of the study course Social Policy is based on independent studies in the search, analysis and application of regulatory enactments, as well as a description of the competence of the relevant institutions. As a result of these studies students develop individual work according to theareas of social policy

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation of the study course Social Policy (evaluation with a mark - exam) consists of:
1. A test on social policy and its implementation mechanism. (10% of the total rating)
2. A test on the elements of social security, the base of regulatory enactments of social security. (10% of the total rating)
3. A test on various areas of social policy, their regulatory framework. (10% of the total rating)
4. Individual work on one separate area of social policy in the context of its implementation mechanism. (20% of the total evaluation of the work)
5. Written exam - includes all topics covered during the study course. (50% of the total evaluation of the work).

Compulsory reading

1. Spicker Paul. Social Policy. Theory and Practice. Great Britain: Policy Press. 2014. 514.p. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/1588658104-social-policy-theory-and-practice.pdf
2. Beth R. Crisp, Ann Taket. Sustaining Social Inclusion. New York: Routledge, 2020. 357 p.
3. Esping-Andersen Gosta, Duncan Gallie, Anton Hemerijck, and John Myles. Why we need a new welfare state. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. 275p. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://books.google.lv/books?id=O8rFyFdzmqMC&printsec=frontcover&hl=lv&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
4. Cilvēkdrošība Latvijā un pasaulē: no idejas līdz praksei. Rakstu krājums. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds Zinātne, 2012. 461 lpp.
5. Segal A. Elizabeth. Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs. A Values Perspective. Boston: Cengage Learning. 2016. 452 p. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://pb1lib.org/book/3692596/c57300?id=3692596&secret=c57300
6. Hartley D. Welfare Rights and Social Policy. Great Britain: Dorset Press, 2002. 255p.
7. Hartley D. Social Policy and Human Rights: Re-thinking the Engagement. Social Policy & Society 7:1, 1–12. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. 2007 [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/93329.pdf

Further reading

1. Baglioni, Simone, Sinclair, Stephen. Social Innovation and Social Policy: Theory, Policy and Practice. Policu Press 2018. 136 lpp.
2. Hoboken, N.J. Comprehensive handbook of social work and social welfare . John Wiley & Sons, 2008. 696p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Latvijas Republikas Satversme (1922.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/57980-latvijas-republikas-satversme
2. ANO Bērna tiesību konvencija. (1990.) [Tiešsaiste] Starptautisks dokuments. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/lv/starptautiskie-ligumi/id/1150
3. Eiropas Sociālā harta. (2002.) Starptautisks dokuments. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/lv/starptautiskie-ligumi/id/1045
4. Pārstrādātā Eiropas Sociālā harta. (1996.) Starptautisks dokuments. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/lv/starptautiskie-ligumi/id/339
5. Starptautiskais pakts par ekonomiskajām, sociālajām un kultūras tiesībām. (1992.) Starptautisks dokuments. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://www.tiesibsargs.lv/lv/pages/tiesibu-akti/ano-dokumenti/ano-starptautiskais-pakts-par-ekonomiskajam-socialajam-un-kulturas-tiesibam
6. Bezdarbnieku un darba meklētāju atbalsta likums. (2002.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/62539-bezdarbnieku-un-darba-mekletaju-atbalsta-likums
7. Bērnu tiesību aizsardzības likums. (1998.) LR likums [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/49096-bernu-tiesibu-aizsardzibas-likums
8. Darba likums. (2002.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/26019-darba-likums
9. Invaliditātes likums. (2011.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/211494-invaliditates-likums
10. Par valsts sociālo apdrošināšanu. (1998.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/45466-par-valsts-socialo-apdrosinasanu
11. Par sociālo drošību. (1995.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/36850-par-socialo-drosibu
12. Par valsts pensijām. (1996.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/38048-par-valsts-pensijam
13. Par maternitātes un slimības apdrošināšanu. (1997.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/38051-par-maternitates-un-slimibas-apdrosinasanu
14. Par palīdzību dzīvokļa jautājumu risināšanā. (2002.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/56812-par-palidzibu-dzivokla-jautajumu-risinasana
15. Par sociālajiem dzīvokļiem un sociālajām mājām. (1997.) LR likums [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/44160-par-socialajiem-dzivokliem-un-socialajam-dzivojamam-majam
16. Sociālo pakalpojumu un palīdzības likums. (2003.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/68488-socialo-pakalpojumu-un-socialas-palidzibas-likums
17. Valsts sociālo pabalstu likums. (2003.) LR likums. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/68483-valsts-socialo-pabalstu-likums

Notes

Compulsory study course for the faculty of Economics and Social Development academic bachelor study program "Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration".