Marina Adler, Ph.D.
Office: 355 Academic IV B-wing
Phone: 455-3155
Office Hours: Tu, Th and by appointment
E-Mail: mailto:adler@umbc.edu
COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES
This course examines cross-national variation in welfare state regimes and social policies. We will learn how history, culture, politics, economic systems, gender inequality, and family relationships have shaped the development and content of social policies in industrialized countries. The policies of special interest are poverty assistance and family policy, but we will also cover some health care and old age provision issues. The welfare state is based on various norms and values, such as equality, community, cooperation, solidarity, individual responsibility, and social rights. Using different theoretical frameworks about the welfare state and social policy formation, the course will focus on historical and comparative analyses of policies in U.S., Western and Eastern European nations, and some other industrialized countries. During the course students should learn to:
? understand welfare state and social policy development in historical and comparative perspective.
? understand current empirical patterns related to variations in social policy.
? analyze, compare, synthesize, and critique scholarly work in this research area.
? ask and answer important questions related to American policy analysis based on international comparisons.
According to the dictionary, a seminar is "a group of advanced students studying with a professor, each doing some original research and all exchanging results by informal presentations, reports and discussion." This seminar is intended to be a participatory experience. It includes short lectures, lengthy discussions, and some analytic exercises. These activities, as well as student-directed learning and participation in general, are aimed at sharpening critical thinking and debating skills. The international nature of the course exposes students to a variety of cultural patterns in the links among welfare state, economy and social policies. Intellectual curiosity, initiative, eagerness to learn, and willingness to work hard will be rewarded. I am hoping we can establish a comfortable learning environment based on cooperation and collaboration rather than competition. One goal for this course is to create a sense of community. In order to accomplish this you need to take a productive role in your educational experience and actively engage in this class. We will create our own e-mail discussion list to optimize student-teacher and student-student interaction.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Readings
Required Texts:
Clasen, Jochen (ed.). 1999. Comparative Social Policy. Blackwell Publishers: Malden, MA..
Class Participation and Attendance
The readings are assigned for each class meeting and students are expected to be familiar with the material when it is assigned. Since this course is taught as a seminar, students should attend class regularly and inform the instructor of any scheduling problems. All students should be prepared to summarize and critique the assigned readings in order to facilitate in-class discussion. The instructor reserves the right to ask students specific questions about the assigned materials. She will also post discussion questions on our discussion list. Shy students are especially encouraged to share their thoughts about the readings with the instructor and their classmates via e-mail. Every student is required to answer questions and comment on the readings.
Reading Essays
All students will prepare two reading essays consisting of answers to questions distributed in class. These will be collected on days noted on the schedule. You may either turn them in typed on paper or via e-mail. Handwritten work will NOT be accepted (no exceptions). Graduate students are expected to discuss more readings in a more thorough manner than undergraduates.
Book Review and Presentation
One of the requirements of this course is a short paper (5 typed, double-spaced pages) and associated presentation (10 minutes), focusing on a book of your choice from those listed below the syllabus. You will select your book (which has a week associated with it) in the first or second class period. Undergraduates may work in pairs. Two copies of the paper must be submitted no later than one week after the class presentation. This is not simply a book report or book summary. Although you should briefly describe the key arguments and findings of the author, you should focus on how this particular book relates to the theoretical and conceptual issues discussed in class or covered in other readings. You must also provide a critical assessment of the arguments and/or data presented in the book. At the end of your class presentation you should be prepared to pose discussion questions and answer questions. Examples of professional book reviews are forthcoming.
Research Paper or Take-Home Final Exam Options
Students have the option of either writing a research paper or taking a take-home final. Students may not choose both options.
1. Research Paper Option:
One option for the research paper is to find a social policy in the U.S. and compare the actual policy statement to the equivalent in another country. This can be done by analyzing the current content or the historical development of the content based on the cultural context of policy formation. The language, timing and legal context give important clues on who benefits and who does not. The research would also entail collecting data on the extent of the problem the policy seeks to address (health, family, poverty, etc.). Acceptable paper topics include: (1) cross-national analyses of welfare state development; (2) case studies of a particular country in terms of social policy development; (3) comparative policy analysis of one type of social policy in two or more countries; (4) comparison of empirical effects of various social policies on subsections of the population (children, women, the aged, the disabled, minorities, etc.) in two or more countries. Undergraduates may work in pairs. Graduate students work alone and present their paper in class. You have to submit your paper topic outline for approval by the date specified on the syllabus. Specifics on the paper are forthcoming.
2. Take-Home Final Exam Option:
You will receive your final exam on the last day of class and have to turn it in on the official final exam day. You will have to sign an honor code. The exam will consist of several essay questions covering the material of this course. It tests your comprehension of the readings, lectures, and discussions, and your ability to integrate this material according to substantive, theoretical, and empirical issues.
Extra Credit
You may receive a maximum of 10 extra credit points: (1) You may either bring in up to five newspaper/magazine articles dealing with a social policy issue, including your brief comments on how it is relevant to the course; OR (2) Keep a "course journal," which contains your reactions to readings, films, discussions and other related materials related to your "learning" the issues. You may NOT choose both options. Students who are particularly active (contribute regularly in a substantively important manner) on our e-mail discussion list may also receive extra credit.
EVALUATION
Final grades are determined by the total number of points earned in the semester based on one (1) research paper or take-home final exam, two (2) reading essays, one (1) book review with presentation to the class (undergraduates can work in pairs), and discussion participation in class meetings (regular attendance, completion of reading summaries and exercises) and/or via e-mail. Graduate students present their paper in class. If, at any time during the semester you encounter difficulties or special circumstances, contact the instructor immediately in order to work out solutions as soon as possible.
Assessment of course
work: In general you can expect a B grade if you attend class regularly,
participate, complete good assignments on time, and produce a solid research
paper. Especially insightful in-class participation, extra effort, and
excellent written work will increase the grade. Sloppy and/or late work,
infrequent class attendance and participation will reduce the grade. Specifically,
an A means excellent work, which demonstrated comprehensive command
of course content, exceptional ability to apply concepts, superior ability
to organize and express ideas, and critical thinking, good attendance and
participation. A B means good work, which demonstrates solid command
of course content, good ability to apply concepts, good organization and
expression of ideas, regular attendance and participation. A C means fair
work, implying acceptable command of course content, basic ability
to apply concepts, and moderate organization and expression of ideas, moderate
attendance and participation. A D means marginal work, with little
command of course content, some ability to apply concepts, and limited
ability to organize and express ideas, irregular attendance and participation.
An F means unacceptable work and implies lack of command of course
content, inability to apply concepts, to organize and express ideas, lack
of attendance and participation.
POLICIES
It is the responsibility of the student to prepare assigned materials on time and to discuss problems with deadlines with the instructor. Deadlines missed without promptly (contact the instructor on the same day as the missed deadline) presenting a valid excuse and conference with the instructor will be counted as "0" points for the scheduled assignment (no exceptions). Any cases of academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism will be called to the attention of the administration and prosecuted.
Late work is strongly discouraged and will only be accepted without point deduction in cases of verifiably legitimate reasons (proof of illness or other severe circumstances) for the delay. It is the responsibility of the student to prepare assigned materials on time and to discuss problems with deadlines with the instructor. Excessive absences or tardiness, and lack of an e-mail account (that should be checked twice a week) will affect your final grade negatively. You are responsible for being informed about any scheduling changes or announcements about assignments made in class or via e-mail. It is your responsibility to communicate with the instructor in person, via e-mail, or telephone. Plan ahead in completing assignments. For your own protection, photocopy all assignments before turning them in.
I expect students to create a comfortable class environment by sharing ideas, observations, and questions in a respectful manner. Effective communication is based on mutual respect and listening without interrupting. Since I consider teaching an interactive process, I encourage you to stop by during my office hours or to make an appointment to discuss your progress or that of the class.
COURSE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Readings are due on the date they are mentioned on the schedule
Week 1: 8/31 Introduction to the course
Goals of the course
Overview of the issues in the sociology of the welfare state and social policy
Homework for next time: find a map of the world with names of all countries, copy it, and bring it to class each time.
Week 2: 9/7 Identifying the subject: Social policy and welfare states
What is welfare? What are welfare states? What are social policies?
? Pierson&Castels, pp.1-31
? Clasen, Chapters 1 and 2 (pp.1-33)
Week 3: 9/14 The welfare state and social policy in historical perspective
Classical theories and their critiques
? Pierson&Castles, pp. 32-50
? Clasen, Chapter 3 (pp.34-56)
? Julia S. O’Connor. 1996. "Dependence, Independence, and Interdependence." Current Sociology 44:30-47.
Week 4: 9/21 Different perspectives on welfare states and social policies
Social democratic, Marxist, and conservative views
Book reviews: Classic scholarship about the welfare state
? Pierson&Castles, pp.51-118
Week 5: 9/28 Capitalism, social values, and "gendered" welfare state regimes
Feminist critiques: What about values like equality, community, cooperation, solidarity, individual responsibility, and citizenship?
Book reviews: Gender and the welfare state
? Pierson&Castles, pp. 119-150
? Pascall, Gillian. 1997. Social Policy. A New Feminist Analysis. London:Routledge. Chapter 1: "Social Policy: a feminist critique." (Pp.1-29).
? Sainsbury, Diane. 1994. "Women’s and men’s social rights: Gendering dimensions of welfare states." pp.151-
169 in Diane Sainsbury Gendering Welfare States Sage: London.
? Julia S. O’Connor. 1996. "Understanding women in welfare states." Current Sociology 44:1-12.
Week 6: 10/5 The American "welfare state" in historical and comparative perspective
From the "New Deal" to "Welfare-to-Work": Why is America the "cheapest" country?
Book reviews: Gender and the welfare state
Book reviews: The American welfare state
? Pierson&Castles, pp. 154-190
? Theda Skochpol. 1995. "State Formation and Social Policy in the United States." Pp. 11-36 in Social Policy in the United States. Princeton University Press:Princeton, NJ.
Week 7: 10/12 Poverty and social assistance
"Welfare reform" vs. ending poverty
Book reviews: American welfare state
? Clasen Chapter 7
? Schram, Sanford F. 2000.
"Where the Welfare Queen Resides. The Subtext of Personal Responsibility."
Pp. 27-58 in After Welfare. The Culture of Postindustrial Social Policy.
New York University Press: New York.
? Theda Skochpol. 1995.
"Targeting within Universalism: Politically viable Policies to Combat Poverty
in the United States." Pp. 250-274 in Social Policy in the United States.
Princeton University Press:Princeton, NJ.
Paper Topic due 10/12
Week 8: 10/19 The well-being of women and children (family policy)
Why is the U.S. the only Western industrial country without a comprehensive national family policy? Why are so many children in poverty?
Book reviews: Family policy
? Clasen Chapter 6
? Wennemo, Irene. 1992. "The Development of Family Policy: A Comparison of Family Benefits and Tax Reductions for Families in 18 OECD Countries." Acta Sociologica 35:201-217.
? Williams, Fiona. 1995. "Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Class in Welfare States: A Framework for Comparative Analysis." Social Politics 2: 127-159.
Week 9: 10/26 Lone motherhood in comparison
Are single moms ‘singled out’?
Book reviews: Family policy
? Clasen Chapter 10
? Stoltz, Pauline. 1997. "Single mothers and dilemmas of universal social policies." Journal of Social Policy 26:425-444.
? Gornick, Jane C. , Marcia K.Meyers, Katherin E. Ross. 1997. "Supporting the employment of mothers: Policy variation across fourteen welfare states." Journal of European Social Policy 7:45-70.
Week 10: 11/2 Access to health care
Why do all other industrialized countries have national health care programs, except the U.S.?
Book reviews: Health care
? Clasen Chapter 5
? Consumer Reports. "Health Insurance Report," September 2000 issue, pp. 42-50.
? Skochpol, Theda. 1995.
"Is the Time Finally Ripe? Health Insurance Reforms in the 1990s." Pp.
275-292 in Social Policy in the United States.
Reading Essay 1 due 11/2
Week 11: 11/9 Public provisions for old age
Is the old age crisis inevitable?
Book reviews: Old age pensions
? Clasen Chapter 8 and 12
? Pierson&Castles, pp. 271-308.
Week 12:11/16 Post-socialist countries
How has the economic transition affected social provisions in Eastern Europe
Book reviews: Comparative social policy
? Ferge, Zsuzsa. 1997. "The perils of the welfare state’s withdrawal." Social Research 64: 1381-1402.
? Kapstein, Ethan B. 1997. "Social Policy and the transition." Social Research 64:1423-1443.
? Social Politics 1: Haney, pp. 208-244.
? Makkai, Toni. 1994. "Social policy and gender in Eastern Europe." Pp. 188-205 in Diane Siansbury (ed.) Gendering Welfare States. Sage: London.
Week 13: 11/23 Thanksgiving, no class
Enjoy!
Week 14: 11/30 Is the Welfare State in crisis?
American and European social policy in the 21st century: What about citizenship rights, human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights?
? Pierson&Castles, pp.309-379
Student presentations
Reading Essay 2 due 11/30
Week 15: 12/7 Last day of class
Student presentations - bring some goodies to share!
Pick up Take-Home Final Exam
Research Paper due 12/7
Take-Home Final due on final exam day
____________________________________________________________________________
The following books are on reserve or available from me ( >> ), or can be ordered via interlibrary loan. You have to select one ASAP for the required book review:
Classic and general Scholarship on the Welfare State: (week 4)
>> Block, F., R.A. Cloward, B. Ehrenreich, F.F. Piven. 1987. The Mean Season. The Attack on the Welfare State. Pathenon Books: New York.
>> Bonoli, Guiliano, V. George, P. Taylor-Gooby. 2000. European Welfare Futures. Towards a Theory of Retrenchment. Polity Press: Cambridge.
Esping-Andersen, G. 1990. Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. Cambridge, CA: Polity Press.
>> Mishra, Ramesh. 1981. Society and Social Policy: Theories and Practice.
Mishra, R. 1984. The Welfare State in Crisis: Social Thought and Social Change. New York: St Martin's Press.
Mishra, R. 1990. The Welfare State in Capitalist Society. University of Toronto Press.
Piven, F.F. and R. Cloward. 1971. Regulating the Poor: The Functions of Public Welfare. New York:Random House.
Titmuss, R. 1958. Essays on the Welfare State. London: Allen and Unwin.
Wilensky, H. 1975. The Welfare State and Equality. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Gender and the Welfare State: (week 5 and 6)
Chow, E.N. and C.W. Berheide. 1994. Women, the Family, and Policy: A Global Perspective. Albany: SUNY Press.
>> Current Sociology Issue 44, 1996 (edited by Julia O'Connor): Trend Reports: From Women in the Welfare State to Gendering Welfare States.
>> Gordon, L. (ed). 1990. Women, the State, and Welfare. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.
>> Lewis, Jane. 1993. Women and Social Policies in Europe.
>> Sainsbury, D.(ed.) 1994. Gendering Welfare States. London: Sage.
>> Sainsbury, D. 1999. Gender and Welfare State Regimes.
>> or review the following set of articles instead of a book:
? Langan, Mary and Ilona Ostner. 1991. "Gender and Welfare." Pp.126-150 in Graham Room Towards a European Welfare State? SAUS Publ.: Bristol, U.K.
? Fraser, Nancy and Linda Gordon. 1994. "‘Dependency’ demystified: Inscriptions of power in a keyword of the
welfare state." Social Politics 1:4-31.
? Orloff, Ann Shola. 1993. "Gender and Social Rights of Citizenship: The Comparative Analysis of Gender Relations and Welfare States." American Sociological Review 58:303-328.
? Bussemaker and van Kersbergen. 1994. "Gender and welfare states: Some theoretical reflections." pp. 9-25 in Diane Sainsbury Gendering Welfare States. Sage: London.
? Julia S. O’Connor. 1996. "Citizenship, welfare state regimes and gender stratification." Current Sociology 44:48-77.
The American Welfare State: (week 6 and 7)
Bane, Mary Jo and Ellwood, David. 1994. Welfare Realities: From Rhetoric to Reform. Harvard University Press.
>> Domhoff, William G. 1990. The Power Ellite and the State: How Policy is made in America. New York: Aldine De Gruyter.
>> Quadagno, J. 1994. The Color of Welfare: How Racism Undermined the War on Poverty. New York:Oxford Press.
Skocpol, T. 1992. Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
>> Skocpol, T. 1995. Social Policy in the United States: Future Possibilities in the Historical Perspective. Princeton, NJ:Princeton University Press.
>> Wilson, W.J. 1987. The Truly Disadvantaged: The Inner City, the Underclass, and Public Policy.
Family Policy (week 8 and 9)
>> Ellwood, David. 1988. Poor Support: Poverty in the American Family. New York:Basic.
Lewis, Jane (ed.). 1997. Lone Mothers in European Welfare State Regimes. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
O'Connor, Julia S., Ann Shola Orloff, Sheila Shaver. 1999. States, Markets, Families. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Koven, S. and S. Michel (eds.). 1993. Mothers of a New World. New York: Routledge.
Vogel, Lise. 1993. Mothers on the Job: Maternity Policy in the U.S. Workplace. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
Health Care (week 10)
>> Ruggie, Mary. 1996. Realignment in the Welfare State: Health Policies.
>> Wall, Ann (ed). 1996. Health Care Systems in Liberal Democracies. Routledge: New York.
Old-Age Pensions (week 11)
>> Myles, J. and J. Quadagno (eds.) 1991. States, Labor Markets, and the Future of Old-Age Policy. Philadelphia:Temple University Press.
>> Quadagno, Jill. 1988. The Transformation of Old Age Policy.
Williamson, John and Fred Pampel. 1993. Old-Age Security in Comparative Perspective. Oxford:Oxford University Press.
Comparative Social Policy: (week 12)
>> Hantrais, Linda. Social Policy in the European Union. St. Martin's Press: New York.
Hill, Michael. 1996 Social Policy: A Comparative Analysis. London: Prentice Hall.
Heidenheimer, Arnold, Hugo Heclo, and Carolyn Adams (eds.) 1990. Comparative Public Policy: The Politics of Social Choice in America, Europe and Japan. 3rd Edition. St. Martin's Press
>> Pascal, Gillian. 1997. Social Policy. A New Feminist Analysis. London: Routledge.