Course „Social Policies in Europe“ 2018/19

Introductory seminar course (Proseminar) with on-campus phase at Malmö University / Sweden.
Bachelor „Pädagogik“. Offenes Wahlmodul B / D. 2×4 ECTS; Course No. 645.835. 
Short description in German here.
The course is offered in winter term 2018/19 for the 3rd time. It is based on a short term student exchange with our ERASMUS partner, the Department of Social Work at Malmö University.
The course aims to develop the students knowledge and understanding in relation to social policies within a European context, with a particular focus on the relevance for social work and social work practice. Further the course will focus on examining the diversity of European welfare models and to compare and contrast models of service delivery within social care and social work.
During the on-campus phase (29.1.-8.2.2019) in Malmö, students from all contributing partner universities (UK, USA, Germany, Sweden, Austria) will meet. The course will be taught by professors from the contributing partner universities, amongst them Jonas Christensen (Malmö) and Eberhard Raithelhuber (Salzburg).
More information on the course, provided by Malmö University,  here.
Link to the PLUS online description for Salzburg students  here.

Entry requirements

• Participation in the compulsory information meeting on Wednesday October 3, 2018, 11h a.m. (room 2.217 Unipark Nonntal). Everybody who wants to join the course has to show up. After having received general information on the course, including the 10 days in Malmö, those who are interested have to submit a binding letter of intent via email to the Salzburg teacher (Raithelhuber) till Oct. 8, 23:59h. He will nominate 10-15 students who will be invited to join the course until October 10, 2018.
• For those who are accepted: Participation in the 1st regular preparatory meeting on Wednesday October 31, 9-13h (including an online course on „Migration in Comparision“ organized by Malmö University from 10-12h) and participation in the preparatory meetings on Wednesday November 14 and 28, 11-13h, room 2.208. 
• Recommended study progress for Salzburg students: 30 ECTS
• Language skills: The equivalent of English B in Swedish secondary school (language skills will not be examined formally for students from Salzburg)

Assessments (Exam Method and Evaluation)

The grading for students from Salzburg will be based on an individual term paper („Seminararbeit“, weight: 50%, to be handed in before the on campus days in Malmö in Jan/Feb 2019) and on an oral presentation of the group work during the seminar days in Malmö (weight: 50%).
The focus of the term paper is on comparative aspects on social policy and social work. The research question needs to be connected to one of the four themes running through the course (children and family, ageing, migration, and drug addiction). It will be determined at an early stage (approx. October) in a meeting with the teacher from Salzburg (Raithelhuber).
The focus in the oral assessment (at the end of the days in Malmö) is based on the ability to argue and justify choices made and to reflect on these choices and the social policy implementation and its consequences in social work. In order to achieve a passing grade on the course in its entirety, the grade of pass is required for each examination.

Costs for travelling and accomodation – grants

Course participation is free of charge. Students have to calculate approx. 200 Euros for accommodation (e.g. shared rooms, 4 beds at the youth hostel) and about 150-200 Euros for the return flight from Munich to Copenhagen.
Students from Salzburg can apply individually for a “Stipendium für kurzfristige fachspezifische Kurse im Ausland” (scholarship for short-time specialist trainings abroad), deadline: November 15, 2018) at the International Office of our University. Every applicant can be awarded with a grant of approx. 400 Euros.
The positive approval of the applications, which will be supported by the local ERASMUS Coordinator, Eberhard Raithelhuber, is most likely.

Recognition of ECTS at the University of Salzburg

For administrative and technical reasons, the course within the BA study program “Pädagogik” in Salzburgis is split into two numbers: 645.835 (4 ECTS) and 645.836 (another 4 ECTS). To avoid confusion, the inscription is only possible through course number 645.835. Students who will be accepted will automatically be added to the other course through our office of student affairs at the department. 
The overall course encompasses a large workload (8 ECTS = 200 hours workload), with approx. 1/3 contact time with the teacher(s). Contact time will include the preparatoy meetings of the Salzburg group in October and November, as well as the on campus days in Malmö. However, it is recommended that students organize in small groups to continuously read and discuss the compulsory literature from October 2018 to January 2019 as a form of getting prepared for the international meeting, as well as to have a good basis for the individual term paper and the oral presentation in Malmö. 

Course literature and other teaching materials

• Alcock P, Craig G, (2009) International Social Policy: Welfare Regimes in the Developing World. London: Palgrave Macmillan. 320 p.
• van Ewijk, H. (Ed.). (2009). European social policy and social work. Citizenship-based social work. London: Routledge. 192 p.
• Scientific papers, case studies and input to be added est. around 300 p.