General description
The course introduces students with the trends of the family transformations in EU member states, with basic concepts and measures of family policies and its’ research. Much attention is paid to the assessment of family policy measures with regard to the promotion of work-family reconciliation and gender equality in European societies. Key issues for the course are such: Family transformation in EU member states; The theoretical approach to family policy research; Family policy models; Measures of family policy in EU; The consequences of family policies.
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to deepen students’ theoretical knowledge on family policy and to enhance students’ practical skills in its advanced research, paying special attention to the comparative analysis and family policy measures in different welfare regimes.
On completion of the course, students will obtain knowledge and skills that enable them:
- to analyse the family as social institution;
- to describe the theoretical approaches for family policy research;
- to identify and describe family policy models
- identify, describe and analyse measures of family policies applied at theoretical, EU and national levels in various stages of the family life
- to critically assess the consequences of family policies in EU and member states
Contents
Family transformation in EU member states: Dynamics of fertility and partnership statistics. New partnership patterns (cohabitation, LAT, etc.). Divorces. One-parent families. Single motherhood.
The theoretical approach to family policy research: Three conceptualisations of family policies. The ‘narrow’ and ‘broad’ concept of family policies.
Family policy models: Subjects and objects of family policies. The market–state–family relationship in welfare regimes.
Measures of family policy in EU: Family-friendly environment. Measures for the work-family reconciliation and gender equality promotion. Flexible working-time arrangements. Parental leave facilities. Childcare services. Financial allowances.
The consequences of family policies: The impact of family policies on matrimonial and procreative behavior / statistics. The evaluation of the objectives and measures for family formation and fertility encouragement in EU member states. Family policy development provisions in international documents / legislation.
Teaching methods
Introductory lectures during Intensive Programme, afterwards discussion boards and tutoring supported by Moodle and individual studies of the theoretical literature and other sources of course.
Teaching language
EnglishModes of study
Attendance obligatory for those who will take the course as alternative.
Students are allocated 4 ECTS credit points for the work done, which includes active participation in on-line discussions, independent (individual) work - reading and study of the course materials and writing of final paper (20.000 characters of actual text) in one of the areas covered in the course.
Evaluation and evaluation criteria
Numeric 1-5.Cumulative grade: 70% final paper and 30% participation in the discussions.
Study materials
Reading list will be announced at the beginning of the course.
