OAFP 6225 - Social inequality and the welfare state: intersecting issues of gender, class and ethnicity

How does the welfare state mitigate, reproduce or accentuate social inequalities? This course aims to address this question and to analyse the welfare state and social policies using an intersectional framework to address social inequalities through the lenses of gender, class and ethnicity. We will discuss the different critical perspectives that have developed in relation to mainstream welfare state scholarship, highlighting the normative and power dimensions embedded in the development of welfare states. We will also analyse specific social policy fields (family policy, the organization of care work in a global perspective, labour market policy…), mapping out the different patterns of inequalities that prevail across these different sectors in different countries and how these can be related to different welfare regimes.

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Most sessions will start with a lecture part followed by a discussion of the required course readings. Group work and presentations will also constitute an important part of the course. This requires that students read the assigned readings and come prepared to present and discuss them.

2 critical reflection papers (1500 words) based on the course readings (4 texts): 2 x 30%.

Usually 1 or 2 texts to read for each session, prepare questions for discussion; personal research and group work.