SOCIAL POLICIES: EUROPEAN ORIENTATIONS AND LOCAL CONTEXTS

Academic year
2026/2027 Syllabus of previous years
Official course title
POLITICHE DI WELFARE: ORIENTAMENTI EUROPEI E CONTESTI TERRITORIALI
Course code
EM1137 (AF:790381 AR:328645)
Teaching language
Italian
Modality
Blended (on campus and online classes)
ECTS credits
6
Degree level
Master's Degree Programme (DM270)
Academic Discipline
GSPS-05/A
Period
1st Term
Course year
2
Where
VENEZIA
Moodle
Go to Moodle page
The course is offered as an elective in the sociological area and contributes to the development of skills relevant to the analysis, design and implementation of public policies. It focuses on the relationship between European policy orientations, national welfare systems and territorial contexts, with particular attention to care policies.
By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and use the main theoretical and comparative approaches to welfare systems; assess the role of the European Union in social policy; analyse data, policy documents and comparative cases; and critically evaluate needs, accessibility, quality, inequalities, sustainability and the transferability of policy interventions across different institutional and territorial contexts.
No specific pre-requisites
The course examines the development and differentiation of European welfare systems, the main characteristics of the Italian welfare system, the social dimension of European integration, and processes of policy learning and policy transfer. Care policies constitute the main area of in-depth analysis, with a focus on the definition of needs, access to and quality of services, inequalities, sustainability, and the adaptation of innovations across different contexts.
Academic articles, institutional documents and other course materials will be indicated by the lecturer at the beginning of the course and made available through the Moodle platform.
Learning outcomes will be assessed through a written examination designed to evaluate students’ knowledge of the course content and their ability to use the main concepts and analytical tools appropriately. The examination will also assess the ability to interpret data and policy documents, make comparisons, connect theoretical and empirical aspects, and develop critical and context-sensitive arguments.
written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Grades are awarded on a thirty-point scale. A mark of 18/30 indicates a sufficient achievement of the learning objectives. Higher marks are awarded for in-depth knowledge, analytical ability, conceptual accuracy and independent critical thinking. Honours are reserved for exceptionally strong examinations.
The course is delivered in blended mode and combines in-person classes, synchronous online sessions and asynchronous online units. Teaching methods include theoretical presentations, guided discussions, analysis of documents and data, comparative case analysis, individual activities and interactive work aimed at the critical application of concepts.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development

Definitive programme.
Last update of the programme: 30/07/2026