On completion of this module, students should:  Have gained an understanding of  contemporary theories of the welfare state;  Develop knowledge of contemporary political economy debates and research on the gendered nature of the welfare state;  Develop an ability for critical analysis of key areas of research on the welfare state;  Develop an ability to evaluate empirical research and evidence of gender inequalities within contemporary welfare states.

(LO1) Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of contemporary theories of thewelfare state;

(LO2) Demonstrate an ability to critically engage with contemporary political economy debtates and research on the gendered nature of the welfare state

(LO3) Demonstrate critical and comparative analysis of key areasof research on the welfare state

(LO4) Demonstrate an ability to evaluate empirical research and evidence of gender inequalities within contemporary welfare states.

(S1) Communication Skills

(S2) Organisational Skills

The first part of the module will examine how social benefits, or welfare, have long been considered by some to be “social rights", following T.H. Marshall’s well-known conceptualization of civil, political and social rights.   We will read Lister with an eye to understanding this original formulation and how she and other feminists have critiqued it.  The students will be introduced  to the concept of social reproduction.

Some questions that arise from the readings include:

What, if anything, is the relationship between capitalism and patriarchy? What is ‘social reproduction’ and in what ways does it differ from ‘production’? In what ways might the concept of ‘social reproduction’ help us to think about the social relations that constitute the global political economy? Why might it be important to look at the household?

The second part of the module will move to discussions of citizenship and Sen and Nussbaum’s concept of capabilities will put political action (often termed political “agency”) front and centre in social policy debates.   This section of the course will explore the role of women and gender in the historical development of social policies.

We will particularly focus on the following questions: What historical roles have women played in influencing welfare state development? Does women’s participation in the social policy formation process have consequences for the policy outcomes?   What are the positive and negative aspects of “maternalist” and “paternalist” welfare politics? How do ideas – or "discourses” – about race, class, gender or sexuality impact welfare policies?

The final part of the module will aim to understand the gendered consequences of current austerity measures. We see that policies to regulate the economy have d ifferential effects on different genders with women bearing the biggest burden of the costs of recovery. The module will conclude by thinking about some of the ways in which we can imagine and work to bring about a more equitable and just world. What are some of the alternatives to the contemporary order posed by feminist scholars and activists? Do we think that these are feasible solutions? Which social forces (beyond feminist organizations and women's groups) might support these initiatives, and which might be opposed?

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Weekly lecture led by teaching staff
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Unscheduled Directed Student Hours (time spent away from the timetabled sessions but directed by the teaching staff): -

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Face to face synchronous seminars, safety permitting
Description: Weekly small group seminars
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided
Notes: These weekly classes will explore the material covered in the lecture as well as explore issues of gender inequalities through reflective essays written by the students