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POL 466: SOCIAL POLICY

Ankara University

Faculty of Political Sciences

Department of Politics and Economics

 

Spring 2026

Classroom Z05

Fridays, 13.30-16.30

 

Dr Sezer Alcan

alcansezer@gmail.com

 

Course Description: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to social policy, exploring its historical development, and practical applications. Key topics such as welfare states, employment and wage protection policies, social security systems, and targeted policies for women, children, youth, and poverty and income protection policies will be examined. The course also covers tools for policy analysis and the impact of globalization on social policy.

 

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and explain key concepts in social policy.
• Understand the historical and global context of social policy.
• Analyze and compare different welfare state models.
• Apply policy analysis tools to evaluate social policies.
• Critically assess policies related to employment, poverty, social security, and vulnerable populations.
• Propose solutions to current social policy challenges.

 

Recommended Sources:

 

-Spicker, P. (2014). Social policy: Theory and practice. Policy Press.

-Alcock, P., Haux, T., McCall, V., & May, M. (Eds.). (2022). The student's companion to social policy. John Wiley & Sons.

-Anadolu Ünı̇versı̇tesı̇ Yayını No: 3318 Açıköğretı̇m Fakültesı̇ Yayını No: 2178; Sosyal Polı̇tı̇ka I.

-Anadolu Ünı̇versı̇tesı̇ Yayını No: 2878 Açıköğretı̇m Fakültesı̇ Yayını No: 1835; Sosyal Polı̇tı̇ka II.

 

Course Requirement and Evaluation:

Midterm          :40 %

Final                :60 %

The final course grade is calculated as the weighted average of the midterm exam (40%) and the final exam (60%), in line with the university's standard weighting principles.

 

Bonus Points Students are encouraged to deliver 8–10 minute presentations on current social policy issues (drawn from newspapers or magazines) up to two times during the semester. These presentations may address issues from anywhere in the world, but must include a critical analysis and evaluation of the relevant social policies.

The subject of each presentation must be approved by the instructor in advance; otherwise, no bonus points will be awarded.

Bonus points will be added to the final exam grade and awarded to students who attend at least 80% of classes, as follows:

• 1 presentation = 5%
• 2 presentations = 8%

Attendance Policy: Students are required to attend classes in accordance with Article 38 of the Regulation of Undergraduate and Associate Degree Education at Ankara University.

Class Participation: Required papers will be discussed during classes, and students are expected to come prepared and actively participate in class discussions. Class participation will be taken into account when determining letter grades at the end of the semester.

 

Course Outline

 

Week 1: Introduction: What is Social Policy

Week 2: Introduction: What is Social Policy (continued), Welfare States

Week 3: Welfare States (Continued)

Week 4: Historical Background of Social Policy

Week 5: Tools for Policy Analysis

Week 6: Employment and Unemployment Policies

Week 7: Wage and Wage Protection Policies

Midterm

Week 8: Poverty and Income Protection Policies

 

Week 9: Social Security

Week 10: Social Security (Continued)

Week 11: Social Policies for Women and Women Employment

Week 12: Social Policies for Children and Youth Employment

Week 13: Globalization and Social Policy

Week 14: Course Review and Final Discussions

 

Course content may be revised during the semester if necessary.