16920

SoSe 21: Health versus economy? Introduction to the welfare state

Daniel Louis Nethery

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Subject: Since the middle of the twentieth century western European welfare states like Germany have experienced improved public health outcomes and sustained economic growth. Now that lockdowns and other measures in response to the pandemic appear to set economic and health outcomes at odds, there is no better time to ask: What is a welfare state? Program: We will discuss several influential theories of the welfare state and relate them to the history of the German welfare state, arguably the oldest in the world. Many of these theories are comparative, so you will hear other students talk about health and the economy in their countries, and you will present the situation in your own country to them. You will learn how approaches to the welfare state vary by discipline, and by the end of the course you will have combined these approaches to gain a broad understanding of the German welfare state today. You will also be able to place in theoretical perspective the responses of governments around the world to the pandemic. Is this course right for me? The course is open to students in the humanities, social sciences and cultural studies. There are no prerequisites, but you should be willing to read texts from a range of disciplines including sociology, politics, history and public policy. Workload and assessment: To qualify for 5 ECTS points you will need to attend the course regularly, engage with the course materials, and pass the final written examination. close