ECM185: Economics of Social Policy

Module code: ECM185

Module provider: Economics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Stephen Kastoryano , email: s.p.kastoryano@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is intended to cover the most important socio-economic policy issues of the day. Consequently, the topics may vary from year-to-year in order to reflect contemporary relevance. The emphasis will be on how economic analysis can contribute to the solution of domestic and international social problems. Indicative topics are: poverty, social exclusion, unemployment, migration, gender and racial wage gaps.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of selected socio-economic problems and issues faced by the UK and other countries;
2. Develop an appropriate economic framework and set of tools for analysing the issues;
3. Analyse the effectiveness or otherwise of different policy options.

Module content

This module is intended to cover the most important socio-economic policy issues of the day. Consequently, the topics may vary from year-to-year in order to reflect contemporary relevance. The emphasis will be on how economic analysis can contribute to the solution of domestic and international social problems. Indicative topics are: poverty, social exclusion, unemployment, migration, gender and racial wage gaps.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is delivered in weekly lectures and seminars. Students are expected to study the material provided, which could include lecture content and/or reading material, before each seminar. During the seminars, students will have a chance to discuss aspects of the topic studied, and can start preparing and discussing their assessed coursework.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.