Study:	Social Work - 6. semester
Code:	37660
ECTS:	3.0
Course coordinators:	prof. dr. sc. Zoran Šućur

Literature:

V. Puljiz, G. Bežovan, Z. Šućur, S. Zrinščak; Socijalna politika. Povijest. Sustavi. Pojmovnik; Zagreb: Pravni fakultet (2005), str. 271-315 Vlado Puljiz, Gojko Bežovan, Teo Matković, dr. Zoran Šućur, Siniša Zrinščak; Socijalna politika Hrvatske; Pravni fakultet u Zagrebu (2008), str. 219-277 John Ditch; Comparative Social Assistance; Ashgate Publishing (1997), str. [object Object] N. Stropnik; Minimalni dohodak i novčana socijalna pomoć u državama Europske unije; Revija za socijalnu politiku, 8(1) (2001), str. 35-52 P. Bejaković; Borba protiv siromaštva u SAD; Revija za socijalnu politiku, 7(2) (2000), str. 147-162

Description:

Through this course students are introduced in more detail to the residual, but important social welfare system, such as social assistance. The course helps the students to understand the changes that occur in social assistance, as well as efforts of reform in this area. The students acquire knowledge and information about social assistance in different countries viewed from a comparative perspective. The students are also able to learn the methodology of evaluating the efficiency of social assistance schemes and critically discussing main problems of this system in our country. Finally, this course is directed towards gaining practical knowledge connected with the problems of targeting and efficiency of social assistance. Course description - Concept, types and functions of social assistance - Models (regimes) of social assistance - Social assistance in Germany - Social assistance in Sweden - Social assistance in the USA - Historical development of social assistance in the Republic of Croatia - Structure of social assistance benefits in the Republic of Croatia and reformative efforts - Determinants of (non)-take-up behaviour in social assistance - Time perspective in social assistance (the problem of dependency) - Financial incentives in social assistance - Indicators of social assistance efficiency - Personal social services

Cognitive Skills:

After successfully completing the course, students will be able to:

1. classify or group countries according to the characteristics of their social assistance systems in familiar models or regimes of assistance

2. describe and explain recent changes and reform trends that occur in social assistance systems of Croatia and other European countries

3. indicate and critically evaluate good and bad sides of social assistance systems in Croatia and selected countries

4. explain the problem of the failure to realise rights in social assistance system and its relevance from the aspect of social justice and efficiency of social programs

5. indicate and explain basic criteria of directionality and efficiency of social assistance programs

6. name and compare main programs of monetary assistance in Croatia and selected countries.

Practical and Generic Skills:

After successfully completing the course, students will be able to:

- publicly present acquired knowledge and skills orally and in writing

. clearly and argumentedly explain their standpoints

- analyse and interpret the data about social assistance from statistical and other sources

Matching Assessments to Learning Outcomes:

Forms of testing knowledge

1.1. Mid-term examination

1.2. Oral examination

1.3. Presentation on the topic not covered in the course contents

1.1. Mid-term examination

Mid-term examination is a form of testing knowledge in which the student has to demonstrate that he or she can define basic concepts, compare and explain the differences and similarities between concepts and approaches, explain the structure of social assistance systems in selected countries. Two mid-term examinations which are not obligatory can be taken during the semester. Each mid-term covers 50% of the topics covered in classes. Students who are positively graded in both mid-term exams take final oral examination. Each mid-term exam consist of 10 questions with open answers, and 0, 1 or 2 points can be given for each answer.

Grading system is as follows:

0-10 insuffficient (1)

11-12 sufficient (2)

13-15 good (3)

16-17 very good (4)

18-20 excellent (5)

Mid-term grade is an arithemtic mean of grades achieved in both mid-term examinations.

1.2. Oral examination

Oral examination includes questions that required understanding of concepts and theoretical approaches and their comparison, explanation and connection of facts, application of concepts and theoretical approaches to social reality.

Final course grade is formed an am aritmetic mean of grades achieved in mid-term or writtten examination and oral examination.

1.3. Presentation

During semseter the students may choose a specific topic (not covered by course contsnts) and prepare an oral presentation about it. The students who successfully present their topic earn 2 points inmid-term examination or their presentation accounts for 20% of the oral examination.

Consultations schedule:

• prof. dr. sc. Zoran Šućur:

  Mon13:00-14:00 & Thurs 12:00-13:00

  Location: Nazorova 51, room 1