Sociology: Development and Social Welfare Policies

This course investigates how issues like poverty and inequality influence policy decisions in different parts of the world, and why some groups of people might be left out or disadvantaged when welfare systems are designed or implemented. Through real-world case studies and critical perspectives, you will examine how welfare structures are shaped by economic and political decisions.

Sociology helps us understand how societies function and change. In this course you will learn to apply sociological tools to understand why some communities thrive while others struggle. You will also challenge yourself to think critically about global inequality and discover how policies can make a difference in people’s social and economic opportunities.

Please note! This is a so-called theme course, which means it does not qualify you for higher-level sociology courses. It can be studied without previous university merits. If you’re unsure what this means for your studies, please contact our Study Advisers at studievagledare [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se.

Course syllabus

The syllabus contains the formal and legal details of the entire course. It’s a legal document outlining the course structure and requirements, intended mainly for administrative use.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

At the Department of Sociology in Lund you learn from teachers who are active researchers, offering insights into the latest research. The course is taught in English and combines lectures with interactive seminars that require your active participation. You work individually and in groups, with continuous assessment through oral and written assignments, and finish with a final exam.

The course consists of two modules:

Module 1: Social Policies in Development Strategies (7.5 credits)

You will explore theories on redistributive policies, such as taxes, social transfers, and welfare programmes, and how they aim to reduce inequality and support development. You compare how such policies are used in developing and more developed countries and analyse how politics and ideology shape them.

Module 2: Contemporary Social Policies (7.5 credits)

This module focuses on regions including Asia, Latin America, and Africa. We examine how international development organisations influence policy choices and review practical methods to reduce poverty and inequality. Examples include microcredit programmes, providing small loans to support entrepreneurship, and conditional cash transfers, offering financial support to families in exchange for goals such as keeping children in school. The aim is to understand how well these methods work in different development contexts.

This course provides a foundational understanding of global welfare systems and development strategies from a sociological perspective. It is especially relevant if you are interested in international development or policy analysis, and it can complement further studies in sociology and related fields. You will gain insights and analytical skills that are valuable for careers in international organisations, NGOs, and public policy. Most importantly, this course helps you connect theory with real-world strategies for reducing inequality.

Please note: This is a theme course, which means it does not qualify you for higher-level sociology courses. 

Entry requirements

General requirements and studies equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary School course Social Studies 1b or 1a1+1a2/Social Studies level 1b or level 1a2

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 34 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 32 %. If students have equal credentials, seats are allocated based on their results on The Swedish National University Aptitude Test. If this too is equal, seats are allocated based on a draw.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 31,250
First payment: SEK 31,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.