Overview
Introduction
This two-year programme allows you to gain cross-cultural perspectives on social and public policy issues at two world-leading universities – in London (LSE) and Shanghai (Fudan University).
In the first year (at LSE), you’ll study the key ideas, concepts and theories of international social and public policy. You’ll delve into the root causes of social problems and analyse how governments, NGOs and other stakeholders tackle these issues. The second year (at Fudan University) focuses on social policy and governance in China – providing a contrasting cultural and academic experience.
You’ll build your knowledge of different policy research methodologies in Western and Asian cultures and learn how to apply them in practice.
All teaching at LSE and Fudan University is in English. However, you can take an introductory course in Mandarin at LSE and then develop your language proficiency further during your year in China.
On completion, you’ll be awarded a Master of International Social and Public Policy from LSE and a Master of Management in Public Policy from Fudan University.
With this double degree qualification and international experience, you’ll be well-prepared to lead and shape social and public policy in government, NGOs, international organisations or academia.
Preliminary readings
Extensive background reading is not essential but it is advisable for you to do some reading before commencing the programme. The following is a list of reading that will be useful for the compulsory courses during Year 1 at LSE in International Social and Public Policy:
- D Béland and R Mahon Advanced Introduction to Social Policy (Edward Elgar, 2016)
- T Faist Cross-Border Migration and Social Inequalities (Annual Review of Sociology, 42: 323-346, 2016)
- M Hill and F Varone The Public Policy Process, Seventh Edition (Routledge, 2017)
- J Howell and J Pearce Civil Society and Development: A critical exploration (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2001)
- T Mkandawire (ed.) Social Policy in a Development Context (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004)
- N Yeates (ed.) Understanding Global Social Policy, Second Edition (The Policy Press, 2014)
