COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: POLITICS OF INEQUALITY

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
PIR 317	C	5	3	0	0	3	5

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	NA
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Endrit Shabani eshabani@epoka.edu.al , Friday, 09:00 - 09:40
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Elective
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:	104
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:
Course Description:	This course takes a cross-national comparative approach, and therefore it relies on political science literature. However, references are made to crucial texts from other disciplines, such as economics, sociology and psychology. Over the course of the module students will examine inequality at three levels, at the global level, among social groups at the national level, and at a personal level. Firstly, at the international level, this course explores the level of economic inequality between regions and nations, drawing a comparison between the world's wealthy democracies of America and the poor dictatorships of Africa. Empirical case studies will be discussed to look for explanations on historical, cultural, economic and social elements that might have contributed to the creation of the centre and the periphery of the world. Secondly, at the national level, the course explores the multidimensional nature of inequality, analysing the distribution of power in society, and analysing the relationship between economic power, political participation and access to the decisionmaking processes. The module will also consider the role of the welfare state and potential interventions that can be taken at the political level to have an equal society. Thirdly, at a personal level, the course focuses on people's behaviour within a particular political system and influenced by a certain ideology. Students will examine how inequality affects voter's behaviours and the impact it might have in deepening the divide between social groups. For their assignments, students will work with public data sets, in order to examine the inequality at the global level, and in particular countries.
Course Objectives:	This course strives to deepen students' comprehension of inequality and its associated discourse. It equips students with essential theoretical and methodological tools for studying inequality and its societal ramifications, addressing economic, political, and social facets. Through a comprehensive approach, it explores the root causes of inequality and examines the institutional and personal consequences of heightened inequality levels

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1

Inequality, within the context of social sciences and economics, can be defined as the uneven distribution of resources, opportunities, or outcomes among individuals, groups, or entities within a society or a specified area. This disparity may manifest in various dimensions, including income, wealth, education, access to healthcare, and social status, and can result from a multitude of factors, such as economic structures, historical legacies, and policy choices.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	What is inequality, how to define and study it? In this lecture, we will delve into the multifaceted concept of inequality. We'll explore various definitions of inequality and cover different ways to measure it, including metrics like income, wealth, education, and social mobility. Additionally, we will discuss methods to compare countries and regions based on the level of inequality, offering a comprehensive understanding of this critical topic
2	Political, economic and social inequality This lecture will focus on the three interconnected dimensions of inequality: political, economic, and social. We will examine political inequality, which concerns unequal access to political power and influence. Economic inequality, encompassing disparities in wealth and income, will also be discussed. Finally, we'll delve into social inequality, which includes differences in social status based on factors such as race, gender, and ethnicity, providing a holistic view of inequality's facets.
3	Inequality and democracy: Why should we care about inequality? The political and economic ramifications of inequality In this lecture, we'll explore the critical relationship between inequality and democracy. We'll analyze the reasons why we should care about inequality and its potential to erode democratic principles. Examining the political and economic ramifications of inequality, we'll discuss how concentrated wealth and power can influence and distort political processes
4	The psychology of inequality: The power of comparison and why feeling poor kills you? The psychology of inequality is the focus of this lecture. We'll delve into how humans perceive and respond to disparities, emphasizing the power of social comparison. We'll also explore the psychological effects of inequality, including the impact on well-being and why feeling relatively poor can have detrimental consequences for individuals
5	Are we becoming unequal? The factors that are driving high levels of inequality in our society In this lecture, we will investigate the factors driving high levels of inequality in contemporary society. We'll examine technological advancements, globalization, and policy choices, all of which shape income distribution, wealth accumulation, and social opportunities. This discussion will contribute to a deeper understanding of the ongoing debates surrounding rising inequality.
6	How the world became unequal? The historical roots of world inequality This lecture will take a historical perspective on inequality, exploring the roots of global disparities. We'll discuss how colonialism, imperialism, and global economic systems have contributed to enduring inequalities between regions and nations, providing insights into the historical context of global inequality.
7	Why are some regions "meant to be" poor? The impact of political systems. In this lecture, we'll examine the concept of regions that appear persistently impoverished and explore the impact of political systems on their development. Utilizing world system theory, we'll delve into how core nations benefit at the expense of periphery regions, shedding light on the enduring disparities in the global economy.
8	Mid-term review - formative assignment
9	Gender inequality. Is it real and can it be changed? This lecture will focus on gender inequality, addressing questions about its existence and the possibilities for change. We'll discuss the reality of gender-based disparities in access to education, employment, and political representation. Additionally, we'll explore strategies for combating gender inequality through policy reforms and cultural shifts.
10	Other forms of inequality (age discrimination, health inequality etc) In this lecture, we will broaden our perspective to consider various forms of inequality beyond the more commonly discussed types. Topics covered will include age discrimination and health disparities. We'll explore the profound consequences of these inequalities and discuss potential interventions and policy changes
11	Generational inequality. How to use education to fight inequality produced by past discrimination?This lecture will delve into the concept of generational inequality and its relation to past discrimination. We'll specifically focus on the case of affirmative action in the USA and discuss how education can be used as a tool to combat inequality stemming from historical injustices
12	Welfare system. How can states fight inequality? This lecture will center on the role of welfare systems in addressing inequality. Using the Great Depression and the New Deal as a historical backdrop, we'll examine how states can combat inequality by providing social safety nets, access to education, and economic stability, ultimately promoting social equity.
13	Project presentations
14	Final essay - summative assignment

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook(s):	Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power". PublicAffairs Sitglitz, J. (2017). "Globalization and Its Discontents Revisited: Anti-Globalization in the Era of Trump". W. W. Norton & Company Quinn, R. (2017). Guns, Germs & Steel: The Fate of Human Societies. Macat Library
Additional Literature:	Stiglitz, J. E. (2012). The price of inequality: How today's divided society endangers our future. WW Norton & Company. Acemoglu, D., & Robinson, J. A. (2013). Why nations fail: The origins of power, prosperity, and poverty. Broadway Business. Chang, H. J. (2008). Bad Samaritans: The guilty secrets of rich nations and the threat to global prosperity. Random House.
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Ability to understand the root causes of inequality at both international and national level
2	Improved critical thinking skills related to the politics of inequality
3	Ability to conduct research on the impact of inequality at both the institutional and personal level

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years) Program
1	Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources.	5
2	Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches.	5
3	Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects.	5
4	Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions.	5
5	Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations.	4
6	Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently.	5
7	Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena.	4
8	Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones.	4
9	Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles.	4
10	Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge.	1
11	Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments.	3
12	Having consciousness about human rights and environment.	5
13	Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning.	4

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Project	1	30
Term Paper	2	15
Final Exam	1	30
Attendance		10
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	3	48
Mid-terms	1	6	6
Assignments	3	5	15
Final examination	1	8	8
Other			0
Total Work Load:			125
Total Work Load/25(h):			5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			5

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

This course is dependent on the student's participation and interest