The objective of the course is to examine the diversity of welfare state and social policy traditions in the European Union (EU) and in Turkey in view of understanding the challenges of social policy in the face of globalization, Europeanization and enlargement. The first part of the course focuses on the European Union in terms of its institutions, policies and governance, as well as Turkey’s long-lasting relationship to it. The second part aims to explore the welfare regime typologies in Europe and in Turkey, underlining the diversity of social policy traditions in individual countries. Social policy and welfare state in Turkey are examined in the context of EU membership, with a view to outlining the implications of EU social policy for Turkey, as well as the implications of Turkish accession for EU social policy. The third part addresses the emergence, development, dynamics and processes of EU social policy, investigating the outcomes of the co-existence of a variety of social policy traditions for the European social model. The last part of the course focuses on contemporary challenges and opportunities of EU social policy brought about by the processes of enlargement, Europeanization and globalization. Particular sectors of EU social policy addressed by the course include gender equality, anti-discrimination policies, employment policies and social inclusion strategies.