SV-401 The Nordic Welfare State in Comparative Perspective

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master's Programme in Sociology and Social Work

Teaching language

English

Course contents

The course will investigate political measures among the Nordic welfare states regarding:

• advantages and limitations of different methods for comparing welfare policies

• income security and services in various life situations

• how welfare policies affect the distribution of income and people's opportunities for action

• child-care, equality and the division of labour in the family

• possible behavioural effects of welfare policies

 

The course will investigate changes within and between countries regarding these topics

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students are expected to

• be familiar with common classifications of welfare states, and what dimensions these are built on

• be able to place specific programmes of Norway or other countries into welfare state typologies

• be ready to discuss driving forces behind welfare policies

• be able to discuss likely consequences of various types of welfare policies

• be ready to discuss areas in which welfare policies show strong variation or change  

Teaching methods

Lectures. Expected workload is about 270 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes. Subject to availability / capacity, admission requirements as for master's programs in sociology and social work

Assessment methods and criteria

• Individual written assignment that consitutes 40 % of the final grade.

• 3 hour individual exam that consitutes 60 % of the final grade. Graded on a scale, A-F.