EPN-V2

SIW4400 Understanding Citizens' Encounters with the Welfare State: Structures, Institutions and Actors Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Understanding Citizens' Encounters with the Welfare State: Structures, Institutions and Actors
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2018/2019
Course history
Programme description

  • Introduction

    One of the big controversies in the social sciences is how to model the relations between social structure, institutions and actors. This course provides an overview of some of these theories, with a focus on variants deriving from realist traditions.

    The course covers theories that emphasize a focus on individual, rational actors, those applying structural and functionalist explanatory models, those that emphasize social reproduction and feedback mechanisms in society to those cultural and phenomenological traditions that emphasize social construction and interactional processes.

    The module provides training in how to apply select theories to analysis of empirical evidence when studying and interpreting phenomena within social welfare and health policy research.

  • Required preliminary courses

    None

  • Learning outcomes

    A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

    Knowledge

    The student has

    • advanced knowledge of a series of social theories of institutions and actors
    • insight into how to critically assess these theories and their arguments
    • thorough knowledge of how the theories may be applied to research analyses
    • practical knowledge of how s/he may apply one or more of these theories in the master's thesis

    Skills

    The student

    • is able to identify and discuss different social theories
    • can identify how practical research analyses may be conducted using these theories
    • can critically discuss the empirical implications of particular social theories

    General Competence

    The student

    • has achieved general competence for doing independent research
    • can contribute to innovative thinking and competence in transferring knowledge and skills to new areas
    • can apply social theories in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects

  • Teaching and learning methods

    The course will comprise a mix of lecture, discussions and hands-on exercises. Students will end the course with an exercise in which they apply one of the theories learned to their own research study, in the form of a course presentation. There will be a meeting set aside for student presentations.

  • Course requirements

    Students must deliver a presentation in one of the two final meetings, with a feedback from teacher and classmates. The presentation serves as the homework assignment that students must complete in order to sit for the final exam.

    Students are required to attend the weekly lectures and to participate actively in discussions and assigned work groups during the course.

  • Assessment

    The assessment consists of a 7 days home exam

  • Permitted exam materials and equipment

    All referenced material allowed.

  • Grading scale

    Students are awarded grades on a descending scale from A to E for pass and F for fail.

  • Examiners

    An external examiner will grade a random sample consisting of at least 25 per cent of the homework. The grades given for this sample provide a basis for internal examiners who will be grading the other exams. External examiners will also be utilized to grade an exam when there is doubt about giving the exam a passing grade.

  • Course contact person

    Rune Halvorsen