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
2023/2024
Course history
Programme description

  • Introduction

    This course provides an overview of useful theoretical perspectives when analyzing citizens' encounters with the welfare state. The course will provide useful analytical concepts and frameworks for your Master's thesis. 

    The course covers theories on individual agency, social networks, structural and functionalist explanatory models, social reproduction and social change, social construction and interactional processes. The theories will be applied on current issues in welfare society and in social policies. 

    The course invites active discussions on how to apply select theories to analyze and interpret  phenomena within social welfare and health policy research.

    Language of instruction is English.

  • Required preliminary courses

    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 knowledge in at least two out of the following three points:

    • insight into planning and running a research project
    • a specialised knowledge in the research methods and theories being used in the project.
    • an insight into how social research can come into practical use or have an impact

    Skills;

    The student can in at least two out of the following four points

    • make an independent and critical search for literature and relevant studies for a research project
    • handle data in an ethical and critical manner, and adhere to the norms of ethical conduct in research
    • critically reflect on the researchers role in knowledge production
    • conduct an independent small-scale research or development project under supervision; ;

    General Competence

    The student has

    • developed general competence for independent research
    • practiced innovative thinking and competence in transferring knowledge and skills to new areas;

  • 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 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 analysis
    • knowledge on of how to apply one or more of these theories in a Master's thesis

    Skills

    The student

    • is able to identify and discuss different social theories
    • can identify how practical research analysis 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

  • Content

    The course covers theories on individual agency, social networks, structural and functionalist explanatory models, social reproduction and social change, social construction and interactional processes. The theories will be applied on current issues in welfare society and in social policies. 

    In this course we acknowledges the diversity of experiences that people have in their encounters with social welfare. We address the importance of class, gender, ethnicity, age, disability and sexuality and the intersectionality of these factors for the distribution of life opportunities and resources. 

    Current global challenges highlights the interdependencies between people and countries.  The complexity of globalization and sustainability are reflected on many levels of social life. In this course we discuss the impact of these challenges such as changing family structures and demographic aging, new ethnic diversity among households and care strategies, recognition of the needs and interests of persons with disabilities, lgbtq+ and religious minorities, as well as welfare systems and societies at large.  

  • Teaching and learning methods

    The following coursework requirement;must be completed and;approved by the given deadline;in order for the student to sit;the final;exam:

    The student will choose about 500 pages for a reading list that is;thematically, methodologically and scientifically relevant for the scientific outcome.

    Reading lists;that are not approved after two submissions will disqualify students from submitting the final exam paper.

  • Course requirements

    The exam in the course consists of an individual written report (the report must have a scope of between 4 - 9 pages, tables and references are not included. Font and font size: Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5), as well as a relevant scientific outcome from the participation (a paper, an article, a policy-brief or other relevant output).

    Together with the report the submission should include the approved reading list.

    Students awarded a fail grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the report for assessment

  • Assessment

    All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with

  • Permitted exam materials and equipment

    Pass / fail

  • Grading scale

    The submitted exam will be evaluated by the course coordinator and training supervisor.

  • Examiners

    Simon Innvær

  • Course contact person

    Rune Halvorsen