SN4100 Sustainable Welfare Policies in the Making: Global Challenges to the Nordic Welfare Model Course description

The Nordic welfare states have traditionally been known for being egalitarian. Hallmarks of the model have been universal welfare rights, well-regulated labour markets, high labour market participation rates, generous and inclusive welfare benefits, and active family policies that have promoted the labour market inclusion of women. Even though the picture is slightly more complicated - the Nordic models also comprise characteristics such as contributory benefits, conditionality and even working poor- in a global perspective the Nordic model is relatively generous and rights based.

In recent years, the Nordic countries have been put under stress by a number of global challenges: climate change, the financial crisis, digitalisation, migration, energy distribution, and demographic change. Such challenges have sparked political debate about how to adapt the Nordic welfare state systems in order to meet these crises, and still preserve the key characteristics of the model. This provides us with a lense to study political change and how it comes about, and the role of factors such as path dependency, austerity, agenda setting, ideology and interests, in policy making this again provides us with the tools to discuss if and how the Nordic model can sustain itself, and how the solutions and adaptations chosen sets it apart from welfare models in other countries and regions. How is sustainability addressed in these processes - and what are the normative foundations for the discussion?

The course aims to provide an understanding of Nordic policy responses to new global challenges. The course will critically assess political process theory, institutional perspectives, different governance models in dealing with the challenges, and post-growth.

Language of instruction is English.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge about how sustainability is understood and negotiated in policy processes
• has advanced knowledge about the processes of social policy making
• has specialised insight on the history and development of social policies and their influence on contemporary understandings of this in Nordic welfare states
• has thorough knowledge of the ways in which the Nordic welfare states have responded to global challenges

Skills

The student

• can identify different social policy issues and challenges related to sustainability, and critically analyse how local, national, and supranational organisations shape these perspectives
• critically analyse existing theories and interpretations in the field of social policy, and reflect on how specific conceptualisations shape social policy agendas and understandings
• can critically analyse how context- and power-based perspectives shape social policy ideologies and policy development and the ways in which policy responses may reinforce these perspectives
• can critically evaluate measures to promote sustainability, i.e. which measures can best promote the ability of citizens, social groups to maintain and further develop their living conditions given the societal challenges they face
• can apply theoretical perspectives on the making of Nordic social policies, and their relevance for social policies globally
• can critically analyse the political processes that shape Nordic social policy

General competence

The student

• can analyse relevant academic knowledge concerning different policy process perspectives on key issues taken up within social policy
• can apply their knowledge and skills to carry out advanced assignments on how dominant norms within social policy function to set the premises for models applied and the meaning this has at the social and individual levels
• can take this knowledge to contribute it to new thinking and innovation processes within the field of social policy

The course is an introduction to basic concepts and models in the field of chemistry. Students will acquire skills in performing simple chemical experiments and handling chemicals in accordance with regulations.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• can describe the structure of the periodic system.
• can describe structure of atoms and structure og chemical bond in molecules, gases, liquids and solids.
• can describe the main types of chemical reactions.
• can describe the main principles of reaction kinetics, and the relationship between kinetics and equilibrium.
• can explain the terms enthalpy, entropy, and free energy and describe how they provide the connection between thermodynamics, electrochemistry and chemical equilibrium.
• can explain the behavior of galvanic cells and electrochemical cells.

Skills

The student:

• can name simple chemical compounds.
• can balance reaction equations.
• can perform stoichiometric calculations and determine concentrations and partial pressure at chemical equilibrium.
• can perform basic calculations within reaction kinetics, thermodynamics (enthalpy, entropy and free energy) and electrochemistry (galvanic cells and electrolysis).
• can perform simple chemical reactions and laboratory tests with both qualitative and quantitative determinations.
• can write and explain the results of the laboratory work in the journal, report and spreadsheet.

General competence

The student:

• can collaborate in groups both with practical and written work.
• have insight into the proper handling of chemicals on the basis of HSE data and from laboratory experience.

The teaching is organised as lectures, exercises and laboratory course

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• 6-day laboratory course with 6 associated written assignments (5-15 pages per assignment)
• 4 of 7 compulsory exercises (2-4 hours per exercise)

Exam form: Individual written exam, 3 hours.

The exam result can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral examination may be used instead of a written exam. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the exam result cannot be appealed.

A handheld calculator that cannot be used for wireless communication. If the calculator's internal memory can store data, the memory must be deleted before the exam. Random checks may be carried out.