SSA4100 Social Policy Course description

The course provides an in-depth insight into the different support systems -the employment market, the family, the voluntary sector and the welfare and social assistance services are linked in Norway and in other European countries. This provides an insight into how class, gender, and ethnicity has influenced the development of welfare measures. Key normative reasons for welfare measures, such as justice, equality and solidarity are highlighted. Challenges to the welfare state, such as demographical changes, immigration, globalisation, privatisation and exposure to competition are discussed in light of existing research. Welfare policy for children is discussed as a separate topic.

Language of instruction is Norwegian. 

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the pollowing overall learning outcomes defines in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge about what characterises the Norwegian welfare state and the Nordic model in relation to the welfare states in other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany and countries in southern Europe.
• knowledge about the factors that have created different characteristics of the welfare systems, highlighting class, gender and ethnicity
• advanced knowledge about the labour market, and the politics of the labour market and the Norwegian workfare policy
• thorough insight into the family's role as a support system, changes in family patterns, and different family policy measures
• thorough insight into the factors that create poverty and social exclusion for different demographic groups, including children
• advanced knowledge of how economic, demographic, political and ideological changes influence welfare policy
• thorough insight into what globalisation might mean for the development of welfare and welfare measures in Norway and other countries

Skills

The student is capable of

• analysing similarities and differences between welfare measures in Norway and other countries
• analysing welfare measures in light of existing socio-political principles and ideologies
• problematising analytical categories and measurement instruments in welfare research
• applying key theories and concepts in his/her own written work
• making use of data from different sources in such contexts, such as Statistics Norway, OECD, Eurostat and Missoc
• obtaining relevant literature from electronic journals

General competence

The student is capable of

• discussing positive and negative aspects of different types of socio-political measures and dilemmas in welfare policy
• assessing how current social changes and changes in attitudes and values, influence welfare policy, and the frameworks and content of work in the health and social services

The teaching switches between lectures and seminars. Students are expected to play an active role. 

No coursework requirements or compulsory activities. 

The exam in the course is an individual home exam over a period of 72 hours. The exam must have a scope of 8 pages (+/- 10 percent). Font and font size: Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5. 

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

Grade scale A-F.

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner. At least 25 percent of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers. 

Hanne Christoffersen and Ivar Lødemel