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

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.

None

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

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.

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

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

The assessment consists of an individual 7 days written home exam of 3000 words +/- 10%. 

All referenced material allowed.

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

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. 

Rune Halvorsen