EPN-V2

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

Engelsk emnenavn
Understanding Citizens' Encounters with the Welfare State: Structures, Institutions and Actors
Studieprogram
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Study Option International Social Welfare and Health Policy
Masterstudium i sosialfag - studieretning barnevern, deltid
Masterstudium i sosialfag - studieretning barnevern
Masterprogram i sosialfag
Enkeltemner knyttet til masterprogram i sosialfag
Masterstudium i sosialfag - studieretning sosialt arbeid, deltid
Masterstudium i sosialfag - studieretning sosialt arbeid
Omfang
10.0 stp.
Studieår
2019/2020
Programplan
Emnehistorikk

Innledning

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.

Forkunnskapskrav

None

Læringsutbytte

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

Arbeids- og undervisningsformer

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.

Arbeidskrav og obligatoriske aktiviteter

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.

Vurdering og eksamen

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

Hjelpemidler ved eksamen

All referenced material allowed.

Vurderingsuttrykk

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

Sensorordning

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.

Emneansvarlig

Rune Halvorsen