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
Study programme
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Study Option International Social Welfare and Health Policy
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences
Elective modules, Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Social Work, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Social Work
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2020/2021
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

This course provides a critical review of theoretical perspectives on citizens' encounters with the welfare state. This course provides an overview of some of these theories.

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 that emphasize social construction and interactional processes.

The course 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.

Required preliminary courses

None.

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 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 she or 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

Teaching and learning methods

The course will comprise a mix of lecture, discussions and hands-on exercises. Students will end the course with a paper and a presentation in which they discuss one of the theories covered in the curriculum. There will be a meeting set aside for student presentations.

Course requirements

Students must deliver a written paper (2000 words, body text) where they present and discuss one of the theories covered in the curriculum and present it in one of the two final meetings, with a feedback from lecturers and classmates. The paper and the presentation serve as the homework assignment that students must complete in order to sit for the final exam.

Assessment

The assessment consists of an individual six hour school exam.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

English-English dictionary

Grading scale

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

Examiners

The exam is graded by an internal and an external examiner.

A random selection consisting of at least 25% of the exam papers will be graded by both an internal and external examiner. This will inform the grading of the remaining exam papers.

Course contact person

Rune Halvorsen