Welfare, Equity and Citizenship in a Changing Europe

SO215S

This course provides students with basic knowledge about the evolvement of the welfare state and the principles that underpins it, and how these principles are being challenged by the current social and political changes in Europe. Important keywords are citizenship, integration, diversity and social investment.

Good welfare is something most people in Norway posits. The same has been the case in much of Europe. However, the financial crisis and increased unemployment, particularly among young people, has led to a tightening of welfare programs in many European countries, and similar retrenchments are also discussed in Norway. The large influx of refugees and asylum seekers will challenge the European welfare states further. What values are at stake when welfare programs are being changed? What are the current trends in European welfare policy, and what consequences are they likely to have for citizenship? This course provides students with basic knowledge about the evolvement of the welfare state and the principles that underpins it, and how these principles are being challenged by the current social and political changes in Europe. Important keywords are citizenship, integration, diversity and social investment. The course also provides an introduction to sociological perspectives particularly relevant to discuss and analyze current trends in European welfare policy.

Basic requirement for university admission.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

has a basic knowledge about the values underpinning the welfare state
is well informed about social policy reforms in Norway and Europe
has knowledge about sociological conceptions of citizenship
has knowledge about sociological perspectives particularly relevant to the analysis of social integration and social conflict

Skills

can critically discuss the social values particularly at stake in welfare policies
is able to apply relevant sociological perspectives and theories in the discussion of such values

General competence

can associate changes in welfare policies to social values and political goals
can present and discuss sociological theory in writing
can apply sociological perspectives and arguments in the discussion of welfare policy changes

No costs except semester registration fee and course literature. It is required that students possess their own laptop.

Part of Bachelor in Sociology and Social Analysis. Elective for Bachelor in International Relations and for other students.

Lectures and seminars

The study programme is evaluated annually by students by way of course evaluation studies (mid-term evaluation and final evaluation). These evaluations are included in the university's quality assurance system.

Written school exam, 6 hours.

None

Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:

SO114S - Introduction to Sociological Theory - 5 credits

SO116S - Introductory Courses in Analysis of the Welfare State - 5 credits

SO116S - Institutions of Society - 5 credits

Curriculum literature

Leganto

Course language

Norwegian

Credits

Study location

Bodø

Responsible faculty

Faculty of Social Sciences

Course coordinator

Information about the course coordinator for the selected semester is no longer available. Please contact the current course coordinator.