SV-437 Welfare and family policies in the Nordic countries (Autumn 2025)
- ECTS Credits:
- 5
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Course Leader:
- Morten Blekesaune
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Teaching language:
- English
- Duration:
- ½ year
Table of contents
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Child Welfare, 5 year Master's Programme
- Master's Programme in Social Work
- Master's Programme in Sociology
Teaching language
English
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, students are expected to
- be familiar with the developments of welfare and family policies in the Nordic and other European/OECD countries over previous decades,
- be ready to discuss driving forces behind these policies,
- be able to discuss likely consequences of various types of welfare and family policies,
- be ready to discuss areas in which welfare and family policies show strong variation or change.
Contents
The course will investigate political measures among the Nordic welfare states regarding:
- income security and services supporting various types of families,
- how demographic and economic factors (e.g., population ageing, female employment) affect these policies,
- how these policies may affect the distribution of income, opportunities, and behaviour, including gender relations,
- advantages and limitations of different methods for comparing welfare and family policies.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures. Expected workload is about 135 hours.
Examinations
3 hours individual school exam. Graded on a scale, A-F.
Student evaluation
As a 5-credit course, we will only have a final evaluation using a standard questionnaire.
Offered as a free-standing course
Yes. Subject to availability / capacity, admission requirements as for master's programs in sociology and social work
Admission Requirement if given as a free-standing course
Admission requirements as for master's programs in sociology and social work
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem)
Oct. 15, 2026 1:54:38 PM