SV-437 Welfare and family policies in the Nordic countries (Autumn 2026)
- 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
Three 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 capacity
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 2:44:50 PM