ISSSV1753 – The Norwegian Welfare State
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course presents the historical background, development and present-day challenges of the Norwegian welfare state. It examines the role of values and norms in shaping the services offered by the welfare state, as well as how the structure of the state in turn shapes societal norms and values. The course follows how political debates concerning the country's welfare programs have shifted in response to accelerated immigration, changing gender roles and shifting employment patterns. It pays special attention to universal welfare services, work-family balance and the Introduction Programme (Norway’s integration package), as these are some of the distinctive features of the Norwegian welfare state. Additional modules on education, healthcare, childcare, corrections and labour market policy will demonstrate values and norms in practice, as well as highlight the challenges that increased globalization presents to a state welfare system. At the end of the course, students will be able to discuss the foundations of the welfare state, as well as compare different welfare regimes and their responses to common challenges.
The course puts emphasis on classroom discussion and student participation with the aim of enabling students to make a comparative analysis of social structures and institutions in their own and other countries.
Learning outcome
Students will gain insight into the historical background, the development and the present-day challenges of the Norwegian welfare state and will on this basis be able to make a comparative analysis of the social structures and institutions in their own and other countries.
Admission
If you would like to take this course, you must apply directly to International Summer School
Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway. Minimum academic requirements.
Teaching
The course consists of 25 class sessions, 3 hours daily, Monday to Friday, for six weeks. Classroom sessions include lectures and group discussions, based on comparative analysis. All students are required to give an oral presentation on a given topic to the class. Active participation throughout the course is expected of the students, and attendance during realtime lectures, seminars and discussions is required. Field trips to institutions in Oslo are included.
Daily attendance is expected of all participants. Students must complete an oral presentation and attend a minimum of 75% of the class sessions in order to take the final exam.
Examination
The course includes an oral presentation, and a final written examination, which lasts for 3 hours.
You can check your results and order transcripts in Studentweb three weeks after the exam.
Digital examination
The written examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera. You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.
Read more about written examinations using Inspera.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Candidates who have a re-scheduled or new examination are allowed take the next ordinary examination. If you have successfully passed obligatory assignments, or other compulsory activities required before you are qualified to attend the exam, you need not re-sit these.
Only students with either valid absence (doctor's note) or students who failed the exam can re-sit an exam.
Contact the ISS Office for more information.
Withdrawal from an examination
A student can take the class and sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, she/he must submit the Course change and withdrawal request form at the latest one week before the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam, which is the general rule at UiO.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.