Social and Welfare Policy

The course gives an introduction to concepts, ways of thinking and knowledge about the welfare society, from different perspectives. It gives an introduction to the Norwegian welfare system as a framework for the practitioner, including social services and the mandate of the child welfare system. Further, the course will give an understanding of the interconnection between living conditions, social inequalities, power, and possibilities for social integration. Social policies, and also the organization of welfare and social services in public, charital and private sector, is central in this course. Diversity and migration perspectives are thematised.

Knowledge - The student has:

• knowledge about health- and social policy, the development of the welfare state, new challenges and its organization. - knowledge about diversity in the new welfare context.
• knowledge on causes of unemployment, public health, poverty, exclusion, social inequalities and power.
• knowledge on conditions regarding upbringing, family policy and changes in family patterns.
• insight into political and administrative decision-making processes and how child welfare workers and social workers can contribute to general information and political counseling.

Skills - The student can:

• discuss the relevance that different welfare contexts can have for individuals.
• clarify how societal aspcts affects interaction between the practitioner and clients.

General competence - The student can:

• discuss social and economic causes of social problems and the welfare state locally and globally.
• reflect upon attitudes and professionalism in a social work and social education content.

Lectures and individual studies. Parts of the lectures may be given in English.