Welfare, Inequality and Integration

In this course we discuss how patterns of development in modern societies create new social inequalities and hence new challenges for the welfare state, at the national as well as the international level. Both theoretically and empirically, we investigate the changing interaction between the welfare state, the family and the labour market, and what consequences this has for class, gender, social mobility and so forth. We will compare different cross-national and international perspectives on these processes. The term paper will be an independent analysis of one of the topics covered by the lectures, and should be 15-20 pages long (5600-7500 words).

Knowledge - the student shall
* know the central discussion and newer research in the areas of welfare, inequality and integration in both the Norwegian and international context.
* know how to critically reflect on the changes brought about in the area of welfare.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:
* treat one of the themes addressed during instruction in an independent method through written work.

Teaching methods and activities: Lectures and seminars.
Form of assessment: Individual term paper and oral examination. The oral exam may be used to adjust the grade by one unit on the scale. The oral exam will include the research paper, the individually selected readings and the required readings. If less than 6 students attend the course the two first weeeks of teaching, the course will be given as an individual study course with supervision. Please contact the departement for further information.