Welfare, Inequality and Integration

The course discusses how developmental traits of contemporary modern society create new social inequality and thus new challenges concerning welfare schemes, nationally and internationally. The course will discuss theoretical and empirical approaches to the changing interplay between the welfare state, family and labour market, and the results of this (new distribution- and stratification patterns, gender and class differences, social mobility, etc.). Emphasis will be put on comparative, cross-national and international perspectives on these processes. The course will also discuss relevant topics that will vary from time to time.

Knowledge – the student shall:
* have a deeper and more thorough understanding of the central discussions and newer research in the fields of welfare, inequality and integration within both the Norwegian and international contexts.
* be able to reflect critically over the changes which take place in the field of welfare.
* be able to participate in the development of new knowledge in the field.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:
* be able to treat one of the themes which has been discussion in instruction in an independent manner through written work which is recognized to be at an internationally high level.

Lectures and seminars. The essay is to be an independent discussion of a topic taught in lectures, and is to consist of 20 pages.

If 6 or fewer students sign up for a planned course during the first 2 teaching weeks, the course will be offered as an instructed reading course.