Labour, autonomy and regulation in Norwegian and international society

The course centers on work as a core sociological topic, different understandings of what work is and the impacts of developments within organisations and society. The course focuses on central theoretical perspectives, but also presents empirical contributions from Norwegian and international society. Emphasis is placed on anchoring the discussions in analyses of the Norwegian model for the organisation of working life (autonomy, welfare, collaboration and regulation), and how this model is under pressure by societal challenges such as globalisation and the precarisation of working conditions. Through the work on the term paper, students will have the opportunity to go more in-depth on selected topics.

The course is suitable for master's students in Sociology/Political Science, students from the Master's Programme in Organisation, Digitalisation, Administration and Work and students specialising in social sciences within Teacher Education. It is particularly suitable for students who want to write master's theses with a social perspective on work and organisations, but can also be used as a starting point for in-depth study of relations between organisations, working life and welfare.

Knowledge - the student shall:

• have an understanding of central sociological perspectives on work, organisation and regulation of work.
• how the Norwegian model for the organisation of work and working life is under pressure from contemporary societal challenges.
• have knowledge of key empirical research in these fields, both nationally and internationally.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

• be able to conduct an independent analyses connected to a theme of the course.
• be able to present and discuss their own analyses and those of others, both orally and in writing.

The course combines various teaching activities (lectures, seminars, presentations, etc.). Supervision of the paper. The paper is to be an independent discussion of a topic taught in lectures, and is to consist of 20 pages. If less than six students register for the course during the first two weeks, the teaching will be given as a supervised reading course.