Swedish Social Welfare in Comparative Perspective, 7.5 Credits

Contents

In the course the ”Swedish welfare state” is introduced it´s role in the development and carrying-out of social programs, and the role of social workers in the Swedish welfare state context. During the course key factors that have shaped and influenced social policy in Sweden compared to other welfare models are discussed. Emphasis will be placed on exploring social welfare policies in comparative perspective.
Concepts and principles regarding social welfare and the formulation of analyses of social welfare policies are introduced. In the course connections between social policies and social work practice is focused. Towards that background intended and unintended effects of policies on both majority and minority or marginalized groups are discussed.

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to demonstrate:
• Knowledge of the socio-political context of the Swedish welfare state, its history and development
• an understanding of the key factors that have shaped and influenced social policy in Sweden compared to other welfare models;
• knowledge of current institutional and organizational structures of social welfare programs developed to deliver ‘cradle to grave’ services
• knowledge of the connections between social policies and social work practice.
• knowledge how to identify a particular social problem addressed by social welfare policies; and describe relevant social welfare policy response
• knowledge how to apply social welfare concepts to the formulation of analyses of social welfare policies;
• how to describe intended and unintended effects of welfare policies on boht majority and minority or marginalizes groups such as; people of color, women, lgbtq people the poor, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable, high risk populations.

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The course is taught through lectures and seminars. Students are expected to prepare lectures and seminars and group work through reading literature, group discussions and specific group and individual assignments

Examination modes

The examination will be conducted through:
• Active Participation in Seminars
Students are expected to present and discuss short written individual papers.
• Paper
In the depth study of a social problem/issue.
The paper will involve the description of a social problem or issue, how it is conceptualized at a policy level and if/how social work involved in providing solutions. A description of the requirements of the paper will also be provided early in the course.
• Seminar Presentation
The presentation of the paper mentioned above. A description of the requirements of the seminar will also be provided during the course.

The grades for the Active Participation in Seminar will be either Fail or Pass. The grades for the Paper will be either Fail, Pass or Pass with Distinction. The grades for the Seminar Presentation of the Paper will be either Fail or Pass.

Rules regarding Examination
A student who fails to obtain a pass result at the regular test is entitled to the opportunity of a re-take. A re-take must be offered not more than three months after the regular test. A re-take must be offered not more than three months after the regular test, but it must not be offered earlier than ten working days after the result of the regular test has been announced and a copy of the student’s examination script is available. Re-take time(s) should be announced not later than the day of the regular test. In addition, at least one further re-take opportunity (known as a ”catching-up test”) must be offered within one year of the regular test.

A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.

If a college or university limits the number of occasions on which a student may enrol for a test in order to obtain a pass grade for a course or sub-course, the number of attempts must be at least five. In order for an opportunity of examination to be regarded as forfeited, the student must have failed formally on the test. Absence from an examination may not be counted as a forfeit examination. Participation in an examination without submitting a result, handing in a blank paper, counts as an opportunity.

Anyone who has not passed and examination has the right to take a re-take on a course where she/he has once been registered, provided that any limitations on the number of times of examination have not been exceeded.

In cases where examinations or compulsory course elements cannot be repeated according to the rules of re-takes and work practice that has to be done again, these can be replaced with a different task. The extent and content of such a task should be in a reasonable proportion to the missed compulsory course element.

A student has the right to be tested in accordance with the same syllabus as during the original examination twice, for up to two years after the first registration.

A student who has taken two tests for a course or segment of a course, without passing, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there exist special reasons (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 6, section 11b). A request of another examiner should be sent in to the Director of studies at the Department of Social Work, Umeå University.

Examinations are normally held in the place where the course was conducted. In special circumstances a student may be examined at some other location. Special consideration shall be given to candidates wishing to be examined at Campus Skellefteå, Campus Örnsköldsvik and in Lycksele. A student wishing to be examined at another location must make an application to the department in question not less than one month prior to the day of the examination. Prerequisites of examination at another location are that recognised invigilation, premises and all other conditions required for the examination in question can be arranged at reasonable cost to the department. Students who play elite-level sport and who have an agreement with Umeå Sport Sciences Centre are seen as having special reasons to be examined in a different location (Decistion by the Vice-Chancellor, reg. no. 102-329-07; in Swedish)

Other regulations

Prerequisites
This is an introductory course. The admission prerequisite is a general qualification for university studies. Students taking these courses will be exempt from the requirement of proficiency in the Swedish language. All lectures and seminars will be in English. Therefore, students must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Transfer of Credits
For information of regulation regarding transfer of credits:
http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/transfer-of-credits?languageId=1