COURSE SYLLABUS
Social Work, Social- and Welfare Policy in a Swedish and International Perspective, 7.5 credits
Social Work, Social- and Welfare Policy in a Swedish and International Perspective, 7,5 högskolepoäng
Course Syllabus for students Autumn 2020
Course Code:HSWK19
Confirmed by:Utbildningsrådet Jan 29, 2019
Revised by:Department head Aug 25, 2020
Valid From:Nov 2, 2020
Version:3
Reg number:Department for social work
Education Cycle:First-cycle level
Disciplinary domain:Health sciences
Subject group:SS2
Specialised in:G1F
Main field of study:Social Work

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

Upon completion of the course students should have the ability to:

Knowledge and understanding

  • describe and discuss different welfare regimes
  • identify characteristics of the Swedish welfare system in comparison to other welfare systems
  • describe the living situation of different social groups in Swedish society.

Skills and abilities

  • reflect upon the relationship between social policy, societal life and everyday living conditions
  • identify various social policy challenges and discuss its importance to contemporary developments of welfare system with emphasis on the Swedish context
  • reflect upon the future of welfare states.

Judgement and approach

  • compare and reflect upon living conditions and social work practice in different welfare regimes.

Contents

- social policy and the rise of the Swedish welfare state
- the Swedish welfare system and its problems, crisis, restructuring and future
- different models of social welfare policy from an international perspective
- current social policy issues
- poverty from an international perspective
- challenges from a national and international perspective

Type of instruction

The course is implemented through lectures, group discussions and seminars.

The teaching is conducted in English.

Prerequisites

General entry requirements and completed courses in Social Work of 15 credits or equivalent. For students enrolled at partner universities the eligibility requirements of respective departments applies.

Examination and grades

The course is graded A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

Examination will be based upon one individual written examination and individual and group written papers.

A university assistant professor serves as the course examiner.

Registration of examination:
Name of the TestValueGrading
Individual written examination4 creditsA/B/C/D/E/FX/F
Individual assignments2 creditsU/G
Seminars0.5 creditsU/G
Oral presentation1 creditU/G

Other information

Attendance requirements
Attendance to seminars and groupwork is compulsory.

Course literature

Andersson, L.M.C., & Hjern, A., & Ascher, H. (2018). Undocumented adult migrants in Sweden: mental health and associated factors. BMC Public Health, 18(1) 1369-9.

Bergnehr, D. (2016). 'Unemployment and conditional welfare: Exclusion and belonging in immigrant women's discourse on being long-term dependent on social assistance.' International Journal of Social Welfare, 25(1), 18-26.

Brydon, K., & Lawihin, D. (2013). The current situation in social work education in Papua New Guinea.

Bryman, A. (2018). Samhällsvetenskapliga metoder. Stockholm: Liber. Kapitel 17.

Daly, M. (2011). Welfare. Cambridge Polity Press, Chap 1.

Doar, R. (2016). A bipartisan plan to reduce poverty in the U.S. Intereconomics, 51(2), 107-108.

Edlund, J., & Johansson Sevä, I. (2013). Is Sweden Being Torn Apart? Privatization and Old and New Patterns of Welfare State Support. Social Policy & Administration, 47(5), 542-564.

Esping-Andersen, G. (1990). The three worlds of welfare capitalism. Cambridge: Polity (pdf).

Fors, S., & Almquist, Y, B., & Brännström, L (2018). Coexisting Social, Economic, and Health-related Disadvantages in more than 2.4 Million Swedes. Social indicators research, 143(1), 115-132.

Isakjee, A. (2017). Welfare state regimes: a literature review

Knutagård, M. (2018). Homelessness and Housing Exclusion in Sweden. European Journal of Homelessness, 12(2), 103.

Mattsson, T. (2014). Intersectionality as a Useful Tool: Anti-Oppressive Social Work and Critical Reflection, Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 29(1), 8-17.

Moffitt, R. (2015). The Deserving Poor, the Family, and the U.S. Welfare System. Demography, 2015, 52 (3),729-749.

Nanu, G. (2011). The Wantok System as a Socio-Economic and Political Network In Melanesia?

Riksdag och samhället. www.riksdagen.se/sv/sa-funkar-riksdagen/demokrati/riksdagen-och-samhallet/

Rienecker, L. (2017). Att skriva en bra uppsats. Stockholm: Liber. Kapitel 5, 6.

Shaefer, L. H., & Wu, P. (2016) Can Poverty in America Be Compared to Conditions in the World’s Poorest Countries? American journal of medical research 4(1), 84-92.

Schierup, C. U., & Ålund, A. (2011). The end of Swedish exceptionalism? Citizenship, neoliberalism and the politics of exclusion. Race & Class 53(1), 45-64.

Szebhely, M., & Trydegård, G-B. (2012). Home care for older people in Sweden: a universal model in transition. Health and Social Care in the Community 20 (3), 300–309.

Smeeding, T., & Thévenot, C. Addressing Child Poverty: How Does the United States compare With Other Nations. Academic pediatrics, 16(3), S67-S75.

Swärd, H., & Edebalk, P.G., & Wadensjö, E. (2013). Vägar till välfärd - idéer, inspiratörer kontroverser, perspektiv. Stockholm: Liber. Kapitel 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 15, 25.

Så styrs Sverige. www.regeringen.se/sa-styrs-sverige/

Topor, A., & Andersson, G., & Bülow, P., & Stefansson, C. G., & Denhov, A. (2015). After the Asylum? The New Institutional Landscape. Community mental health journal, 52(6).

Trygged, S., & Righard, E. (Ed). (2019). Inequalities and migration: challenges for the Swedish welfare state. Lund: Studentlitteratur. Chap. 1,2,3,6,7,8.

US Welfare programs, the myths versus the facts.

Welfare reform in the United States.


A work of fiction with socio-political connections.
Additional scientific articles will be used.

The most recent editions of the course literature should be used.