General provisions

The course is a self-contained course.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies).

Learning outcomes

A student who successfully completed the course will be able to:

• summarise and account for the general development of Swedish welfare politics and its central actors and discuss it from various theoretical perspectives.

• explain why certain types of welfare provisions were used at different times of the development with special consideration to the historical context.

• describe and evaluate how Swedish welfare politics have affected different groups in Swedish society and critically discuss the relationships between these groups and the Swedish state.

• compare the Swedish development to the development in other nations with consideration to the historical and political context.

Content

The course deals with the development of the Swedish welfare state, from the late nineteenth to the late twentieth century. It covers political discussions and important actors as well as the implementation of welfare measures. Central themes are, firstly, the connection between economic and democratic development and social policy and, secondly, the relationship between the state and the individual. The topic is studied theoretically and empirically as well as in a historiographical perspective. The “Swedish model” is also analysed comparatively in an international context.

Instruction

The course consists of lectures and seminars and/or tutorials

Assessment

Assessment is based on seminar performance and writing and defending papers. Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system. The following grades will be used: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Failed (U).