Main Field of Study and progress level:
Sociology: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Three-grade scale
Responsible department: Department of Sociology
Contents
The course deals with the study of living conditions, quality of life, and the distribution of resources and capabilities. The aim is to improve students of how resources affect different aspects of peoples living conditions, including health, social integration, victimization and labour market attachment. A central topic is the way different social policy systems interact with the market distribution of resources and thereby shape peoples living conditions. The course also addresses what constitutes social problems, who defines them, and who is exposed to them, as well as how to analyze social problems and their consequences within the framework of sociological research.
Expected learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, the student will:
- Identify key concepts central to the understanding of living conditions and social problems
- Comprehensively and critically analyze why specific social circumstances are identified as being social problems
- Describe the ways in which particular social policy systems shape peoples living conditions
- Identify connections between distribution of resources and broader aspects of personal well-being
- Translate theoretical concepts into measurable empirical indicators.
Required Knowledge
Univ: The general requirement for admission is the completion of three years of university level education in Social Work, Sociology, Political science, Human geography, Education, Education, Ecinomics or related sciences. The students must document a good command of English.
Form of instruction
The course content is delivered through lectures and seminars. Attendance at all seminars is compulsory.
Examination modes
The examination consists of two parts. Students will hold one group presentation. Only the grades of Pass (G) or Fail (U) will be awarded for the group work. In addition, students will write a paper individually. The paper will be awarded one of the following grades: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), or Fail (U). In order to pass the entire course, the students must obtain a passing grade on all of the examination parts and must attend all compulsory sessions indicated in the course schedule. International students are graded in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Examination based on this syllabus cannot be guaranteed after two years from the start of the course.
Academic credit transfer
Decisions relating to academic credit transfers are made on a case-by-case basis. For further information about this contact the study advisor. See also Umeå Universitys set of rules and academic transfer regulations.
www.umu.se/studentcentrum/regler_riktlinjer/regelsamlingen/examensfrågor.html
Other regulations
This course is given in English.
Literature
Valid from:
2010 week 3
Byrne David Social exclusion 2. ed. : Maidenhead : Open University Press : 2005 : xii, 202 s. : ISBN: 0-335-21595-5 (hbk.) Search the University Library catalogue
The sociology of social problems : theoretical perspectives and methods of intervention Jamrozik Adam, Nocella Luisa Cambridge : Cambridge University Press : 1998 : 241 s. : ISBN: 0-521-59070-1 Search the University Library catalogue
Wilkinson Richard G. The impact of inequality : how to make sick societies healthier New York : New Press : 2005 : x, 355 s. : ISBN: 1-56584-925-6 (hbk.) Search the University Library catalogue
An Index of Child Well-Being in the European Union. Bradshaw J., Hoelscher P., Richardson D. Included in: Social Indicators Research [S.l.] : Kluwer Journals Online : pages 133-77 :
Brady D Rethinkning the Sociological Measurement of Poverty Included in: Social forces Chapel Hill, NC : University of North Carolina Press : 2001- : pages 715-52 :
Unemployment, Poverty and Social Exclusion: Is there a Vicious Circle of Social Exclusion? Gallie D, Jacobs S Included in: European societies[Elektronisk resurs]. London : Taylor & Francis : 2002- : pages 1-32 :
Halleröd Björn. et al. Relative Deprivation - A Comparative Analysis of Britain, Finland and Sweden Included in: Journal of European social policy. London : Sage : 1999- : pages 328-45 :
Halleröd Björn What I need and what the Poor Deserves: : Analysing the Gap between the Minimum Income Needed for Oneself and the View on an Adequate Nor for Social Assistance. Included in: Social forces Chapel Hill, NC : University of North Carolina Press : 2001- : pages 35-59 :
New Politics and Class Politics in the Context of Austerity and Globalization: : Welfare States Regress in 18 Countries 1975-1995 Korpi W., Palme J. Included in: The American political science review [Washington, D.C., etc.] : American Political Science Association. : pages 425-46 :
Moving in and out of Poverty - The Impacts of Welfare Regimes on Poverty Dynamics in the EU. Layte R., Whelan C.T. Included in: European societies[Elektronisk resurs]. London : Taylor & Francis : 2002- : pages 167-91 :
McKay S. Poverty or Preference: What du "Consensual Depriavtion Indicators really measure?" Included in: Fiscal Studies Institute for Fiscal Studies : pages 2001-223 :
Merton R.K. Social Structure and Anomie. Included in: American sociological review New York,c 1936- : 1936- : pages 672-682 :
"Life-course influences on mortality at older ages: evidence from the Oslo Mortality Study Naess O, Hernes F. H., Blane D Included in: Social science & medicine. Oxford,c 1982- : 1982- : pages 329-336 :
Sen A. Poor,relatively speaking Included in: Oxford economic papers. Oxford : Clarendon P. : 1938- : pages 153-69 :
Simmel G. The Poor. Included in: Social problems Buffalo, N.Y.,c 1953- : 1953- : pages 118-39 :
Understanding the Mismatch between Income Poverty and Deprivation: A Dynamic Comparative Analysis. Whelan C.T., Layte R., Maitre B. Included in: European sociological review Oxford : Oxford University Press : 2000- : pages 287-302 :
