The main purpose of the course is to give the students an introductory knowledge of the Nordic welfare model, focussing on the political and ideological ideas on which it is based.

The course will focus on the framework for politics and political participation related to the welfare system, with special emphasis on gender issues. The following topics will be focussed:

1. Political Theory and Welfare Policy: Concepts and Issues
2. Welfare State Politics. Comparative Perspectives.
3. Gender and the Welfare State
4. Participation in Labour Markets in a gendered perspective
5. Participation in Nordic Politics in a gendered perspective
6. Challenges in implementing Welfare Policies.

Excursions will help students understand Norwegian welfare institutions, and may represent data for their paper.

Bergquist, Christina (ed.) ( 1999) : Equal Democracies? Gender and Politics in the Nordic Countries.Oslo: ScandinavianUniversity Press

Kangas, Olli and Joakim Palme (2005): Social policy and Economic Development in the Nordic Countries. UNRISD /Palgrave

Stjernø, Steinar (2005): Solidarity in Europe . The History of an Idea.CambridgeUniv. Press

Information about additional litterature will be given at course start.