Study Guide

Objective

Students
- Have knowledge of the Nordic welfare system
- Have knowledge of different areas of professional expertise in social services
- Develop their reflective capacity concerning their own professional development

Content

- The Nordic Welfare Model
- Social Services and Social Work in Finland
- Best practice and professional development

Location and time

Time and place:
University of Applied Sciences
Vasa in Spring 2023
Turku in Autumn 2023

Materials

-Kamali, M. & Jönsson, J (eds). 2019. Neoliberalism, Nordic Welfare States and Social Work: Current and Future Challenges (e-book).
-Blum, J. Kuhlmann & K. Schubert. 2020. Routledge Handbook of European Welfare Systems (e-bok)
- Kangas & Kvist. 2020. Nordic Welfare states. In: Blum, S, Kuhlmann, J & Schubert K. Routledge Handbook of European Welfare Systems (e-book, Novia library).
- Kettunen, P. 2010. The Nordic Welfare State in Finland, Scandinavian Journal of History, 26:3, 225-247.
- Pedersen, A.W. & Kuhnle. S. 2017. The concept of a “Nordic model”. In: Knutsen, Oddbjørn P. (ed.), The Nordic Models in Political Science : Challenged, but Still Viable? (pp 249-272).

Teaching methods

Lectures and study visits, literature studies, workshops and written assignments

Employer connections

The course includes study visits to different agencies in social services and social work.

Exam schedules

Deadlines:
The course includes three parts, all with different deadlines. See Moodle-platform for more information.

International connections

Internationalization:
The course is offered to exchange students

Student workload

Recommended use of time:
Assignment 10 ects (270 h)
- Part 1 (3 ects/81h)
- Part 2 (4 ects/108h)
- Part 3 (3 ects/81h)

Further information

Responsible lecturer: Johanna Wikgren-Roelofs@novia.fi
Supervising lecture and assessments:
Lina.Nybjörk@novia.fi (Spring 2023)
Daniela.Sundell@novia.fi (Autumn 2023)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Assignment in three parts:

Part 1: ESSAY (3 ects)
The students write an essay about the Nordic welfare system and Social Services in Finland based on scientific articles, books, lectures, videos, events and web pages. Students must also prepare themselves for presenting and discussing the content of the essay. More information can be found on the course page on the Moodle platform.

Part 2: REPORT (4 ects)
The students participate in different lectures and workshops of various topics and write a report based on the content. The report must also include academic sources to deepen the knowledge of what has been said/experienced during the lectures and workshops. In the last part of the report, students reflect on their own professional development. Dates for lectures and workshops, check schedule in Peppi/Tuudo (Exchange-SS).

Part 3: STUDY VISITS (3 ects):
The students participate in 3 different study visits in the area of social work and get familiar with services, support and best practice. Before the study visits students prepare themselves by reading about the place and topic and prepare questions. After the study visits students give a presentation on similarities and differences between the study visits and services/best practice in the students country of origin.

For all three parts, students will regularly meet with the responsible lecturer for supervision, discussions and presentations (see schedule in Peppi/Tuudo for exact dates: EXCHANGE-SS).

- Ability to discuss and reflect on the Nordic welfare model and Finnish social policy based on literature (part 1)
- Ability to discuss the content of the lectures and study visits in relation to current research and literature (part 2-3)
- Ability to present the study visits in an interesting and creative way (part 3)
- Ability to reflect on one’s own professional development in a critical way (part 1-3)

Assessment scale: 0-5