Ageing and Social Change as Interdisciplinary Social Science, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Ageing and Social Change

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen
• At least 5 ECTS credits passed in Quantitative Methods or Statistics
• At least 5 ECTS credits passed in Social Sciences
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:

• describe and define key issues within the ageing society, the individual bases and societal foundations, and relevant challenges in research and practice of current age structured changes
• identify and account for how these key issues relate to social, cultural, and economic change from a social science perspective
• identify and state how an ageing society relates to the UN sustainable development goals as well as to social and economic policies within the ageing society
• discuss possible scenarios for future developments of the ageing society from an interdisciplinary perspective of social, cultural, and economic change on a national, European, and global level
• based on current research evaluate and discuss research questions and results in the field of Ageing and social change through a scientific lens
• search, review, and integrate relevant literature in the field and present acquired knowledge according to academic principles in verbal and written form
• write an academic paper according to the standards and requirements of Swedish higher education

Course content

The course presents a transdisciplinary introduction on the history and theory of ageing societies from a Scandinavian, European and global perspective. The course addresses main concepts in the field including a research overview. The course introduces the topic ageing and social change as an interdisciplinary social science. Furthermore, it offers an overview from different perspectives, such as sociology, economics, health sciences, demographics, philosophy, technology, life-course research, gerontology, psychology, and sustainability. In addition, the course introduces various tools for online classroom as well access to the library resources. Rules, regulations, and principles are considered regarding an academic approach as well as the academic writing process, including the use of sources, citing, and referencing. 

Teaching and working methods

In the course, a hybrid teaching model is used where students meet simultaneously on site and online for lectures and work together in workshops and seminars. This course includes mandatory on campus periods. In addition, the student should conduct self-study and work with others in peer learning groups. 

The language of instruction and examination is English.

Examination

Students admitted to the online programme are examined online, students admitted to on campus programme are examined on campus. In addition, there are on campus weeks, where all the students are examined on campus, see note CAMPUS.

The course is examined through:

• Active participation in workshops, grading scale: pass/fail
• Active participation in seminars, grading scale: pass/fail
• Active participation in workshops, CAMPUS, grading scale: pass/fail 
• Active participation in seminars, CAMPUS, grading scale: pass/fail
• Written report in group, grading scale: pass/fail
• Oral presentation in group, grading scale: pass/fail
• Written examination in group, grading scale: ECTS

For a passed final grade (E), a pass is required on all examinations and an E on the written examination in group. Higher grades are based on the written examination in group. 

Detailed information about the examination can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department