Ageing, Welfare, and the Sustainability of Societies, 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:

• in relation to the UN sustainability goals, discuss the implications of ageing and the contemporary demographical shifts of welfare states and welfare policies 
• critically discuss ageing, care, pensions, and extended working lives in Sweden, Scandinavia and Europe from a sustainability perspective
• problematise and present conclusions as well as arguments orally and in a written form according to academic principles
• under the lens of economical sustainability and intergenerational solidarity, reflect and appraise structural barriers relevant to ageing, as well as welfare and labour policies relevant to ageing
• apply ethical aspects in research and developments within ageing policies

Course content

In the course, the interconnection between ageing, social change, and the sustainability problems of societies from a national, Scandinavian, European, and global perspective is introduced. Moreover, the foundations and history of the Swedish welfare system are addressed. Knowledge is provided on how demographic change interferes with shifts in working lives, health, care, and old-age care as well as pension systems. Moreover, the political and financial implications of demographic trends and their interconnection with the lives of the ageing population are discussed. The contemporary political and scientific discourse in this field is analysed and reflected, giving a fertile ground for problematization on the topics of care, welfare, and policies on extended working lives.

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 and tutoring. 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 (individual), grading scale: fail/pass
• Oral presentation (group), CAMPUS, grading scale: fail/pass
• Written examination (individual), grading scale: ECTS

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

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 conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

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