Course syllabus - Working Life as a Scientific Field I
Scope
7.5 credits
Course code
PSA318
Valid from
Autumn semester 2018
Education level
Second cycle
Progressive Specialisation
A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements).
Main area(s)
Work Life Studies
School
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
Ratified
2018-02-20
Literature lists
Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.
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Articles
Working time policy in Sweden. Working time: In search of new research territories beyond flexibility debates, 55-70
The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training,
URL: Link
From productivity to complexity- history of Swedish Work Organization research
Stockholm Forte. P. 54., 2015
URL: Link
The Convergence of the Quality of Working Life and Competitiveness. A Current Swedish Literature Review
Arbetsliv i omvandling. Stockholm: Arbetslivsinstitutet, 2003
Changing work-life inequality in Sweden: Globalization and other causes. In Globalized labour markets and social inequality in Europe (pp. 177-208).
Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2011
URL: Link
Fire and water combined: Understanding the relevance of working life studies through a concept of practical activity
Old site of Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies, 5(3a), 47-62, 2015
Objectives
The objective of the course is for students to develop a broader and more in-depth knowledge of work life studies as a scientific field, including its development, theories, methods and core issues, and to evaluate how these can be applied in a concrete research project.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course the student shall be able to:
1. reflect upon contemporary working life and contrast this to the development of work life studies as a scientific field, including its theories and methods
2. describe the Swedish work life studies context and analyse it in relation to work life studies as an international field of research
3. identify, apply and compare theories and methods of work life studies deriving from the various disciplines that contribute to the interdisciplinary character of the subject
4. apply theories and methods of work life studies deriving from the various subject specialisations within interdisciplinary work life studies to their own research domain
Course content
- Overview of the development of the research field during the period after the Second World War.
- Description of the Swedish context in relation to international work life studies research
- Reflection on how generalisability is affected in the transfer between Swedish working life and the international research domain
- Presentation of ongoing work life studies research in the various subject specialisations at MDH
Tuition
Teaching and learning are conducted in a combination of individual and group-based forms of study, literature studies and seminars. The purpose of these teaching methods is for the students to practise active searches for knowledge, cooperation, discussion, argumentation and critical reflection, both individually and in groups.
Specific requirements
A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Caring Sciences with Specialisation in Nursing, or the equivalent. In addition Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English B/English 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement for Swedish B/Swedish 3.
Examination
SEM1, Seminar, 2 credits, concerning learning outcomes 1-3. Active participation in the seminars. Marks Fail (U) or Pass (G).
INL1, Written assignment, individual, 3.5 credits, concerning learning objectives 1-4. Marks Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).
PRO1, Project report, 2 credits, Group examination concerning learning objectives 1-4. Marks Fail (U) or Pass (G).
For a Pass with Distinction (VG) on the course as a whole, a VG on INL1 and a G on SEM1 and PRO1 are required.
A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.
Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.
Grade
Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail