Course syllabus - contextual and interdisciplinary perspectives on Work life Science, 10 credits
Information about the course
- Course code: FHVV036
- Third-cycle subject: Work life studies
- School: School of Health Care and Social welfare
- Responsible department: Psychology
- Valid from: 2025-08-11
- Established by: Dean of School
- Decision date: 2025-01-21
- Level of education: Third cycle level
Course objective
The objective is for the doctoral students to develop a broad and in-depth theoretical and methodological understanding of work life studies, including its history, contextual dependencies and interdisciplinarity and apply this knowledge to their PhD project.
Course content
During the course, work life science is discussed from three perspectives:
- Contemporary societal challenges in relation to the historical roots of work life sciences
- the Swedish work life context in relation to the international work life science literature and
- the different disciplines that together form the interdisciplinary subject of work life studies. The doctoral students’ own PhD project is used as a case-in-point, and discussions and interactions with other work life researchers are pivotal for the course.
Intented learning outcomes
After the course, the doctoral student should show ability to:
- discuss and critically analyse key aspects of the historical development of work life science and practice of relevance for contemporary work life challenges pivotal to their PhD project.
- describe the Swedish work life context of relevance for their PhD project and analyze it in relation to the international context of work life science.
- identify, apply and compare theories and methods from different disciplines that contribute to the interdisciplinary character of work life studies.
- apply and appraise the contribution of work life theories and methods from different disciplines within work life studies to their PhD project.
The intended qualitative targets in relation to the Higher Education Ordinance, appendix 2.
Knowledge and understanding
For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate:
- A1: broad knowledge and systematic understanding of the research field as well as advanced and up-to-date specialised knowledge in a limited area of this field, and
- A2: familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular.
Competence and skills
For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate
- B1: the capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis as well as to review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues, and situations autonomously and critically,
- B4: the ability in both national and international contexts to present and discuss research and research findings authoritatively in speech and writing and in dialogue with the academic community and society in general,
Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall demonstrate
- C2: specialised insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used.
Teaching formats
Lectures, (live or recorded and accessible through Canvas), literature studies, seminars, group work, hand-in assignments
Examination
GRU1, Project assignment, 1,5 credits
INL1, Hand-in assignment, 2 credits
INL2, Hand-in assignment, 4.5 credits
SEM1, Seminar, 2,0 credits
Grade
Examinations included in the course are assessed according to a two-grade scale, fail or pass.
Grades are to be decided by a teacher specially appointed by the university.
A person who has not passed the regular examination shall be given the opportunity to retake the test.
Requirements
To participate in the course and the examinations included in the course, the applicant must be admitted to doctoral studies.
Selection criteria
Selection of applicants will be made in accordance with the ranking below.
- Doctoral students in work life studies or similar
- Doctoral students at Mälardalen University
- Doctoral students at other universities