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Syllabus The Nordic Model: Politics Welfare and Immigration - 54860
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Last update 06-03-2022
HU Credits: 2

Degree/Cycle: 2nd degree (Master)

Responsible Department: European Studies

Semester: 2nd Semester

Teaching Languages: Hebrew

Campus: Mt. Scopus

Course/Module Coordinator: Dr. Orna Keren-Carmel

Coordinator Email: Orna.Keren@mail.huji.ac.il

Coordinator Office Hours: By prior arrangement, via e-mail

Teaching Staff:
Dr. Orna Keren

Course/Module description:
During the 1930's, in an attempt to cope with the severe contemporary economic crisis, the majority of European countries voted for radical ruling parties – from both extremes of the political spectrum. However, in the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland – which was still part of Denmark at the time), a 'third way' gradually developed, an intermediate approach between capitalism and communism. Eventually, as a consequence of extraordinary historical circumstances, this approach was titled the 'Nordic model', and it has been characterized by several unique features: a generous welfare state, democratization of society, adult education (Life Long Learning), striving for gender and class equality, and a political decision making process based on compromise and consensus. In this class, we will explore the historical developments that have led to the creation of the Nordic model - today one of the most successful models in the world according to OECD's indices - and critically analyze its ability to cope with various up-to-date national and global challenges.

Course/Module aims:

Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Exhibit basic knowledge and understanding of similarities and differences in the Nordic countries' historical development towards Welfare Regimes
- Analyze the complex cooperative relations between the Nordic countries from the beginning of the 20th century and until our days
- Assess the challenges facing the Nordic Model within the European Union as well as towards globalization processes

Attendance requirements(%):
90%

Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: Lectures, presentations and class discussions.

Course/Module Content:
20th century history of the Nordic Countries

Nordic Cooperation

'The Third Way'

Nordic countries and the EU

Required Reading:
1. Introduction - The Nordic Model(s)

2. The Nordic model and the Second World War

Niels Finn Christiansen & Klaus Petersen (2001), "The Dynamics of Social Solidarity: The Danish Welfare State, 1900-2000", Scandinavian Journal of History, 26:3, pp. 177-196.

3. The Nordic welfare state

Øyvind Bjørnson (2001), "The Social Democrats and the Norwegian Welfare State: Some Perspectives", Scandinavian Journal of History, 26:3, pp. 197-223.

4. The Nordic society

Marquis W. Childs (eighth printing 1971), "Liquor Control That Works", in: Sweden: The Middle Way, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, pp. 102-116.

5. The Nordic model and immigration

Mikael Bystöm (2014), "When the State Stepped into the Arena: The Swedish Welfare State, Refugees and Immigrants 1930s-50s", Journal of Contemporary History, 49(3), pp. 599-621.
Optional:
Mats Wickström (2016), "Nordic brothers before strange others: pan-national boundary making in the post-war naturalization policies of the Nordic countries", Ethnic and Racial Studies, pp. 1-19.

6. The Nordic economic model

עמי וטורי (דצמבר 2007), "עבודה ורווחה - המודל הסקנדינבי", פנים: כתב עת לתרבות, חברה וחינוך, גליון 41.
7. The Nordic political model

Gudmundur Jonsson (2014), "Iceland and the Nordic Model of Consensus Democracy", Scandinavian Journal of History, 39:4, pp. 510-528.

8. The Nordic educational model – Adult education

Staffan Larsson & Henrik Nordvall (2010), "Study Circles in Sweden – An Overview with a Bibliography of International Literature", Studies in Adult, Popular and Higher Education no. 5, Linköping University Electronic Press, pp. 1-37.
Also in:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265092861_Study_Circles_in_Sweden_An_Overview_with_a_Bibliography_of_International_Literature/link/53feea060cf283c3583bf9bb/download
9. The Nordic model and the world

Pauli Kettunen (2001), "The Nordic Welfare State in Finland", Scandinavian Journal of History, 26:3, pp. 225-247.

10. The Nordic model and the EU

Alyson J. K. Bailes, "Introduction: The European defence challenge for the Nordic region", in: "The Nordic Countries and the European Security and Defence Policy", eds. Bailes, Herolf & Sundelius, pp. 1-26.

11. Scandinavian Literature

12. The Nordic model and Israel

13. The Nordic Model - summary

Additional Reading Material:

Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 0 %
Presentation 40 %
Participation in Tutorials 10 %
Project work 50 %
Assignments 0 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 0 %

Additional information:
 
Students needing academic accommodations based on a disability should contact the Center for Diagnosis and Support of Students with Learning Disabilities, or the Office for Students with Disabilities, as early as possible, to discuss and coordinate accommodations, based on relevant documentation.
For further information, please visit the site of the Dean of Students Office.
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