The model has found many supporters in the Western industrialized world, as well. Today, however, for economic and also for ideological reasons, the Nordic welfare model is under strain. How the Nordic societies cope with the new challenges, European Integration, globalization, industrial restructuring etc - and what kind of changes will emerge in the welfare model itself, are issues of great importance in understanding the modern world. Programme lays a strong emphasis on the welfare state in the Nordic countries. The programme provides an introduction to the gradual emergence of the welfare states by analysing the Nordic societies through the methodologies of several different academic disciplines in the social sciences and humanities.
Students can combine courses to form a syllabus relevant to their interests.
University studies in social sciences or humanities. The programme uses also other courses provided by other programmes like Baltic Sea Region Studies or Women's Studies. Focus is on the principles and characteristics of the Scandinavian model, its distinct structure, as well as contemporary issues and pressures that are affecting its development. The course includes cross-national and comparative perspectives on different welfare states, a practical overview of the current range of services, policies and programmes,and theme lectures treating selected aspects of welfare. Different societies are focused upon and the course procedure is interactive.