Well-being in a Changing Society (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

On Tuesdays, Weeks 37-43

Kaija Penttala (responsible teacher)
Noora Ahvenjärvi

Week 37
Tue 9.9.2025
9:15 - 10:00 Introduction to the course and the group assignment instructions (KP)
10:00 - 14.30 Theories of the welfare state. Well-being theories. (KP)

Week 38
Tue 16.9.2025
8.15-10.30 Group work (Noora´s group on Zoom: 8.15-10.30 group 1: 8.15-9.15, group 2: 9.30-10.30)
10.30 - 14:00 Measuring well-being, well-being research (KP)
14-15.30 Group work, teachers involved Kaija´s groups on campus

Week 39
Tue 23.9.2025
9.00-11.30 Sustainability, daily life and well-being (NA)
12:30 - 14:00 Marginalization and inequality (NA)
14:00-16.00 Group work, teachers involved, Noora´s groups on campus, Kaija´s groups on Zoom

Week 40
Tue 30.9.2025
12:00 - 13:30 Independent group work

Week 41
Tue 7.10.2025 Independent studying

Week 42
Tue 14.10.2025
12-13.30 Independent group work

Week 43
Tue 21.10.2025
09:00 - 10:30 Course exam (NA)
12:00 - 15:00 Group presentations (NA & KP)

Week 44
Tue 28.10.2025
15:00 - 16:30 Course re-take exam (KP)

Changes are possible.

Please note: Participation in all group meetings is compulsory.

Course materials:
Pesonen, P. and Riihinen, O., 2002. Dynamic Finland: The Political System and the Welfare State. Helsinki: Finnish Literature Society.
Chapters:
2 Pathways to Modern Finland pages 20-54
3 Finnish Nationalism pages 55-65
5 Civil Society pages 86-111
13 Law and Order and Public Control pages 201- 210
14 Materialization of Values and Goals pages 211-245

The teaching material given by the teachers.

Objective

• you understand aspects of citizens’ well-being and social problems
• you are familiar with societal and global challenges to well-being
• you are able to examine sustainability from different perspectives (ecological, economic, social and cultural)
• you are familiar with the history, functioning and tasks of welfare society and the welfare state

Content

• changes in welfare society and the welfare state
• welfare theories, measuring well-being, perceived well-being, quality of life
• social problems, social deprivation and marginalisation

Materials

Course materials:
Pesonen, P. and Riihinen, O., 2002. Dynamic Finland: The Political System and the Welfare State. Helsinki: Finnish Literature Society.
Chapters:
2 Pathways to Modern Finland pages 20-54
3 Finnish Nationalism pages 55-65
5 Civil Society pages 86-111
13 Law and Order and Public Control pages 201- 210
14 Materialization of Values and Goals pages 211-245

The teaching material given by the teachers.

Exam schedules

The course exam 21.10.2025 09:00 - 10:30
The course re-take exam Tue 28.10.2025 15:00 - 16:30
The second course re-take exam 17.12.2025 11.30 -12.45.

Student workload

Lectures 1 op
Group work 2 op
Exam 2 op
Pesonen, P. and Riihinen, O., 2002. Dynamic Finland: The Political System and the Welfare State. Helsinki: Finnish Literature Society.
Chapters:
2 Pathways to Modern Finland pages 20-54
3 Finnish Nationalism pages 55-65
5 Civil Society pages 86-111
13 Law and Order and Public Control pages 201- 210
14 Materialization of Values and Goals pages 211-245

The teaching material given by the teachers.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Individual exam, graded 1-5
Group task (pass/fail)
Group collaboration (pass/fail)"

Failed (0)

The student's competence does not meet the assessment criteria.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

-You understand the dimensions of citizens' well-being and social issues.
-You are aware of societal and global challenges threatening well-being.
-You are capable of examining sustainable development from various perspectives (ecological, economic, social, and cultural).
-You are familiar with the history, functioning, and tasks of the welfare society and welfare state.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

-You comprehend the dimensions of citizens' well-being and social issues comprehensively.
-You are familiar with societal and global challenges threatening well-being and can describe and explain their manifestations.
-You are adept at examining sustainable development from various comprehensive perspectives (ecological, economic, social, and cultural).
-You are acquainted with the history, operations, and tasks of the welfare society and welfare state, as well as their practical manifestations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

-You understand the dimensions of citizens' well-being and social problems, and you can apply and explain them in practice.
-You are aware of societal and global challenges threatening well-being, and you can comprehensively describe and apply their significance in practical contexts.
-You have a broad understanding of sustainable development from various perspectives (ecological, economic, social, and cultural).
-You have a broad understanding of the history, operations, and tasks of the welfare society and welfare state both theoretically and practically, and you can apply this knowledge.