Kinship has been a central concept in anthropology from its very onset, one of the few which anthropology managed to make its own. Radical shift in kinship studies came in 1970s and 1980s. The traditional approach has been challenged as too static, too fixed, too algebraic. The analytical feasibility of the very category of kinship has been undermined. The aim of this course is to shed light on these new critical developments. We will look at the demise of kinship studies brought about by the argument on their essentially Western ideas of biological reproduction, and their subsequent revitalization. This would include introduction of the Schneider?s critique and the feminist anthropologists? works on kinship, gender and power; motherhood and fatherhood; concept of relatedness; studies on the new reproductive technologies; gay and lesbian kinship; new family forms emerging in a consequence of divorces, separation, domestic and transnational adoptions; the migration-induced transnational families and cross-border marriages. We will discuss how recent theoretical and empirical works reformulated kinship, putting stress on process, flexibility negotiation, human agency, local meanings and symbols. How they countered the notions of ?naturalness? of marriage, sex, procreation and parenthood; kinship obligations and duty. After the course students are expected to identify central trends in the contemporary studies of kinship, and in a critical manner look at the folk assumptions on a family present in a public Euro-American discourse. 

The course consists of reading materials, discussions, lectures and the final essay.

Kinship has been a central concept in anthropology from its very onset, one of the few which anthropology managed to make its own. Radical shift in kinship studies came in 1970s and 1980s. The traditional approach has been challenged as too static, too fixed, too algebraic. The analytical feasibility of the very category of kinship has been undermined. The aim of this course is to shed light on these new critical developments. We will look at the demise of kinship studies brought about by the argument on their essentially Western ideas of biological reproduction, and their subsequent revitalization. This would include introduction of the Schneider?s critique and the feminist anthropologists? works on kinship, gender and power; motherhood and fatherhood; concept of relatedness; studies on the new reproductive technologies; gay and lesbian kinship; new family forms emerging in a consequence of divorces, separation, domestic and transnational adoptions; the migration-induced transnational families and cross-border marriages. We will discuss how recent theoretical and empirical works reformulated kinship, putting stress on process, flexibility negotiation, human agency, local meanings and symbols. How they countered the notions of ?naturalness? of marriage, sex, procreation and parenthood; kinship obligations and duty. After the course students are expected to identify central trends in the contemporary studies of kinship, and in a critical manner look at the folk assumptions on a family present in a public Euro-American discourse. 

The course consists of reading materials, discussions, lectures and the final essay.

By taking a historical, ideological, economical, social, political and systems theoretical view, the aim is to widen the perspectives on the effects that global challenges have on the future of welfare states, and teach how to make an holistic analysis of the present and future challenges of the welfare states.

A historical view is taken to the development of welfare states and economic globalization, as well as, to the ideological development of ideas and values and models of welfare states. The European Union's effects to the recent and future development of European welfare state are also discussed. To widen the global view on the challenges, international politics and economy are discussed in relation to challenges of governance of world economic system and world politics.

The course consist of 24 hours of lectures (2 ECTS) and 6 hours of seminar where the course literature is handled (3 ECTS). By writing an essay on a given question (alone or as a group) for the seminar, students can conclude 4 ECTS from the seminar.

no need to sign up in advance

Nordic Welfare Societies in Transition

The aim of the course is that students recognise the features that have commonly been linked with the idea of a Nordic welfare model and Nordic welfare state. In addition students will learn about differences amongst the Nordic welfare states and some changes that they have undergone.

There will be various lecturers during the course. To pass the course active participation is required during the lectures and students need to write a 3 page paper on a certain research question (questions will be formulated during the course). Papers will be discussed jointly during the last session of the course.

Half of the each session will contain a lecture and another half will be dedicated to discussions and/or group work. Lectures take place on Thursdays, 9-12,

Place: 12.1.- 8.3.2012 Linna 6017

The course is coordinated by Liina Sointu (liina.sointu@uta.fi).

12.01 Liina Sointu: Practicalities of the course, Brief introduction to the different types of welfare states in Europe, group work to formulate research questions

19.01 Anneli Anttonen: Nordic welfare model and universalism

26.01 Jouko Nätti: Labour markets and employment in the Nordic countries

02.02 Tapio Rissanen: Gender, work and equality in the Nordic countries

09.02 Liina Sointu: Nordic elder care policies 

16.02 Katja Repo  Nordic child care policies

23.02 Jaana Vuori: Migrants, migration and gender

01.03 Lina Van Aerschot: Nordic citizenship

08.03 Liina Sointu: Discussion based on students' papers and feedback on the course.

No need to sign up in advance.

Nordic Welfare Societies in Transition

The aim of the course is that students recognise the features that have commonly been linked with the idea of a Nordic welfare model and Nordic welfare state. In addition students will learn about differences amongst the Nordic welfare states and some changes that they have undergone.

There will be various lecturers during the course. To pass the course active participation is required during the lectures and students need to write a 3 page paper on a certain research question (questions will be formulated during the course). Papers will be discussed jointly during the last session of the course.

Half of the each session will contain a lecture and another half will be dedicated to discussions and/or group work. Lectures take place on Thursdays, 9-12,

Place: 12.1.- 8.3.2012 Linna 6017

The course is coordinated by Liina Sointu (liina.sointu@uta.fi).

12.01 Liina Sointu: Practicalities of the course, Brief introduction to the different types of welfare states in Europe, group work to formulate research questions

19.01 Anneli Anttonen: Nordic welfare model and universalism

26.01 Jouko Nätti: Labour markets and employment in the Nordic countries

02.02 Tapio Rissanen: Gender, work and equality in the Nordic countries

09.02 Liina Sointu: Nordic elder care policies 

16.02 Katja Repo  Nordic child care policies

23.02 Jaana Vuori: Migrants, migration and gender

01.03 Lina Van Aerschot: Nordic citizenship

08.03 Liina Sointu: Discussion based on students' papers and feedback on the course.

No need to sign up in advance.

The aim of the course is to study and discuss: How social institutions are understood in social sciences today? How social institutions have changed? What kinds of meanings are attached to changing institutions? Themes of the course are: effects of competitive society on social institutions, competitive society and gender and interrelationship between global actors and local institutions. The focus is on social institutions such as family, education, health, welfare services and gender.

The course will be composed of lectures (12 h) and a discussion sessions (8 h). To pass the course, active participation in lectures is required and students need to write a 5 page essay paper based on themes of the lectures. Essays will be discussed jointly during discussion session.

Lectures are in English and discussion session in English.

Preliminary lecture programme:

1.Introductory lecture, Tiina Tiilikka & Eriikka Oinonen (1.2.2012)

2.Family: changing social institution?, Eriikka Oinonen (8.2.2012)

3. Health and well-being in competitive society, Tiina Tiilikka (15.2.201)

4.University as a social institution, Tiina Mälkiä (22.2.2012)

5. Social services under reconstruction: older people as the care consumers, Lina van Aerschot (29.2.2012)

6. Feminine care and masculine business, Kirsi Hasanen (7.3.2012)

***************************************

Timetable and Places:

Lectures 1.2. -7.3.2012, Wednesdays at 13-15 p.m., place: LINNA 5014

Discussion sessions:

Tuesday 27.3./TIILIKKA 12-16 p.m., place: LINNA 5015

Tuesday 27.3./OINONEN 12-16 p.m., place: LINNA 5016

Wednesday 28.3./TIILIKKA 12-16 p.m., place: Virta 234

Wednesday 28.3./OINONEN 12-16 p.m., place: LINNA 5014

******************************************

The course compensates 6 ECTS:

• Sociology: SOSLA2.4 Sosiaaliset instituutiot ja käytännöt
• Social psychology: SPSYA2.4. Instituutiot, organisaatiot ja ryhmät
• Social policy: SPOLA3A2 Hallinnan ja kansalaisuuden tutkimus
• Women studies: NAISA2D Sukupuolistunut työelämä

Youth Transition to Adulthood Today

(Based on comparative research between Finland and France, within EU context)

Course: for 18-20 students (20 maximum)

Course Goals:

The course introduces students to research conducted in advanced societies on youth transition to adulthood and youth prolongation. In the different lectures, the actual patterns and markers of transition to the stage of adulthood are examined, based on up-to-date studies. The lectures analyse the current phenomenon of youth extension and changes within the stage of transition itself. The course enlarges towards contemporary socio-economic restructuring and highlights the influence it bears upon young people's routes of integration within the wider social sphere.

************************************

Teaching Plan/Spring Term 2012

24h course - includes: 12h lectures, 12h seminars;

Lectures on Mondays, 11-13, place: Linna 5016

Seminars on Thursdays, 12-14, place: Linna 5016

Timetable:

Lecture 1: Mon 6.2.2012: course introduction, course assessment, introduction to youth studies and youth transition, distribution of reading material

Seminar 1: Thu 9.2.2012: discussing existing theories on youth transition and course assessment (doing presentations and essay writing)

Lecture 2: Mon 13.2.2012: youth extension in figures and re-contextualisation, presentation of present socio-economic situation

Seminar 2: Thu 16.2.2012: presentations, discussing young people's present social context

Lecture 3: Mon 20.2.2012: school to work transition, and general information about Finland and France (socio-economic and historical backgrounds), doing comparative research

Seminar 3: Thu 23.2.2012: presentations, discussing cross-country research and the cases of Finland and France (eg. differences and similarities)

Lecture 4: Mon 27.2.2012: integrating the labour market, youth situation in Finland and France, young people's expectations from working life and dilemmas regarding integration into working life

Seminar 4: Thu 1.3.2012: presentations and discussing young people's strategies of integration in the labour market

Lecture 5: Mon 5.3.12: leaving the parental home and plans for family formation, living arrangements

Seminar 5: Thu 8.3.2012: presentations, discussing today's young people's attitudes towards living arrangements and starting a family

Lecture 6: Mon 19.3.2012: becoming adult, re-conceptualising concepts (youth and adulthood), new perspectives on transition, new pathways to adulthood

Seminar 6: Thu 22.3.12: presentations, discussing patterns of transition and social concepts change, course conclusion

------

Learning outcomes

Students will gain knowledge on the contemporary and growing social phenomenon of youth extension, as well as the larger contextual structural causes that engender it. They will simultaneously get a clearer perspective on a given phenomenon but also its roots. In addition, students will be introduced to comparative research.

Teaching methods

The teaching occurs via lectures and seminars. The lectures provide theoretical knowledge on particular themes related to youth transition to adulthood. In the seminars, the themes are explored further during small presentations, group discussions and evaluation, based on relevant material (textbooks, articles).

Course assessment

- Participation in lectures and seminars

- The students will be required to write an essay (from a list of topics) based on one of the lecture themes.

- They will also be asked to give short presentations (usually in pairs) during the seminars, based on study material related to the lectures topics.

- Marking: grades from 1 to 5.

Youth Transition to Adulthood Today

(Based on comparative research between Finland and France, within EU context)

Course: for 18-20 students (20 maximum)

Course Goals:

The course introduces students to research conducted in advanced societies on youth transition to adulthood and youth prolongation. In the different lectures, the actual patterns and markers of transition to the stage of adulthood are examined, based on up-to-date studies. The lectures analyse the current phenomenon of youth extension and changes within the stage of transition itself. The course enlarges towards contemporary socio-economic restructuring and highlights the influence it bears upon young people's routes of integration within the wider social sphere.

************************************

Teaching Plan/Spring Term 2012

24h course - includes: 12h lectures, 12h seminars;

Lectures on Mondays, 11-13, place: Linna 5016

Seminars on Thursdays, 12-14, place: Linna 5016

Timetable:

Lecture 1: Mon 6.2.2012: course introduction, course assessment, introduction to youth studies and youth transition, distribution of reading material

Seminar 1: Thu 9.2.2012: discussing existing theories on youth transition and course assessment (doing presentations and essay writing)

Lecture 2: Mon 13.2.2012: youth extension in figures and re-contextualisation, presentation of present socio-economic situation

Seminar 2: Thu 16.2.2012: presentations, discussing young people's present social context

Lecture 3: Mon 20.2.2012: school to work transition, and general information about Finland and France (socio-economic and historical backgrounds), doing comparative research

Seminar 3: Thu 23.2.2012: presentations, discussing cross-country research and the cases of Finland and France (eg. differences and similarities)

Lecture 4: Mon 27.2.2012: integrating the labour market, youth situation in Finland and France, young people's expectations from working life and dilemmas regarding integration into working life

Seminar 4: Thu 1.3.2012: presentations and discussing young people's strategies of integration in the labour market

Lecture 5: Mon 5.3.12: leaving the parental home and plans for family formation, living arrangements

Seminar 5: Thu 8.3.2012: presentations, discussing today's young people's attitudes towards living arrangements and starting a family

Lecture 6: Mon 19.3.2012: becoming adult, re-conceptualising concepts (youth and adulthood), new perspectives on transition, new pathways to adulthood

Seminar 6: Thu 22.3.12: presentations, discussing patterns of transition and social concepts change, course conclusion

------

Learning outcomes

Students will gain knowledge on the contemporary and growing social phenomenon of youth extension, as well as the larger contextual structural causes that engender it. They will simultaneously get a clearer perspective on a given phenomenon but also its roots. In addition, students will be introduced to comparative research.

Teaching methods

The teaching occurs via lectures and seminars. The lectures provide theoretical knowledge on particular themes related to youth transition to adulthood. In the seminars, the themes are explored further during small presentations, group discussions and evaluation, based on relevant material (textbooks, articles).

Course assessment

- Participation in lectures and seminars

- The students will be required to write an essay (from a list of topics) based on one of the lecture themes.

- They will also be asked to give short presentations (usually in pairs) during the seminars, based on study material related to the lectures topics.

- Marking: grades from 1 to 5.

The aim of the course is to study and discuss: How social institutions are understood in social sciences today? How social institutions have changed? What kinds of meanings are attached to changing institutions? Themes of the course are: effects of competitive society on social institutions, competitive society and gender and interrelationship between global actors and local institutions. The focus is on social institutions such as family, education, health, welfare services and gender.

The course will be composed of lectures (12 h) and a discussion sessions (8 h). To pass the course, active participation in lectures is required and students need to write a 5 page essay paper based on themes of the lectures. Essays will be discussed jointly during discussion session.

Lectures are in English and discussion session in English.

Preliminary lecture programme:

1.Introductory lecture, Tiina Tiilikka & Eriikka Oinonen (1.2.2012)

2.Family: changing social institution?, Eriikka Oinonen (8.2.2012)

3. Health and well-being in competitive society, Tiina Tiilikka (15.2.201)

4.University as a social institution, Tiina Mälkiä (22.2.2012)

5. Social services under reconstruction: older people as the care consumers, Lina van Aerschot (29.2.2012)

6. Feminine care and masculine business, Kirsi Hasanen (7.3.2012)

***************************************

Timetable and Places:

Lectures 1.2. -7.3.2012, Wednesdays at 13-15 p.m., place: LINNA 5014

Discussion sessions:

Tuesday 27.3./TIILIKKA 12-16 p.m., place: LINNA 5015

Tuesday 27.3./OINONEN 12-16 p.m., place: LINNA 5016

Wednesday 28.3./TIILIKKA 12-16 p.m., place: Virta 234

Wednesday 28.3./OINONEN 12-16 p.m., place: LINNA 5014

******************************************

The course compensates 6 ECTS:

• Sociology: SOSLA2.4 Sosiaaliset instituutiot ja käytännöt
• Social psychology: SPSYA2.4. Instituutiot, organisaatiot ja ryhmät
• Social policy: SPOLA3A2 Hallinnan ja kansalaisuuden tutkimus
• Women studies: NAISA2D Sukupuolistunut työelämä

Youth Transition to Adulthood Today

(Based on comparative research between Finland and France, within EU context)

Course: for 18-20 students (20 maximum)

Course Goals:

The course introduces students to research conducted in advanced societies on youth transition to adulthood and youth prolongation. In the different lectures, the actual patterns and markers of transition to the stage of adulthood are examined, based on up-to-date studies. The lectures analyse the current phenomenon of youth extension and changes within the stage of transition itself. The course enlarges towards contemporary socio-economic restructuring and highlights the influence it bears upon young people's routes of integration within the wider social sphere.

************************************

Teaching Plan/Spring Term 2012

24h course - includes: 12h lectures, 12h seminars;

Lectures on Mondays, 11-13, place: Linna 5016

Seminars on Thursdays, 12-14, place: Linna 5016

Timetable:

Lecture 1: Mon 6.2.2012: course introduction, course assessment, introduction to youth studies and youth transition, distribution of reading material

Seminar 1: Thu 9.2.2012: discussing existing theories on youth transition and course assessment (doing presentations and essay writing)

Lecture 2: Mon 13.2.2012: youth extension in figures and re-contextualisation, presentation of present socio-economic situation

Seminar 2: Thu 16.2.2012: presentations, discussing young people's present social context

Lecture 3: Mon 20.2.2012: school to work transition, and general information about Finland and France (socio-economic and historical backgrounds), doing comparative research

Seminar 3: Thu 23.2.2012: presentations, discussing cross-country research and the cases of Finland and France (eg. differences and similarities)

Lecture 4: Mon 27.2.2012: integrating the labour market, youth situation in Finland and France, young people's expectations from working life and dilemmas regarding integration into working life

Seminar 4: Thu 1.3.2012: presentations and discussing young people's strategies of integration in the labour market

Lecture 5: Mon 5.3.12: leaving the parental home and plans for family formation, living arrangements

Seminar 5: Thu 8.3.2012: presentations, discussing today's young people's attitudes towards living arrangements and starting a family

Lecture 6: Mon 19.3.2012: becoming adult, re-conceptualising concepts (youth and adulthood), new perspectives on transition, new pathways to adulthood

Seminar 6: Thu 22.3.12: presentations, discussing patterns of transition and social concepts change, course conclusion

------

Learning outcomes

Students will gain knowledge on the contemporary and growing social phenomenon of youth extension, as well as the larger contextual structural causes that engender it. They will simultaneously get a clearer perspective on a given phenomenon but also its roots. In addition, students will be introduced to comparative research.

Teaching methods

The teaching occurs via lectures and seminars. The lectures provide theoretical knowledge on particular themes related to youth transition to adulthood. In the seminars, the themes are explored further during small presentations, group discussions and evaluation, based on relevant material (textbooks, articles).

Course assessment

- Participation in lectures and seminars

- The students will be required to write an essay (from a list of topics) based on one of the lecture themes.

- They will also be asked to give short presentations (usually in pairs) during the seminars, based on study material related to the lectures topics.

- Marking: grades from 1 to 5.

Youth Transition to Adulthood Today

(Based on comparative research between Finland and France, within EU context)

Course: for 18-20 students (20 maximum)

Course Goals:

The course introduces students to research conducted in advanced societies on youth transition to adulthood and youth prolongation. In the different lectures, the actual patterns and markers of transition to the stage of adulthood are examined, based on up-to-date studies. The lectures analyse the current phenomenon of youth extension and changes within the stage of transition itself. The course enlarges towards contemporary socio-economic restructuring and highlights the influence it bears upon young people's routes of integration within the wider social sphere.

************************************

Teaching Plan/Spring Term 2012

24h course - includes: 12h lectures, 12h seminars;

Lectures on Mondays, 11-13, place: Linna 5016

Seminars on Thursdays, 12-14, place: Linna 5016

Timetable:

Lecture 1: Mon 6.2.2012: course introduction, course assessment, introduction to youth studies and youth transition, distribution of reading material

Seminar 1: Thu 9.2.2012: discussing existing theories on youth transition and course assessment (doing presentations and essay writing)

Lecture 2: Mon 13.2.2012: youth extension in figures and re-contextualisation, presentation of present socio-economic situation

Seminar 2: Thu 16.2.2012: presentations, discussing young people's present social context

Lecture 3: Mon 20.2.2012: school to work transition, and general information about Finland and France (socio-economic and historical backgrounds), doing comparative research

Seminar 3: Thu 23.2.2012: presentations, discussing cross-country research and the cases of Finland and France (eg. differences and similarities)

Lecture 4: Mon 27.2.2012: integrating the labour market, youth situation in Finland and France, young people's expectations from working life and dilemmas regarding integration into working life

Seminar 4: Thu 1.3.2012: presentations and discussing young people's strategies of integration in the labour market

Lecture 5: Mon 5.3.12: leaving the parental home and plans for family formation, living arrangements

Seminar 5: Thu 8.3.2012: presentations, discussing today's young people's attitudes towards living arrangements and starting a family

Lecture 6: Mon 19.3.2012: becoming adult, re-conceptualising concepts (youth and adulthood), new perspectives on transition, new pathways to adulthood

Seminar 6: Thu 22.3.12: presentations, discussing patterns of transition and social concepts change, course conclusion

------

Learning outcomes

Students will gain knowledge on the contemporary and growing social phenomenon of youth extension, as well as the larger contextual structural causes that engender it. They will simultaneously get a clearer perspective on a given phenomenon but also its roots. In addition, students will be introduced to comparative research.

Teaching methods

The teaching occurs via lectures and seminars. The lectures provide theoretical knowledge on particular themes related to youth transition to adulthood. In the seminars, the themes are explored further during small presentations, group discussions and evaluation, based on relevant material (textbooks, articles).

Course assessment

- Participation in lectures and seminars

- The students will be required to write an essay (from a list of topics) based on one of the lecture themes.

- They will also be asked to give short presentations (usually in pairs) during the seminars, based on study material related to the lectures topics.

- Marking: grades from 1 to 5.