In this course, you will deepen your understanding of how diversity, social differences and exclusion influence older adults in contemporary societies. You learn to discuss and analyse how inequality arises, how it is experienced and how it changes over time. Using different theoretical perspectives, you will discover why certain groups are more vulnerable and how social change can reinforce or reduce inequalities.
Theories and perspectives for understanding complex social processes
You will work with theories that explain inequality and exclusion and use them to analyse the situation of older people today. You will discuss questions related to social justice, political priorities and the consequences of growing inequality for individuals and societies. The course encourages you to see connections across disciplines and to understand these issues through an interdisciplinary lens.
Study global trends and local consequences
The course explores how population ageing and rising inequality shape societies in Scandinavia, Europe and across the world. You will study long term changes related to ageing and inequality in areas such as working life, gender relations, migration, political conflict, international relations and shifts connected to digitalisation and climate change.
You will analyse how these developments influence solidarity, human rights, social justice and the sustainability of welfare systems. You also examine how digitalisation, climate challenges and political transformations affect everyday life for older adults and how exclusion can emerge both within and between societies.
Skills you develop during the course
You learn to discuss diversity, inequality and social exclusion in relation to ageing and social change. You develop your ability to describe and analyse inequality among older people through various theoretical approaches and to understand the social and political relevance of these issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.
You also practise conducting and systematising empirically grounded studies of social problems related to inequality and exclusion among older adults, strengthening your critical and independent research skills.
Teaching and learning activities
Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, workshops and group work. In addition, students are expected to engage in independent study.
The language of instruction and examination is English.