| Statuss(Aktīvs) | Izdruka | Arhīvs(0) | Studiju plāns Vecais plāns | Kursu katalogs | Vēsture |
| Course title | Human Development and Qulity of Life |
| Course code | SociM011 |
| Credit points (ECTS) | 5 |
| Total Hours in Course | 135 |
| Number of hours for lectures | 20 |
| Number of hours for seminars and practical classes | 20 |
| Number of hours for laboratory classes | 0 |
| Independent study hours | 95 |
| Date of course confirmation | 12/03/2025 |
| Responsible Unit | Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Course developers | |
| Dr. sc. soc., prof. Līga Paula Dr. oec., pasn. Anda Grīnfelde |
|
| Prior knowledge | |
| Soci5014, Development Programms Soci5042, Social Welfare SociM003, Qualitative Research Methods SociM007, Quantitative Research Methods |
|
| Course abstract | |
| The aim of the study course is to develop an understanding of the theoretical framework and methodological potential of life quality studies in social sciences, as well as the nature of the concept of human development and its significance in different sectoral policies, both in Latvia and in the global context. The study course deepens understanding of the possibilities for the use and analysis of the basic principles of the concept of human development in fields important to society in relation to quality of life and sustainability. Within the framework of the course, master students acquire in-depth knowledge regarding conceptualisation of quality of life and human development and the specificity of research, factors affecting quality of life, research levels, as well as objective and subjective indicators, research approaches and theories explaining quality of life. | |
| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| Knowledge of the nature, development, levels of research, paradigms, methodological problems and the role of quality-of-life research in public administration (test, examination); in-depth knowledge of the concept of human development and its use in promoting the sustainability of areas of public importance (individual tasks, seminars); understanding of the criteria and indicators for evaluating the dimensions of human development (individual task 1).
Professional skills. Ability to evaluate and apply theoretical approaches explaining quality of life in empirical research (test, exam); ability to plan and complete the tasks assigned, argue their views in group discussions, participate in group work (seminars, individual task 3); ability to independently find information in databases and critically evaluate information regarding human development dimensions of the population and the paradigms of quality-of-life research (seminars, exam). Soft skills. Ability to perform tasks responsibly, including in time, as well as explain their views in a reasoned, critical and argumentative manner (individual tasks). Competence. Ability to analyse policy documents and develop reasoned proposals for the improvement of sectoral policies, using the principles of quality of life and human development approach (individual task 3); ability to understand in depth the possibilities for the use of quality-of-life measurements in the development of social policy and to independently develop a study design regarding one of the factors affecting the quality of life and the human development (examination). |
|
| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| Full-time studies:
Lecture topics (20 hours): 1.Historical development of quality of life as an area of research. Concept of human development. (2 hours) 2.Conceptualisation of quality of life in social sciences. (1 hour) 3.Possibilities for measuring quality of life. Measuring the human development. (3 hours) 4.Characterisation of quality-of-life models. (2 hours). 5.Human development and human rights. (1 hour) 6.Human needs and capabilities: a comparison of theoretical approaches. Human poverty and inequality. (2 hours) 7.The role of the state and public sector in human development and the promotion of quality of life. The role of quality-of-life research in social policy. (2 hours) 8.Concepts of human development and quality of life aspects in various areas of public importance (education, employment, health sector, gender equality). (4 hours) 9.Security aspects of the human development. (2 hour) 10.Development cooperation. (1 hour) List of seminar topics (20 hours): 1.Individual task 1. Analysis of Human Development reports. (2 hours) 2.Paradigms of the practical application of the theoretical model of quality-of-life integrated research. (1 hour) 3.Opportunities for the use of theoretical models of the quality of life developed by Dennis Raphael and Eric Allard. (1 hour) 4.Test. Characterisation of subjective well-being and objective living conditions and their application in quality-of-life research. (2 hours) 5.Individual task 2. Modern slavery and its forms. Analysis of the situation in Latvia and the world. (2 hours) 6.A healthy society as a factor influencing the quality of life and human development. Analysis of the situation in Latvia and the world (2 hours) 7.Quality of life in the context of ageing society: identifying problems and their solutions. (2 hours) 8.Construction of “good life” of various social categories in Latvian media. (2 hours) 9.Individual task 3. Quality of life aspects in medium-term national and local government development documents: analysis of the situation in Latvia. (2 hours) 10.Human development as an opportunity to increase human capital and quality of professional life. (2 hours) 11.Human security aspects in Latvia and the world. (2 hours) Part-time distance learning: All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies. |
|
| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| Exam. The final assessment is cumulative for the following topics and tasks:
1)Analysis of Human Development reports (Individual task 1) – 15%; 2)Characterisation of subjective well-being and objective living conditions and their application in quality-of-life research (test) - 15%; 3)Modern slavery and its forms (Individual task 2) -15%; 4)Quality of life aspects in medium-term national and local government development documents: analysis of the situation in Latvia (Individual task 3) - 15%; 5)Construction of research design of an aspect affecting quality of life (exam) – 40%. The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable. |
|
| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| Literature studies for elaboration of individual tasks (45 hours), preparing for a test (15 hours) and exam (35 hours). | |
| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| Master students should prepare three individual tasks (45%), successfully pass the test (15%) and present the study design of an aspect affecting quality of life developed during the exam (40%). 10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point assessment scale. | |
| Compulsory reading | |
| 1.An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach: Freedom and Agency. Eds. S. Deneulin, L. Shahani. Ottawa: Human Development and Capability Association, 2009. Pieejams: https://www.idrc.ca/en/book/introduction-human-development-and-capability-approach-freedom-and-agency
2.Latvija. Pārskats par tautas attīstību (kopš 1995. gada). Pieejams: https://www.lu.lv/zinatne/programmas-un-projekti/citi-projekti-un-petijumi/tautas-attistibas-parskata-projekts/ 3.UNDP. Human Development Report (kopš 1990. gada). Pieejams: http://hdr.undp.org/en/global-reports 4.Alkire S. Human Development: Definitions, Critiques, and Related Concepts. Pieejams: http://www.ophi.org.uk/human-development-definitions-critiques-and-related-concepts/ 5.Abbott L.Ferris. (2004). The Quality of Life Concept in Sociology, The American Sociologist/Fall. 6.Phillips D. (2006). Quality of Life: Concept, Policy and Practice. London and New York: Routledge, 288 p. 7.Sirgy M. J. (2001). Handbook of Quality-of-Life Research: An Ethical Marketing Perspective by Social Indicators Research Series, Volume 8., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands. 8.Rapley M. (2003). Quality of Life Research: A Critical Introduction. London: SAGE Publications Ltd, 286 p. eBook. Pieejams elektroniski LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.lbtu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=251711&site=ehost-live&scope=site 9.Mira G.R., Uzzell L.D., Real J.E., Romay J. (Eds.) (2017). Housing, Space and Quality of Life. London and New York: Routledge, 185 p. 10.Ivaldi E., Soliani R., Bonatti G. (2016.) The Measurement of Well-Being in the Current Era. Hauppauge, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 168 p. eBook. Pieejams elektroniski LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.lbtu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=1455081&site=ehost-live&scope=site 11.Stiglitz E.J. (2019). For Good Measure: An Agenda for Moving Beyond GDP. New York: The New Press, 427 p. eBook. Pieejams elektroniski LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.lbtu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=2088720&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_frontcover |
|
| Further reading | |
| 1.Costanza R. Addicted to Growth: Societal Therapy for a Sustainable Wellbeing Future. London; NY: Routledge, 2023. 136 p. ISBN: 978-1-032-00334-4
2.Jaunas pieejas sociālās attīstības mērīšanā: cilvēki, teritorijas, pašvaldības. Zin. red. A. Zobena, I. Ijabs. Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte, 2015. 390 lpp. Pieejams: http://www.szf.lu.lv/fileadmin/user_upload/szf_faili/Petnieciba/sppi/tautas/Soc_attistibas_merishana.epub 3.Bunge M. What is a quality of life indicator? Social Indicators Research, Vol. 2, 1975, p. 65–79. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007 4.Social Ouality: A Vision for Europe. Ed.by W. Beck et al. Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2001. 5.Ventegodt S., Merrick J., Andersen N. J. Quality of Life Theory I. The IQOL Theory: An Integrative Theory of the Global Quality of Life Concept. The Scientific World Journal, Vol. 3, 2003, p. 1030-1040. 6.Veenhoven R. Quality-of-Life Research, 2007. Pieejams: ttp://hdl.handle.net/1765/12321 |
|
| Periodicals and other sources | |
| 1.Journal of Human Development and Capabilities. London: Routledge. ISSN 1945-2837. Pieejams: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cjhd20/current
2.World Development. Qubec, Monreal: World development Editorial Office. ISNN 0305-750X. Pieejams: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/world-development 3.The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Pieejams: https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html 4.International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Pieejams: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CESCR.aspx 5.ICCPR. Pieejams: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, G.A. res. 2200A 6.UN. The 17 goals. Pieejams: https://sdgs.un.org/goals 6.Quality of Life Research. ISSN 15732649. Pieejams: https://www.springer.com/journal/11136 7.Eurostat. Quality of life indicators - measuring quality of life. Pieejams: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Quality_of_life_indicators_-_measuring_quality_of_life 8.Centrālā statistikas pārvalde. Dzīves kvalitātes rādītāji. Pieejams: https://www.csb.gov.lv/lv/statistika/statistikas-temas/socialie-procesi/dzives_kvalitate/galvenie-raditaji/dzives-kvalitates-raditaji 9.Latvijas iedzīvotāju dzīves kvalitātes indekss. Stratēģiskās analīzes komisijas darba grupas atskaite. Pieejams: http://petijumi.mk.gov.lv/sites/default/files/file/VP_Latv_dzives_kval_indekss.pdf |
|
| Notes | |
| Restricted elective course for the master students of the academic master’s study programme „Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”. | |