HYTM1101 Society, Work, and Belonging (3–5 op)

• Cluster 1: Orientation & foundation (Finland in context, language learning, social life).
• Cluster 2: Work & economic life (industry landscape, labour market norms, industrial relations).
• Cluster 3: Society & belonging (civil society, identity, media ecosystems).
• Cluster 4: Agency & inclusion (politics, democracy, everyday encounters).

By completing the module, students will be able to:

1. Navigate JYU as a society, Finnish society, and everyday life (healthcare, housing, taxation, work) with realistic, up-to-date insights.
2. Understand Finland’s labour market and workplace norms, including rights and responsibilities before or right upon venturing into the labour market.
3. Engage more and in a timely fashion with Finnish language learning strategies and resources.
4. Build networks across cultures for academic, professional, and social integration.
5. Critically reflect on identity, inclusion, and civic participation in Finland with colleagues and experts.
6. Demonstrate readiness for internships, employment, and active citizenship.

• Workload in time: (81-135 hours).
• Delivery: Lecture format teaching, Seminars and Webinars; Workshops; Site visits; Experiential learning experiments e.g., tabletop exercises; Simulations, and Twinning exercises - Primarily in-person (with online participation only when necessary).
• Assessment: Pass/Fail based on participation and reflective tasks.
• Target group: All degree students (Finnish + international).
• Strategic fit: Supports JYU’s internationalisation goals and Finland’s talent retention strategy.

Students must be enrolled in at least a level one higher education programme at JYU.

• Curated list of journal articles, book chapters, reports, newspaper articles, legislation, platforms, etc.
• Curated “Living in Finland” resource list (residence permit system, housing, healthcare, taxation, cultural norms, social activities and societal participation).
• Guides on Finnish language learning strategies
• Case studies on labour market and industrial relations · Media literacy resources for navigating Finnish information ecosystems.

1. Academic Literature: An interdisciplinary collection of articles and book chapters, and books from the following fields: Migration studies, Intercultural communication, History, Sociology, Political Science, and Industrial Relations among others.
2. Grey Literature: Relevant Finnish (and some EU) migration and integration policy documents and strategy statement; Scientific reports from studies of relevant topics on migration and integration in Finland
3. Primary data/records: As the course progresses, the instructors will build a library of case issues, questions, key shared lived experience accounts to be anonymised as agreed upon and shared with the whole class and future cohorts.