Integrated application of knowledge in social work - work with professional issues (BSO301)


Course description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Course code

BSO301

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

15

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

Norwegian

Content

The course consists of six topics:

  1. Methodological social work at individual, group and societal levels
  2. Mental health work
  3. Substance abuse and addiction
  4. Violence and violence prevention work
  5. Interprofessional collaboration.
  6. Preventive health care

In our welfare society, some groups are marginalised in relation to both the labour market and civil society. One of the most important tasks of social work is to understand how social problems arise and are sustained, and how social work can help empower people and highlight conditions in society that contribute to sustaining social problems and counteracting these.

Emphasis will be placed on the students’ experiences from supervised professional training, and the use of these in teaching.

Learning outcome

After successfully completing and passing the course, students will have achieved the following learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Methodological social work at individual, group and societal levels

  • Has broad knowledge about social work theory and methods that focus on individuals, families, groups and society.
  • Has knowledge about theoretical perspectives, experiential and user knowledge in social work and other relevant subject areas.
  • Has knowledge about how social problems arise and develop in a societal context.
  • Has knowledge about relevant and key legislation in welfare administration.
  • Has knowledge about research and development work relevant to social work, nationally and internationally.
  • Can apply academic knowledge about relationships and communication in supervision/guidance, motivation and systematic change work, and can guide users, patients, relatives and relevant personnel who are in learning, coping and change processes.
  • Can apply different methodological approaches at individual, group and societal levels within different service areas.
  • Can assess scientific knowledge and political framework conditions in a practical context.
  • Can acquire new knowledge and can make professional assessments, decisions and actions in accordance with knowledge-based practice. In addition, the candidate must be able to document and communicate their professional knowledge.
  • Can apply research-based, experience-based and user-based knowledge in professional practice.

Mental health work

  • Has knowledge about mental disorders and how they can contribute to marginalisation and exclusion.
  • Can apply academic knowledge about relationships and communication in supervision/guidance, motivation and systematic change work in encounters with people suffering from mental disorders.

Substance abuse and addiction

  • Has knowledge about substance abuse and addiction and how they can contribute to marginalisation and exclusion.
  • Can apply academic knowledge about relationships and communication in supervision/guidance, motivation and systematic change work in encounters with people suffering from substance abuse and addiction problems.

Violence and violence prevention work

  • Can find, assess and implement measures/interventions that alleviate and reduce the consequences of violence and abuse of adults of all ages.

Interprofessional collaboration

  • Has knowledge about the division of responsibilities and labour in welfare administration, interprofessional collaboration and the interaction that takes place between the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Preventive health care

  • Has knowledge of key problem areas such as unemployment, poverty, substance abuse and addiction, psychological difficulties, functional impairments and other conditions that can contribute to marginalization and exclusion.
  • Has knowledge of prevention and public health, and understands the interaction between health challenges and social problems at individual, family and community level.
  • Has knowledge of prevention and public health, and understands the interaction between health challenges and social problems at individual, family and community level.

Required prerequisite knowledge

One of the following alternatives:
BSO101 Introduction to social work’s platform of knowledge, BSO102 Communication and interaction in social work, BSO103 Welfare policy, BSO104 Welfare law, BSO201 Contextual social work with families and children, BSO202 Child welfare work - focusing on children and families
BSO101 Introduction to social work’s platform of knowledge, BSO102 Communication and interaction in social work, BSO103 Welfare policy, BSO104 Welfare law, BSO201 Contextual social work, BSO202 Child welfare work - focusing on children and families

Recommended prerequisites

BSOP20 Practical Studies

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Home exam 1/1 4 Days Letter grades All

Scope: Maximum 3500 words including table of contents and notes; excluding source referencing and bibliography. Referencing style: APA 7th.Students who fail the re-sit or re-scheduled course examination must take the next ordinary examination together with the subsequent year group. The compulsory activities that have already been approved do not have to be retaken. Students must take the examination in accordance with any new and revised course description, but decide themselves whether to follow teaching in the new examination semester.

Coursework requirements

Attendance

This compulsory activity must be approved in order for students to take the examination. Approval/non-approval of compulsory activities is announced on Studentweb, normally no later than 7 days before the examination. Students who lack approval will be withdrawn from the examination.

Attendance requirements: 75% attendance is required for the teaching in skills training groups and seminars. Students who have less than 75% attendance in the compulsory teaching activities lose the right to take the examination, regardless of the reason.

Course teacher(s)

Study Program Director:

Nina Thorbjørnsen

Course coordinator:

Kim Iren Kroken

Method of work

Lectures, group work and individual work on assignments, supervision/guidance in groups and online.

Literature

The syllabus can be found in Leganto