VER215 Topics in social studies

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Bachelor's Programme in Social Education

Teaching language

This course is taught in Norwegian and an English translation of the course description is not available.

Course contents

Key topics in the course are:

• Power and powerlessness

• Stigma, deviations, normality

• Social problems and social inequality

• Culture, family, health

• Living conditions and social inequality

• Public health

• Minorities

• Inclusion, equality and non-discrimination

• Interdisciplinary, interprofessional and cross-sectoral collaboration

• Legal methododology

• The central health laws

• Self-determination / consent, autonomy, user participation

• Documentation obligation / record keeping

• Coercion, guardianship

• Duty of confidentiality, cooperation

• The ethical values ​​of health law

• Children's rights

• Social worker as an employee - rights and duties

• Equality and discrimination laws

Learning outcomes

The student:

Knowledge

• demonstrates knowledge of interdisciplinary, interprofessional and cross-sectoral collaboration between and across enterprises and levels

• demonstrates broad knowledge of inclusion, equality and non-discrimination regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion and outlook on life, culture, disability, diagnosis, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and age, so that the candidate contributes to ensuring equal services for all groups in society and demonstrates broad knowledge of the relationship between disability and disability, and how disability barriers can be reduced

• demonstrates broad knowledge of the life situation of people with developmental disabilities from a societal perspective

• demonstrates knowledge of how society is built, functions and changes, and how individuals' behavior and situation are affected by the society of which they are a part

• demonstrates knowledge of how social inequality and social problems such as neglect, violence, abuse, bullying, drug and socio-economic problems affect health, living conditions and quality of life

• demonstrates knowledge of the Samis' status as an indigenous people and of the Samis' rights, especially in the health and social fields

• is familiar with the rights of minorities, and demonstrates knowledge of and understanding of their status as a minorities

• demonstrates broad knowledge of conventions, laws, rules to ensure the rights of the disabled, and the rights of Sami users as indigenous people

• demonstrates broad knowledge of self-determination and user participation

• demonstrates knowledge of the health and welfare system, current laws and regulations and guides in the field and how health and social policy guidelines affect the performance of services and the life situation of service recipients

• demonstrates knowledge about children and young people and is a practitioner who takes care of their needs for treatment and / or services and can ensure their participation and rights

Skills

• is able to apply professional knowledge to initiate and contribute to interdisciplinary, interprofessional and cross-sectoral collaboration

• is able to apply professional knowledge to plan necessary measures, and / or treatment of social problems or refer further if necessary

• is able to apply professional knowledge to assess one can promote inclusion, gender equality and participation in all parts of society

• is able to apply up-to-date knowledge of the health and welfare system, laws, regulations and guides in his/her service provision to ensure equal and professionally sound services to the service recipients.

General competence

• demonstrates insight into the connections between health, education, work and living conditions, and is able to assess how one may contribute to good public health and work inclusion

• is able to exchange views and experiences with others in the field on issues that arise when self-determination is challenged, and through this contribute to the prevention of coercion and the development of professionally sound practice

• demonstrates insight into relevant professional and ethical issues in the social educator's professional practice and can identify, reflect on and deal with these in the service practice through professional judgment

• is able to plan measures and service design in line with professional guidelines, ethical requirements and guidelines

• demonstrates insight into professional, ethical and legal challenges and dilemmas derived from environmental therapeutic work, habilitation and rehabilitation

• is able to convey professional views and experience-based knowledge related to the rights of the disabled in order to contribute to self-determination and equal participation in society for people with disabilities.

Examination requirements

• Participated in compulsory education

• Approved mandatory work requirements

See further information in the subject booklet.

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, work requirements and self-study. There is compulsory teaching in the subject. Mandatory activities are described in more detail in the subject booklet on Canvas.

Expected workload is 540 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

The exam is in two parts. An overall graded grade is given for the course.

Each part counts 50%. Both parts must be assessed as passed in order for the examination as a whole to be assessed as passed.

Part 1. Legal issues

Individual 4-hour school exam. Graded assessment.

See the subject booklet for a more detailed description.

Part 2. Sociology and social anthropology

2 days individual home exam. Graded assessment.

See the subject booklet for a more detailed description.

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
VER106 – Topics in Social Sciences	10
VER107 – Topics in Social Sciences	10
VER108 – Legal topics	5