BV1400 Psychosocial perspectives – Child neglect, violence and sexual abuse Course description

This course provides an introduction to topics related to children and young people in vulnerable life situations. Core topics are the different impacts of neglect, domestic violence and sexual abuse, and the students will gain knowledge of the consequences of violence and sexual abuse for the child’s development. The course also provides knowledge of how these topics are handled by professionals in the field of child care and welfare.

The teaching programme ‘The Same Child - Different Arenas’ (INTER1100) will be taught at the start of the course. See INTERACT’s website for a more detailed description of the content of INTER1100: https://www.oslomet.no/forskning/forskningsprosjekter/interact

Language of instruction is Norwegian, although some teaching will be conducted in English.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has acquired understanding and knowledge from research and the field of practice of different types of child neglect, violence and sexual abuse
• has knowledge of the psychological consequences of being subjected to neglect, domestic violence and sexual abuse as a child
• has knowledge of risk and protection factors related to neglect, violence and sexual abuse
• has knowledge of communicating with children and young people in a society characterised by diversity
• has knowledge of how child welfare officers can contribute to identifying and helping children who have experienced violence and sexual abuse
• has knowledge of how neglect, violence and sexual abuse can be understood in light of different theoretical perspectives and disciplines
• has knowledge of relevant legal frameworks concerning violence and abuse, including human rights protections

Skills

The student

• can refer to knowledge of neglect, violence and sexual abuse when working on issues related to child care and welfare
• can reflect on the relationship between neglect, violence and sexual abuse and gender, ethnicity, religion and view of life, functional impairment, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and age
• is able to apply professional knowledge to communicate and collaborate appropriately with children, young people and their guardians, and to engage in conversations with children about topics such as neglect, violence and abuse
• is able to contribute to safeguarding children's right to protection from violence and abuse

General competence

The student

• has insight into relevant issues related to neglect, violence and sexual abuse
• can share points of views about why and in which ways neglect, violence and sexual abuse are relevant to the practice of child care and welfare
• can reflect on their own behaviour when interacting with others

The teaching takes place with in-person attendance on campus, and the course is taught through lectures, self-study, group work and other teaching methods as needed.

The following compulsory activity must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: skills training in professional interaction (dialogue seminar) lasting 4 days 

The minimum attendance requirement is 80%. If a student’s absence exceeds 20% but is lower than 40%, a compensatory coursework requirement will be set. The coursework requirement must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If a student’s absence exceeds 40%, they lose the right to take the exam. 

The exam in the course is an individual supervised exam of 5 hours.

No aids are permitted.

Grade scale A-F.

All exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.