PHVIT9540 Participation and Cooperation Course description

The course will give the PhD candidates an ontological and epistemological basis for sustainability studies. Sustainability studies is a field devoted to studying - and ultimately transforming - the ways in which human societies interact with and depend upon the natural environment. It is now a vast field of research, concerning many disciplines and diverse areas of production, both material and immaterial. The aim of the course is to give candidates a scientific theoretical foundation that will enable them to proceed with research on sustainability in their own area of study. The course will address basic theories and philosophy concerning the underlying discourses, structures, values and norms that shape how sustainability is understood and acted upon. This includes inquiries into the dynamics and logics of various sustainability approaches and discourses, including their limitations and potentials, and the wider implications for both science and practical decision making. It also includes the role of transformation and social change, and the roles that sustainability science could play in their promotion. The syllabus may be abbreviated and adapted to fit the interest of the participants of the course in cooperation with the supervisors.

This course is primarily aimed at PhD candidates admitted to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences but is also open to other applicants. Admission requirements are a completed major, master's degree (120 credits) or equivalent qualification.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

On completion of the course, the PhD candidate has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate

• is at the forefront of knowledge of conceptual understanding and theories of user involvement and professional input
• can critically assess how different perspectives of user involvement and professional coordination can be applied in health science research

Skills

The PhD candidate can

• critically reflect on the knowledge base for user involvement and coordination
• articulate problems that address the complex relationships between individuals, service provision, and society in health science research
• design a plan for including users in research design

General competence

The PhD candidate can

• discuss user involvement and coordination as concepts and practices based on critical thinking of empowerment, goal-setting, and relationships between professionals and users
• communicate and discuss topics from research about user involvement and coordination in the field of the health sciences
• demonstrate how critical insight generated from studies of user involvement and coordination can be applied in innovation processes

Work and teaching methods consist of lectures, seminars, and self-study. The outcomes of the seminars are presented and discussed in plenary sessions.

Individual glossary (4000-5000 words). The glossary will discuss relevant terms that relate to the understandings and meanings of sustainability in the candidate’s PhD project. Cover page, illustrations, and list of references come in addition.

If a glossary is graded fail, the candidate has one opportunity to resubmit a revised glossary within a given time-period.

All examination support material is allowed if source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.

Assessment is pass/ fail.

The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer and one other examinator. External examinators will be used regularly. The assessment of the essay is based on the learning outcomes for the course.

Cecilie Sachs Olsen