PINS9520 Society and Sustainability Course description

After completing the course and INTER1200*, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• is capable of describing relevant user groups, professional issues and occupational therapy methods at the placement training establishment
• is capable of describing the position of occupational therapy within the placement’s framework and organisation at different levels
• is capable of describing relevant partners' tasks
• is capable of discussing how activity analyses are consistently used in occupational therapy processes
• has knowledge of the importance of appreciative communication with children and adolescents and their parents/guardians*
• is capable of describing for children and adolescents’ right to participation in decisions that concern them*
• is capable is describing the significance of explorative approaches in cooperation with children and young people*

Skills

The student is capable of

• using mapping methods relating to occupation, skills and functional assessments that are relevant at the practical training establishment
• using and communicating systematic activity analyses through an occupational therapy work process
• initiating relevant interventions under supervision based on, among other things, a complete systematic occupational analysis
• applying activities methodically to promote occupational performance and justifying this through clinical reasoning
• assessing and adjusting their own therapeutic competence in encounters with users, or making referrals as needed
• applying users' and next of kin's experiential competence in line with evidence-based practice
• applying clinical reasoning, assessing and adjusting his/her own therapeutic expertise in dealing with people who are in a learning and coping process, or referring them to other professionals if necessary
• searching for and disseminating scientific literature of relevance to his/her for own professional practice at the practical training establishment
• applying relevant theory and research, and making professional assessments, decisions and actions in accordance with evidence-based practice
• carrying out conversations about everyday life with children and young people*
• communicating in an appreciative manner with parents/guardians*

General competence

The student is capable of

• demonstrating good communication skills and adapting their communication in meetings with users and other partners
• disseminating and documenting occupational therapy professional practice in writing and orally in the forms and procedures relevant to the practical training establishment
• identifying and reflecting on professional and ethical issues and dilemmas
• taking responsibility for, showing initiative and cooperation skills in practice
• planning and interdisciplinary cooperation within the framework of the practical training establishment
• assessing and preventing the risk of undesirable incidents and complying with the practical training establishment’s procedures
• reflecting on his/her own role in explorative conversations with children, adolescents and their parents/guardians*
• understanding the importance of interprofessional cooperation with children, adolescents and their parents/guardians*

The following must be approved:

• cooperation agreement with specification of the learning outcomes

An attendance requirement also applies, see ‘assessment of practical training’ in the programme description's main part for more information.

Coursework requirements relating to INTER1200:

• individual log. Scope: 500 words (+/- 10%). In order to write the log, the student must first attend a seminar over two days.

Upon completing the course, the candidates are expected to have gained the following learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, and general competence).

Knowledge

The candidate:

• is at the forefront of knowledge for analysing how societal institutions, forms of organization, and infrastructures influence sustainability practices
• can contribute to the development of novel and cross-cutting sustainability methods in their own profession

Skills

The candidate:

• can formulate questions, plan and carry out research on sustainability issues related to their professions
• can engage in discussions of how sustainable practices can be facilitated at institutional, organizational and infrastructural levels
• can challenge established knowledge in their own professions and identify critical success factors for sustainable transformation

General competence

The candidate:

• can adopt a societal perspective on sustainability challenges in society at large and within their own professions
• can contribute with new, advanced knowledge and insights on sustainability transformations
• can communicate sustainability research and development work to society as well as through recognized academic channels such as scientific workshops, conferences and journals

Lectures, workshops, seminars.

Active participation in the seminars is necessary to adequately understand the course material and themes. Participation is therefore mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching and required to attend at least 80 percent of teaching days. In special cases of documented illness, the course leader may accept exceptions to this requirement. In these cases, lack of participation can be substituted with alternative arrangements such as writing a reflection note. Course requirements are assessed as confirmed or not confirmed. The course requirement must be completed and confirmed within the given deadline in order to have the right to submit a final essay.

The course requirements are:

• A plenary presentation on a subject decided in collaboration with the course lecturer.
• A prepared opposition to at least one other presentation.
• 80 % attendance is required.

Individual essay (4000-5000 words). The essay will discuss the most important theoretical aspects from the syllabus, with relevance for the candidate’s PhD project. Cover page, illustrations, and list of references come in addition.

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

All examination support material is allowed as long as 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.

Sveinung Legard

Gavin McCrory