SFB4000 Theoretical Approaches to Family: The Knowledge Base for Therapautic Work Course description

In this course, the students will acquire sound knowledge and an in-depth subject understanding of the interaction between society, family and the individual based on different theoretical perspectives. We deal with  understanding the family as an institution, as a collection of individuals with individual rights, and as a practice and display. The concept of family will be analysed as situated in time and space, i.e. normative knowledge about families will be viewed in a political, historical and cultural context, where the Norwegian Welfare state is a central context. The theories used are both national and international

Language of instruction is Norwegian. Some lectures may be given in English. 

For those who take this course as an elective, it is recommended that students have SSA4000 Perspectives in Social Studies from Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, or similar course from somewhere else, which provides a basis for applying different theories and perspectives in the analysis of social issues.

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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

• knowledge of the historical changes in the western family
• in-depth knowledge of the welfare state and the family
• in-depth knowledge of parenting and childhood, and how gender, class and ethnicity influence the understanding of children, parents and family
• knowledge of how living conditions influence the everyday life of children and families

Skills

The student is capable of

• reflecting on normative aspects of the family therapy field
• analysing families from different perspectives
• analysing children and parents from different perspectives
• apply different theoretical approaches to illuminate the complexity of the family therapy field
• linking theoretical knowledge to different clinical training situations

Competence

The student is capable of

• analysing family-related phenomena from different perspectives
• considering ethics when research is disseminated and applied in clinical therapy 

The course consists of lectures on theoretical and thematic subjects. Each lecture contains discussions that should serve as an exercise in applying theories to empirical examples.

An overview of the course's theoretical and thematic topics will be available before the course starts, and students are encouraged to use this actively in colloquiums and self-study to gain better control of a complex field.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam: 

• Submit an individual, written paper of 5 pages (+/- 10 percent). Font and font size: Calibri 12 pt. Line spacing: 1,5. The paper is based on a selected question from a list of questions. 

The aim of the coursework requirement is to get training in academic writing with feedback from teachers. The writing training should provide better insight into the use of theory and the theory's relevance to practice. 

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by a given deadline. 

The exam in the subject is an individual school exam of 4 hours.

No aids are allowed.

Grade scale A-F. 

The exams are assessed by one internal and one external examiner. 

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Randi Wærdahl and Wenche Bekken