EPN-V2

SFV4300 The Intersection of Social Categories in Social Work Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Sosiale kategoriers samspill i sosialt arbeid
Study programme
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Study Option International Social Welfare and Health Policy
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care
Master in Programme Applied Social Sciences
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences
Elective modules, Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Social Work, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Social Work
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

In the social sciences, social categories, such as gender, social class, ethnicity, 'race', sexuality, and age, have traditionally formed separate research fields, often attached to different theories. A result of this division has been that such categories are often portrayed as isolated variables in people's lives. Criticism levelled at such interpretations makes the point that they do not sufficiently address the dynamism that emerges when several categories intersect. Is importance attached to the category "man" or to the category "ethnic minority"? Does the category "woman" offer the same room of opportunity for all those who are categorised or identify as women? Do the categories "young", "boy", "immigrant", have another meaning attached to them than "young", "boy", "Norwegian"?

The course looks at theories that address how such categories have different meanings depending on the combination with other categories. The course offers theoretical, methodological and practical opportunities to explore the dynamism that emerges in the interaction between key social categories. During the course, we will work at making these types of analyses relevant for social work in general.

Language of instruction is Norwegian.

Required preliminary courses

None.

Learning outcomes

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

The student has

  • knowledge of power and categorisation processes that contribute to forming the relevant categories in our age
  • insight into the intersection between the categories¿ design and importance in different socio-cultural contexts
  • knowledge of classical and new theoretical contributions that attempt to understand prominent social categories, such as gender, ethnicity, ¿race¿, social class, sexual orientation and age
  • an understanding of how social categories and intersections between them has importance for professionals as well as the different user groups' conditions and social sphere of action

Skills

The student is capable of

  • mastering analytical aspects and approaches that are appropriate for analysing implicit and explicit understandings and theoretical contributions, as well as empirical phenomena in the various fields of social work from a perspective of intersectionality
  • applying knowledge about the relevant social categories and their interaction in research and development work relating to the social work field and/or different user groups, and to social work's conditions and functions in society

General competence

The student​

  • can critically reflect on various power relations and their interactions that are evident in social work

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching takes place with in-person attendance on campus, and the working methods are lectures and class discussions.

Course requirements

No coursework requirements and no compulsory activities.

Assessment

The exam in the course is an individual home exam over a period of 96 hours (4 days). The exam paper must have a scope of 8 pages (+/- 10 per cent). Font and font size: Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grading scale

A grade scale A-F.

Examiners

The exam papers 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.

Course contact person

Ariana Guilherme Fernandes