SOS3120 Social problems, social policy and social work Course description

In this course, we will look at how socio-political reform and interventions are based on the norms, attitudes and values of the welfare state, as well as research-based knowledge. The course explores the consequences of policy changes, reforms and interventions for users and social work practice. This involves questions regarding the unintentional and intentional effects of policy change for users’ welfare and social workers’ professional scope of action. In their work on relevant topics, which will be determined in advance, such as poverty, substance abuse, mental health, housing or migration, students will use social science knowledge to analyse focus areas and interventions in social policy.

Students must participate in the interprofessional teaching programme **‘Interprofessional Cooperation on and with Children and Young People’, INTER1300. Relevant topics include children and young people’s cooperation with professionals, explorative approaches to children, young people and their families, and professionals’ contributions to parents’ and children/young people’s formation of opinions. See INTERACT’s website for a more detailed description of the content of INTER1300. https://www.oslomet.no/forskning/forskningsprosjekter/interact

Students must have completed and passed the second year of the Bachelor’s Programme in Social Work.

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 broad knowledge of the importance of social policy to social work practice.
• has broad knowledge of how social problems are defined, constructed and develop in a social context
• has broad knowledge of social class, power and the living conditions of marginalised groups
• has broad knowledge of marginalisation processes, discrimination and racism
• has knowledge of migration in a global perspective and how migration affects people’s social and material living conditions
• has knowledge of how neoliberalism and globalisation affect the increased individualisation of social problems and problem-solving 

 Skills

The student:

• can identify, obtain and assess information and knowledge that shed light on socio-political processes and effects
• can identify and analyse which understandings of social problems form the basis for socio-political interventions
• can critically reflect on concrete social problems and interventions based on social science theories, research and evaluations

General competence

The student: 

• has insight into power structures and the exercise of power in society
• has insight into how the norms, attitudes, values and theoretical basis of the welfare state affect how marginalised groups are perceived and understood
• has a critical understanding of how the socio-political norms set the agenda for the methods and models used in social work and how this may impact individuals.

Students will be taught key topics related to social policy and social work and participate in seminars in connection with the pre-determined topics in the course.

No coursework requirements or compulsory activites.

An individual oral exam with a time frame of approx. 35 minutes.

Candidates who fail or who were absent from the ordinary exam for a valid reason can take a resit/rescheduled exam. 

The course deals with the professional role and work of biomedical laboratory scientists. It is essential that biomedical laboratory scientists have knowledge of their role and the role of laboratory medicine in the health services. Students will develop qualifications in medical laboratory sciences, enabling them to practice in this field. The course places emphasis on linking learning to authentic work situations and issues under the supervision of experienced biomedical laboratory scientists with relevant expertise.

• Passed first and second year or equivalent of the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, or
• Admitted to the Complementary Education in Biomedical Laboratory Science

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

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the significance that the laboratory activities at the practical training institution has to the health service and can discuss the biomedical laboratory scientist’s professional role
• has knowledge of the principles behind selected analyses and investigations at the practical training institution
• can describe the correct treatment of different types of human biological sample material and how analytical, pre- and postanalytical conditions affect analysis results
• can describe a sample's journey through the laboratory, the requisition and results communication system
• can describe the quality assurance systems at the practical training institution
• can describe the legal basis of medical laboratory activities

Skills

The student

• can use the analysis instruments and laboratory equipment used at the practical training institution
• masters selected methods for biomedical laboratory sciences work in a structured and precise manner, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and procedures, and assess the methods’ possibilities, limitations and sources of error
• can assess the risk of undesirable incidents and is familiar with methods for following this up in a systematic manner at the practical training institution
• can master information technology and automation systems, including laboratory information systems (LIS), middleware systems and management systems for analysis instruments at the practical training institution
• can handle human biological material and protect privacy in relation to reception and storage

General competence

The student

• can document, discuss and disseminate his/her knowledge of biomedical laboratory sciences issues and exchange points of view and experience, and can update his/her knowledge both through collecting information and through contact with the academic and professional field
• can comply with laws and regulations governing the field
• can reflect on his/her own academic practice, acquire new knowledge, seek and accept supervision
• identify and reflect on relevant professional ethical issues and handle them in his/her biomedical laboratory work
• reflect on his/her own and others' role in interdisciplinary cooperation with the patient’s best interest in mind

Work and teaching methods comprise seminars and external practical training.

The students must undergo seven weeks of supervised external practical training in a medical laboratory.