SOSV3230 Superdiversity: Diversity and social inequality in the city Course description

Cities in Norway, and Oslo in particular, have become increasingly heterogeneous with rising social inequality, residential segregation and social exclusion. Social inequality is unevenly distributed between city districts, and people living in districts characterised by ethnic, cultural and religious diversity are more likely to be affected by poor living conditions. The term ‘superdiversity’ is used to emphasise that in these city districts, diversity means so much more than just ethnic diversity. Other key variables include differences in rights status, labour market experience, family practices and family sizes, residential segregation and local responses from the population and public service providers. ‘Superdiversity’ refers to the complexity that arises from the combination of these circumstances. Students taking this course will acquire knowledge of and perspectives on particular challenges associated with social work in a city setting. The course takes as its point of departure the citizenship perspective, whereby the purpose of social work is to give as many people as possible a real possibility to live a qualitatively good life characterised by participation and a sense of mastery.

The language of instruction is Norwegian.

None.

In this module, the students will be allowed to delve deeper into one or more areas of design. They will plan and carry out a creative design and development process, preferably with a focus on the users’ needs, wishes and requirements. Critical reflection and dialogue with the target groups and regular user presentations/tests will be an essential part of the work.

Knowledge equivalent to having passed the first, second, third and fourth semester, or equivalent.

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

Knowledge

The student

• is capable of carrying out a complex design process with a pertaining specialisation in the design discipline, from an international and sustainable perspective
• knows relevant methods and tools in the chosen design practice
• can systematically explore aesthetics, functionality, material technology and production methods within the chosen design practice
• can do critical reflections in relation to own design practice

Skills

The student is capable of:

• identifying and describing the relevance of a chosen design practice
• demonstrating how users, stakeholders and professional/resource environments can be involved in the project
• mastering digital and analogue tools, such as development, communication and presentation tools
• leading a discussion, through testing, visualisation and presentation of models/prototypes (physical or virtual), that provides and demonstrates deep insight into a chosen design practice

General competence

The student:

• can contribute to critical reflection in a local and global perspective
• is perceived through the project work as an innovative design student who possesses in-depth knowledge in a chosen area
• is capable of building relevant networks
• is capable of communicating with the parties involved such as users and audience
• is capable of sharing own experience and knowledge with other students and taking part in discussions with the design discipline
• is capable of reflecting on his/her own development in the learning process

Independent work, individually or in small groups.

Workshops, lectures, visits to enterprises and supervision linked to a chosen specialisation.

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Reflection on learning in the project
• Approved project description (individual or in small groups)

Portfolio assessment subject to the following requirements:

• Documentation of the design process; max 3500 Words
• Product documentation, functional prototype and descriptions

The medium and form depend on the chosen specialisation.

Both parts of the portfolio must be passed (grade E or better) to pass the exam in the course.

The exam result can be appealed.

All.

Grade scale A-F