SP9000 Ideas and Concepts in Social Work and Social Policy Course description

The course is mandatory for all candidates. It is recommended that candidates complete this course as early as possible in the programme.

The course takes a conceptual and history of ideas approach to social work and social policy as a field of knowledge and as institutional practice. The course is intended to develop the integration of the two subject areas social work and social policy, and endeavours will be made to contribute to such integration through the teaching and the issues raised. The course consists of three main thematic components:

• Important methodological approaches to the study of concepts and ideas.
• Important traditions in social work and social policy.
• Development of core concepts in social policy and social work.  

No prior knowledge required.

After completing the course, the candidates are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

Candidates

• have in-depth knowledge of and insight into different methodological approaches to the study of concepts and ideas and have an overview of the main lines of argument in the methodological debate about the study of ideas and concepts
• are familiar with cutting edge knowledge in central traditions in social policy and social work
• have in-depth knowledge and understanding of key concepts and ideas in the field of social work and social policy

Skills

Candidates are capable of

• reflecting on and communicating the research in the field and its development in a history of ideas context
• contributing to developing important ideas and concepts in the field of social work and social policy
• assessing different methodological tools in order to compare and problematise concepts and ideas in the subject area

General competence

Candidates are capable of

• contributing to developing the debate on fundamental issues in social work and social policy
• identifying innovative theoretical issues of relevance to social work and social policy
• disseminating theoretical research both nationally and internationally

Teaching is organised as a combination of lectures, discussions and presentations by the candidates in which classic texts are discussed and topical research presented. 

The candidates will submit analyzes of syllabus and other texts. Participation is mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching. A minor absence from teaching (up to 20 %) may only be accepted under certain circumstances and upon application. In the event of absences that are not approved, candidates will lose their right to have their essays assessed.  

An essay of between 12 and 15 pages will be delivered within 2 months of the completion of the course. The teacher responsible for the course will assess the essay. A passed essay is a precondition for being awarded the 10 ECTS credits. If the essay is awarded a fail grade, the candidate can submit a revised essay once, by a specified deadline.

All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied. 

Passed- Failed

The essay will be graded by the course lectures.

The target group for the course are candidates from the PhD programme in Social Work and Social Policy, but it will also be open to PhD students on other programs who wish to study the field in depth.

Internal candidates register the course in their Studentweb and send a summary, maximum one page, of their project to the PhD administration.

External candidates apply through the Søknadsweb. The following documentation must be enclosed:

1. Confirmation on admission to a PhD program 2. Summary of your research proposal (approx.one page) and how this PhD course will be relevant for your research project

Maximum number of participants is 15.