PS9400 Ideas and concepts in Social Work and Social Policy Course description

Knowledge

The candidate has in-depth knowledge of

• the development and institutionalization of library and information science as a field of research
• an understanding of the concept of information and the relationship between information and knowledge
• the intellectual foundation for and theoretical perspective of the subject's core areas
• the academic/professional debate of what library and information science's platform consists of

Skills

The candidate is able to

• place his/her dissertation project in a library and information science theory and research tradition
• communicate with researchers in the field and other students across sub- academic areas that the candidates chose to specialize in
• reflectively discuss the relationship between library and information science as an area of research and practice

The subject consists of seminars, lectures and independent studies. The pedagogical approach involves active participation in seminars/lectures, and presentation of own work and providing comments to others' presentations by the candidates on basis of the course literature and lecture content.

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 work and social policy
• 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

The candidates will submit analyzes of syllabus;and other texts. Teaching is organised as a combination of lectures, discussions and presentations by the candidates in which texts are discussed and topical research presented.;

The candidate shall write an essay of approximately 7,500 words and present it in an examination seminar. The essay shall be handed in no later than 2 months after the subject is concluded.

If an essay is considered not passed, the candidate may submit a revised essay once within a specified time.

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

Approved/not approved.

The essay shall be assessed by the course coordinator.

Target group

The candidates for this subject are doctoral students in the PhD programme at Library and Information Science at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, as well as others who wish to be qualified for research in the field, teaching positions at universities and colleges or other types of position which require a high level of academic competence.

Admission requirement for external candidates

This subject can be offered to candidates in addition to the university's own candidate, given enough places. The subject is primarily offered to those students admitted to the PhD programme at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University but will be open to other students who have completed either "hovedfag" or a master's degree (120 credits) within the same academic area.