EPN-V2

SFV4300 The Intersection of Social Categories in Social Work Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Sosiale kategoriers samspill i sosialt arbeid
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2020/2021
Course history
Curriculum
FALL 2020
Schedule
Programme description

  • 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.

  • Required preliminary courses

    None.

  • Learning outcomes

    After completing the course, the candidate is expected to have achieved the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

    Knowledge

    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​

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

  • Teaching and learning methods

    Teaching will take the form of lectures and class discussions.

  • Course requirements

    None.

  • Assessment

    Eksamen i emnet er en individuell hjemmeeksamen over 7 dager med oppgitt tema. Besvarelsen skal ha et omfang på 10 sider (+ / - 10%)

  • Permitted exam materials and equipment

    Alle hjelpemidler er tillatt så lenge regler for kildehenvisning følges.

  • Grading scale

    The bachelor assignment shall be a development project in a field that is related to prosthetics and orthotics. The assignment can be written individually or in groups of two students. If the assignment is written in groups, it usually means that two students at the Bachelor's Programme in Prosthetics and Orthotics write an assignment together, but it is also possible for students to write their bachelor assignment together with a student from the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, or from another programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to become affiliated to a research environment at the university or at an external institution. The programme will assist in identifying relevant research environments.

    The table below shows the subjects covered by the module, with credits specified:

    • Prosthetic and orthotic practice (9 credits)
    • Theory og sciences and research methods (5 credits)
    • Ethics (1 credits)
    • Total credits: 15

  • Examiners

    The student must have passed the second year of the programme.

  • Course contact person

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

    Knowledge

    The student

    • has in-depth knowledge of the focus area of the bachelor's thesis

    Skills

    The student is capable of

    • preparing a research question and project outline
    • choosing, giving grounds for and using a relevant scientific method
    • obtaining and discussing relevant research articles and other specialist literature
    • discussing, assessing and reflecting on the research question and choice of methods in relation to findings and results

    General competence

    The student is capable of

    • planning and carrying out varied tasks and projects that take place over time and contribute to theoretical and/or practical development
    • critically reflecting on research ethics issues and guidelines relating to project work
    • disseminating, discussing and presenting the results of his/her own project in writing