Foundation Knowledge Main course 1 060HOEM1

Course Objectives

The aim of main course 1 – Foundation Knowledge – is to introduce students to their role as students and encourage them to reflect on what this involves. They will also acquire basic knowledge of the individual and society.

Course Description

Course unit 1: INTRODUCTION

6 ECTS

Course unit 1 aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of their role as students in a professionally oriented education environment in Telemark University College. Students will acquire sufficient skills in the use of modern technology in their academic pursuits, and will gain an elementary understanding of group processes as a learning method. In addition, students will be introduced to historical and contemporary discussions of the social educator’s field of activity, its theoretical foundations and professional ethics.

Content

The course unit discusses the new student-role in a wide sense, including a special focus on the concepts of teaching and learning, a basic understanding of professional development in child welfare, professional roles and ideological and ethical foundations.

Teaching and learning methods

The course unit is organised so as to enable students to familiarise themselves with the inner workings of Telemark University College, the Faculty of Health and Social Studies and the Department of Social Work Studies. They will be introduced to the various student-environment initiatives as well as the organisation of student democracy. A joint introductory programme, buddy programme and various activity plans will ensure that new students will get to know their fellow students as well as their new classmates. In addition, they will be offered instruction in the use of computers if necessary, be introduced to Classfronter as a communication tool, and be familiarised with the use of the library. The introduction also includes lectures, an introduction to group work, self-study, and meetings with social educators from the practical experience field and individual written assignments.

Assessment: Course unit 1 includes two assignments for the documentation portfolio:

Course unit code: 060HEMN1 DO1

Documentation assignment

A reflective note which will encourage students to become more aware of their motivation for studying to become professional social educators, their learning expectations, what they expect of themselves and the academic environment and the type of employment they hope to pursue in the future. Individual responses. 700 words.

Course unit code: 060HEMN1 DO2

Documentation assignment

An assignment which considers the concepts of teaching and learning as a starting point for students’ reflections regarding identifiable factors that promote learning. Individual responses. (1500 words)

COURSE UNIT 2: Development and Childhood

13 ECTS

Course unit 2 aims to provide students with knowledge of the normal development of children and adolescents, to familiarise them with the various investigative methods available, and to provide them with basic skills in observation. The course unit will also cover discussions of various types of disability. Students will learn basic pedagogic theory, be able to recognise the different schools of thought within pedagogy, and become familiar with the meanings of the concepts of teaching, training, and socialisation.

Content

The course unit discusses basic evolutionary psychology, perception and motor functions, cognitive development, language and communication, emotions, social relations, association, areas of activity, gender and youth, and information acquisition/methods of study/observation. In addition, it discusses various types of disability, with emphasis on the relevant diagnoses considered in a relational perspective; learning theories; humanistic and dialectic pedagogy; socialisation; and didactics.

Teaching and learning methods

This course unit is in part organised together with BA Child Welfare Work Studies. Learning methods include individual study, lectures, observing children, group work, individual written assignments, group reports, and presentation of ideas in class discussion.

Assessment: Course unit 2 requires three assignments in an assessment portfolio and one assignment in a documentation portfolio.

Course unit code: 060HEMN1 2-1

Assessment assignment 2-1: Various types of disability. An assignment which describes the various types of disability. In addition, the assessment portfolio 2.1 has requirements regarding the group as a subject-pedagogical tool. Individual paper. 1500 words. Pass/fail.

Course unit code: 060HEMN1 DO3

Documentation-assignment. Each student must document a minimum of 75% participation in group work in relation to assessment assignment 2.1.

Course unit code: 060HEMN1 2-2

Assessment-assignment 2-2: Observation report.

This assignment should include an observation of motor functions, and of one other area of development of the student’s choice. Individual paper. 1200 words. Pass/fail.

Course unit code: 060HEMN1 2-3

Assessment assignment 2-3: Psychological evolution. Students choose an assignment from a set of given topics. Individual paper. This paper is given a lettered grade which constitutes 50% of the final grade in the Main Course 1.

Course unit 3: SOCIAL FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS

8 ECTS

The aim of course unit 3 is to provide students with a basic understanding of how public administration organises and delegates responsibilities on national, regional and local levels, and to provide an insight into legal methods, administrative law and relevant knowledge of special laws. Another goal is that students should acquire an interest in health and socio-political issues in the context of the development of the Norwegian welfare state and the global framework conditions. The students will become familiar with the development of poverty on a national basis and learn about social differences. The course unit will help students to understand the importance of professionals who reflect on their activities, and participate actively in discussions concerning the living conditions and quality of life of the disabled and other groups at risk.

The content of this course unit includes topics chosen from national and local government, legal topics, sociology and health and social policy. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the relationships between the three above-mentioned topics, including the significance of the relationship between the profession/management and public administration policies.

Teaching and learning methods: the course unit is, to a large degree, organised together with the BA Child Welfare Work Studies. In addition to self-study, there will also be lectures, supervised-study lectures, group work and presentations in plenary. The study lectures will provide an understanding of social framework conditions with particular relevance to the child welfare worker’s and social educator’s professional practice.

Assessment: Course unit 3 contributes one assignment to the assessment portfolio.

Course unit code: 060HEMN1 3-1

Assessment-assignment 3-1: Basic knowledge of public administration practices

This assignment takes the form of questions from the subject fields of national and local government, legal topics and health and social policy. In the assessment, emphasis will be placed on the degree of detailed knowledge within the above field, and on students’ familiarity with the basic principles of public administration.

Individual responses within a time-frame of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., without invigilation. All examination aids are permitted. The letter grades received will make up 50% of the course grade for Main Course I.

Pensum