070HEMN1 Childhood, Development and Knowledge Foundation

Course Objectives

In this Main Course I students should become aware of their role as students, acquire relevant academic skills, learn to cooperate in groups and become familiar with the professional practices in the field of child welfare. Students will gain an understanding of the normal development of children and adolescents; they will understand different forms of disability based on the Evolutionary Ecology Model, i.e. within the context of the child’s upbringing environment. This will be related to the ability to observe, identify and analyse possible indicators of risk behaviour and/or disability.

Further, students should acquire a basic understanding of the social framework conditions that children and adolescents, families and guardians and the social network find themselves in, and will consider these conditions in relation to relevant health and socio-political issues. The main course aims to make the students more familiar with social-pedagogical work in relation to individuals, groups and society, and to develop their understanding of the methodological use of activities in this work. Also, the course will provide students with fundamental knowledge about practical child welfare in local, regional and national public services.

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 child welfare worker’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 child welfare workers from the practical experience field and individual written assignments.

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

Course unit code: 070HEMN1 DO1

Documentation assignment: A reflective commentary which will encourage students to become more consciously aware of their motivation for studying to become professional child welfare workers, 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: 070HEMN1 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, including a conception of disability considered in an ecological perspective. 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 developmental psychology, perception and motor skills, cognitive development, language and communication, emotions, social relations, association, areas of activity, gender and adolescents, 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: The course unit is in part organised together with the BA in Social Education Studies. Learning methods include individual study, lectures, observing children, group work, individual written assignments, group reports, and presentation in the plenary.

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

Course unit code 070HEMN1 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 includes requirements regarding the group as a subject-pedagogical tool. Individual paper. 1500 words. Pass/fail.

Course unit code 070HEMN1 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 070HEMN1 2-2

Assessment-assignment 2-2: Observation report. This assignment includes an observation of motor skills, and of one other area of development of the student’s choice. Individual paper. 1200 words. Pass/fail.

Course unit code 070HEMN1 2-3

Assessment assignment 2-3: Psychological evolution. Students select an assignment from a set of given topics in the field of psychological evolution. Individual paper 2000 words. This paper is given a letter grade which constitutes 25% of the final grade for 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. It will also provide them with 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 aims at helping 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 children, youth and other vulnerable groups.

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 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 in Social Education Studies. In addition to self-study, there will also be lectures, supervised-study lectures, work in groups and presentations in plenary. The 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: 070HEMN1 3-1

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

This assignment takes the form of questions from the professional 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 25% of the course grade for Main Course I.

COURSE UNIT 4: Social-educational Work and Use of Activities

20 ECTS

The aim of course unit 4 is to provide students with knowledge and awareness of the social framework conditions of social-educational work, and the consequences this has for understanding the health and social worker’s role and activity in relation to the social, group and individual levels, as considered in both international and multi-cultural contexts. A social-analytical perspective is central to the study. Furthermore, the course unit provides students with fundamental knowledge regarding social pedagogical and environmental therapeutic work, and experience with using activities when working with children and youth, their families and social network. The student will be made aware of relevant legislation and gain knowledge of international conventions concerning the protection of children’s rights and more general legal protections.

Furthermore, students will develop knowledge and understanding of such concepts as socialisation, recognition, attachment, care, upbringing, normality and deviance, and will learn to plan, carry out and evaluate activities with children and adolescents. There will be a specific focus on the development of skills in relation to the use of cultural activities and measures that have been developed within the subject field.

Content: includes theory and empirical findings regarding relevant sociological approaches, social-pedagogical working-models, social work, various socialisation arenas for children and adolescents, mapping networks, activities, relevant legislation, dialogue with children and adolescents, children and youth culture, play, observation and reporting.

Teaching and learning methods: the course unit makes use of group work, skills training, fieldwork and lectures. Skills training will be related to activities and dialogue with children and youths, assignments in systematic social-educational work, reporting, and presentations. Supervision will also be given in groups.

Assessment: Course unit 4 has one assignment in the assessment portfolio and 3 assignments in the documentation portfolio.

Course unit code: 070HEMN1 4-1

Assessment-assignment 4-1: Social educational work

This is a group assignment that will be based on an activity with a group of 6-year-olds. The activity is to follow the principles of methodological social-educational work. The result will be presented in the plenary. Finally the assignment is to presented in a written report developed by the group.

4500 words. Letter grade which constitutes 25% of the final grade for Main course 1.

Course unit code: 070HEMN1 DO4

Documentation assignment:The individual student must document a minimum of 75% attendance for the group work.

Course unit code: 070HEMN1 DO5

Documentation assignment: The student must document a minimum of 75% attendance at the lectures covering training in skills concerning the use of culture and activities relevant to the subject.

Course unit code: 070HEMN1 DO6

Documentation assignment:An individual reflective commentary on one’s own contribution and skills in the group’s work throughout the execution of the activities plan based on methodological social-educational work. The reflective commentary will be based on the individual student’s Logbook. 1000 words.

COURSE UNIT 5: PRACTICAL CHILD WELFARE IN LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES.

13 ECTS

The aim of course unit 5 is for the students to acquire basic knowledge of the areas of responsibility assigned to the child welfare administration, its organisation and practices. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding vulnerable children, youth and their families. Emphasis is also placed on the ethical dilemmas which develop in practical child welfare work, including the relationship between control and help in the field. Students will gain an understanding of the social conditions that contribute to social differences, and of problems which have significance for practical welfare work.

The content of the course unit focuses on practical child welfare work with respect to the Norwegian Child Welfare Act. In this context, the course unit considers interpretation of legislation as well as administrative procedures and initiatives, particularly those of the municipal child welfare services. Further, preventative initiatives and assistance aimed at high-risk children and youths, their families and their social networks are also discussed.

Teaching and learning methods: the course unit includes lectures, group work, supervision and practical exercises in which the students will receive training in working with the Child Welfare Act and the challenges that this involves.

Assessment: Course unit 5 contributes two assignments to the assessment portfolio, and one assignment to the documentation portfolio:

Course unit code: 070HEMN1 5-1

Assessment-assignment 5-1: Practical child welfare work

The assessment portfolio should contain a written answer related to an example (‘case’) from practical child welfare work. Group answer. 3000 words. Letter grade which constitutes 25% of the grade for Main Course 1.

Course unit code: 070HEMN1 5-2

Assessment-assignment 5-2: The Norwegian Child Welfare Act

Individual examination within a time-frame of 3 hours with invigilation. Permitted examination aid is the text of The Child Welfare Act. Pass/Fail.

Course unit code: 070HEMN1 DO7

Documentation-assignment: The individual student must document a minimum of 75% attendance at the group work that forms the basis of assessment for assessment-assignment 5-1.

Assessment

Pensum