Course Objectives
The aim of main course II is to ensure that students gain practical experience in methodological work and are able to develop their ability to integrate practical experience, theoretical knowledge and reflection in their professional work. In addition, the main course should provide students with an understanding of the concept of care skills and the consequences for practical professional performance. Students will gain an understanding of the characteristics of high-risk children and youth, their families and social networks; and develop an understanding of the relationship between individual and group premises and methodological initiatives.
Course Description
Course unit 6: METHODOLOGICAL CHILD WELFARE WORK AND PRACTICE STUDIES
30 ECTS
The aim of course unit 6 is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the relationships between theory, research and practice studies. Professional child-care competence is anchored in practical cooperation, and the profession evolves at the intersection between traditional practical and theoretical interpretations. The students’ practical studies will contribute to challenging the students to embark on professional, personal and ethical reflections and to re-evaluate their own knowledge, attitudes and skills. Professional child-care expertise is improved through a continuous process, in which the ability to integrate practical experience, theoretical knowledge and reflection in professional practice are significant elements. Particular emphasis is placed on working with ethical problem approaches and difficulties in the practical exercise of methodologically sound child welfare practice.
The content in the course unit deals with practical studies in various arenas, in which students are encouraged to practise professional child-care in preparation for their future employment. Such practical studies will improve students’ competence, attitudes and insight by providing them with opportunities for direct interaction with children and adolescents, their families and social networks, and through reflection on ethical issues and professional practices.
Teaching and learning methods: The course unit covers the topics of preparatory seminars for the period of the practice placement, practical studies within the field of professional child welfare and a practice placement seminar for summarising experiences. In the preparative and cumulative seminars associated with the practice period, group projects, role-play, discussions, reflective work and lectures will predominate. During the practical studies, the practice arena and its challenges will constitute the most important learning factor for students, supplemented by dialogue, discussions and supervision at the practice placement and the use of supervision in reflection-groups organised by the university-college and coordinated by the school’s contact teachers.
Assessment: Course unit 6 supplies three elements in the assessment portfolio and two assignments in the documentation portfolio:
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 6-1
Assessment assignment 6-1: Information Brochure
A response which, in content, is related to drafting an information brochure on one’s practice placement. Individual answer. 1000 words. Pass/fail.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 6-2
Assessment assignment 6-2: Approval of practice period
This assessment portfolio requires that students meet the relevant standards in explaining the concept ‘approval of practice period’. Individual responses. Pass/fail.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 DO1
Documentation assignment: The individual student must document a minimum of 75% participation in the seminars, both before and after the practical training.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 6-3
Assessment assignment 6-3: Ethical dilemma
This response is based on the students’ ethical dilemmas from the practical training period, which will form a foundation for group work and result in an individual report. 1500 words. Pass/fail.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 DO2
Documentation assignment: Students will submit a written ethical problem approach drawn from the practical study period. The content in this documentation portfolio will form a basis for assessment-assignment 6-3.
Course code: 070PRA1 SYSTEMATIC CHILD CARE AND PRACTICAL STUDIES
The objective for the practical studies is for students to gain experience with professional child care work with children and youth, be challenged to professional, personal and ethical reflection and to reassess their own understanding, attitudes and skills. The practical studies part of course unit 6 will contribute to the development of the students’ skills in various areas, and serve as preparation for their future employment, responsibilities and tasks.
Course unit 7: ASSESSMENT OF ABILITY TO NURTURE
14 ECTS
Course unit 7 aims to enable students to acquire a basic understanding of how individual relationships contribute to improving the living conditions of children and adolescents lacking adequate care. In addition, students will develop an appreciation for and an ability to evaluate the capacity to nurture, as well as understand the importance of belonging and the causes of broken relationships between parents and children. The course unit also aims to provide the students with an understanding of how initiatives may be taken, and familiarity with the most relevant legislation which regulate such initiatives.
The content in the course unit is related to theories and research on sexual abuse, drugs/alcohol related intoxication and includes knowledge of the child’s vulnerability when parental functions are characterised by domestic violence, psychologically stressed parents and retardation. In addition, the course unit includes sections on procedures, legal interpretations and the implementation of initiatives with particular emphasis on improving understanding of the legal requirements and framework conditions for methodologically sound child-welfare work associated with the ability to nurture children. Emphasis is also placed on work with ethical problem approaches and dilemmas in the practical exercise of methodologically sound child-welfare work.
Teaching and learning methods: The course unit employs self-tuition, lectures and work in groups associated with specific initiative efforts.
Assessment: The course unit includes one assignment for the assessment portfolio, and two assignments for the documentation portfolio.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 7-1
Assessment assignment 7-1: Assessment of ability to nurture
An answer which in professional terms will emphasise the assessment of the ability to nurture. Group response. 4000 words. The letter grades received, will account for 50% of the course grade for main course II.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 DO3
Documentation assignment: The individual student must document an attendance rate of at least 75% at the group work associated with assessment assignment 7-1.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 DO4
Documentation assignment:Video recording of proficiency exercises from two different situations involving communication. Duration of maximum 2 x 3 minutes. Group answers. In addition, a short, individual reflective note which describes and justifies the choice of proficiency exercises.
COURSE UNIT 8: THE METHODICAL CARE OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
16 ECTS
Objectives
Course unit 8 aims to provide students with a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of deviation, viewed as a developmental disturbance, a social construction and a cultural classification; and resilience; that is, why some children at risk manage better than others. Students will learn about methodical work related to high-risk children, at risk adolescents and their networks from the viewpoint of mastering skills. The course unit will help to develop the students’ understanding of the relationship between individual/group situation and the choice of methodical approaches, combined with multicultural understanding in working with groups at risk. Emphasis is placed on the use of activities and cultural initiatives in cooperation with others as part of the methodical work. Further, stress is placed on practical communication exercises to demonstrate various skills within communication theory in meetings with children and youth. The course unit will throw light on the many possibilities which methodical work with children and adolescents at risk provides, and show how child welfare workers may collaborate with other players in this work.
The content of the course unit is composed of theories and research on how deviation is constructed, children and adolescents in grief and crisis, developmental disturbances, motivation, mastering skills, socialisation and teamwork. In addition, the course unit contains more detailed information on various methodical approaches associated with the individual, family/group and society. The use of activities and cultural initiatives in relation to the students’ functional and interactive skills is of fundamental importance.
Teaching and learning methods: The course unit emphasises the use of various learning and teaching methods that will enable students to understand both deviation and resilience, and to enable them to work methodically in cooperation with others. The learning methods include self-study, lectures, activities and cultural initiatives, group work, training in practical skills and fieldwork.
Assessment: The course unit requires one assignment in the assessment portfolio and two assignments in the documentation portfolio:
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 8-1
Assessment assignment 8-1: The methodical care of vulnerable children and youth and an oral examination.
The response should contain a professionally grounded initiative built on knowledge and understanding of the relationship between individual/group situation and choice of methodical approach. Individual answers (3000 words). Letter grade which counts for 50% of the course grade for Main course II.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 DO5
An individual oral examination in basic knowledge from Main Course II and the students’ understanding of their own subject. Assessment portfolio 8.1 must have received a passing grade before the student may take the oral examination. The final grade is assigned after the oral examination. The oral examination is primarily intended as an adjustment to the grade from the assessment portfolio, but it is also possible to assign the candidate a failing grade if the oral examination so indicates.
Course unit code: 070HEMN2 DO6
Documentation assignment: Video recordings of proficiency exercises from two different situations in communication. Length of maximum 2 x 3 minutes. Group response. In addition, a brief, individual reflection note which describes and justifies the choice of proficiency exercises.