Contextual social work (BSO201)

Content

The course consists of three topics:

1. Contextual understanding in social work involving individuals, families, and groups
2. Social change work at different levels
3. Applying research-based knowledge

Contextual understanding in social work involving individuals, families and groups is where the social worker, in collaboration with the people they are to help, seeks to understand conditions that are important for their life situation, where social challenges are understood in terms of the social contexts in which they arise. Contextual understanding plays a crucial role in gaining the most comprehensive overview of people’s situation based on their own experience of their situation. This also involves an understanding based on the fact that there are different ways of being a family and living one’s life, and that individual families and individuals are experts on themselves and their own lives. The course focuses on different theories and perspectives of people in contact with the welfare system and knowledge about social capital and challenges marginalised people and families face, and how to apply the knowledge in a way that is based on openness, mutual respect and recognition.

Social change work at different levels builds on the first topic of the course, where context is also central to the change work, and where contextual knowledge is based on resources that exist around those to be helped and opportunities that exist in family networks and local communities. Through collaboration and balanced dialogue, social change work can contribute to both flexible and robust solutions.

Learning outcome

After successfully completing and passing the course, students will have achieved the following learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Contextual understanding in social work involving individuals, families, and groups

• Has knowledge about human rights and key conventions, minorities and the rights and special status of the Sámi people as an indigenous people.
• Has knowledge about relevant legal methods and central legislation in welfare administration, including administrative law and legislation in child and family law.
• Has knowledge about coping and development conditions in children, young people, adults and the elderly.
• Can apply academic knowledge about social problems, transitions and life crises in order to promote coping and change in collaboration with individuals, families, groups and partners.
• Has knowledge about communication, relationships, interaction and supervision/guidance.
• Has knowledge about how health, social and socioeconomic challenges have consequences for individuals and their relatives, and especially about children as relatives/next of kin.
• Has knowledge about how social class, exclusion, marginalisation and discrimination affect public health and living conditions.
• Has insight into ethical issues and can manage ethical dilemmas in the professional role and in encounters with people.
• Has knowledge about Sámi children’s right as an indigenous people to grow up with Sámi language and culture.

Social change work at different levels in encounters with children and families

• Can apply knowledge about relationships and communication in supervision/guidance, motivation and systematic change work, and can guide users, patients, relatives and relevant personnel who are in learning, coping and change processes.
• Can apply academic knowledge in order to identify resources and provide hope in collaboration with people in vulnerable life situations.
• Can apply academic knowledge and methods in order to interact and collaborate with children and young people regarding everyday life and difficult topics in a way that safeguards their interests, participation and rights.
• Can apply academic knowledge about relationships and communication in supervision/guidance, motivation and systematic change work, and can guide users, patients, relatives and relevant personnel who are in learning, coping and change processes.

Applying research-based knowledge

• Has knowledge about social science methodology and its possibilities and limitations.
• Can assess scientific knowledge and political framework conditions in a practical context.
• Can apply research-based, experience-based and user-based knowledge in professional practice.
• Can assess scientific knowledge and political framework conditions in a practical context.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Recommended prerequisites

Exam

Coursework requirements

Both compulsory activities must be approved in order for the student to take the examination. Approval/non-approval of compulsory activities is announced on Studentweb, normally no later than 7 days before the examination. Students who lack approval of one or more compulsory activities will be withdrawn from the examination.

Written assignment: Individual written assignment. Scope: 1500 words (+/- 10%) including table of contents and notes; excluding source referencing and bibliography. Referencing style: APA 7th.

Attendance requirements: 75% attendance is required for the teaching in skills training groups and seminars. Students who have less than 75% attendance in the compulsory teaching activities lose the right to take the examination, regardless of the reason.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Course coordinator:

Study Program Director:

Method of work

Lectures, skills training groups* in social work and seminars*

(*compulsory attendance)

Literature