Intercultural practices (USV101)

International migration and the welfare gap, contributes to new challenges and demands for citizens and social and welfare workers more specifically. A transnational framework captures the cultural diversity in a globalized world. This course emphasizes cultural diversity within welfare systems and intercultural practices within different areas as family relations with multiple societies across borders; global and regional discourses of children and childhoods; civil society services and their collaboration with the public sector and frontline discretion in contextualized inclusion and activation work. The course will emphasize how these different practices are socially, culturally, and historically constructed. The course will aim at strengthen UN Sustainability goals and especially number 5: Gender Equality, 10: Reduced inequalities and 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions.

The lectures are given in English. It is possible to write the home exam in either English or Norwegian.


Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

USV101

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

15

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

This course seeks to improve the students' understanding of intercultural practices and policies in diverse cultures and contexts and reflect upon how to act with respect that creates dignity. The course will focus on the following four main areas: 1) cultural diversity, 2) children and childhood, 3) civil society and nongovernmental services and their collaboration with the public sector and 3) activation in frontline work. The aim of the course is to enable participants to reflect upon intercultural practices in diverse contexts.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the candidate:

Knowledge:

  • has knowledge of intercultural practices
  • has knowledge of different welfare areas
  • has an understanding of cultural diversity and transnationalism
  • has an understanding of the role of civil society in strengthening and innovating intercultural practice and developing collaboration with the public sector
  • has knowledge about different relevant theories

Skills:

  • can describe complexities within cultural diversity
  • can describe differences and similarities across welfare areas
  • can participate in dialogues across transnational contexts
  • can develop communication skills through the international classroom experience

Competences:

  • can participate in dialogue to improve respect for diversity
  • can reflect on personal beliefs, values and knowledge
  • can develop reflections on own learning processes
  • is capable of academic writing

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Homeexam 1/1 1 Weeks Letter grades

Total word count: 3 000 words (+/- 10 %) excluding table of contents, notes, references and bibliography. Reference style: APA 7th.Resit and deferred examinations: Students who do not get a pass mark after resit and deferred examination must re-take the course with the next cohort.

Coursework requirements

Mandatory registered presence
Presence is mandatory (MP) in parts of the course programme (i.e. field visits, seminars and other marked with MP in the lecture plan). Mandatory requirements: 75% presence. If students do not fulfill the MP requirement, students will have to pass an assignment given by the course coordinators in order to take the course exam.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Aleksandar Bozic

Method of work

Lectures, seminars, group work and individual work adapted to different modes of study. All students are expected to read the syllabus and participate in group discussions and thereby develop analytical reflections in a productive environment with fellow students. The students will also have contact with a community based organization.

Open for

Open to incoming exchange students

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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