Welfare policy (BSO103)
Course description for study year 2024-2025
Course code
BSO103
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
15
Semester tution start
Spring
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Spring
Language of instruction
Norwegian
Content
The course consists of four topics:
- Welfare policy objectives and instruments
- Politics and public welfare administration
- Professional practice in welfare administration
- Insight into research-based knowledge
Social workers play an important role in public welfare administration work that focuses on social problems. Social workers must therefore have knowledge about welfare policy objectives and instruments, about the organisation of welfare administration, and about political and administrative decision-making processes. They must also master different work methods related to public administration.
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:
Welfare policy objectives and instruments
- Has knowledge about how social problems arise and develop in a societal context.
- Has broad knowledge about welfare policy objectives and instruments, different welfare models and the importance of welfare policy for social work practice.
Politics and public welfare administration
- Has insight into power structures and the exercise of power in society.
- Has knowledge about the division of responsibilities and labour in welfare administration, interprofessional collaboration and the interaction that takes place between the public, private and voluntary sectors.
- Has insight into political and administrative decision-making processes and how social workers can contribute to general information and political advice.
Professional practice in welfare administration
- Can master relevant mapping, documentation, analysis and decision-making methods.
- Can reflect on and apply knowledge that contributes to an equal provision of services.
- Can reflect on and apply knowledge that contributes to an equal provision of services for Sámi users.
- Can reflect on how knowledge can be applied in new areas and contribute to innovative thinking and innovation in the services.
- Has insight into and can reflect critically on their professional role in relation to institutional and political requirements in the provision of services.
Insight into 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.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skoleeksamen | 1/1 | 6 Hours | Letter grades | None permitted |
Students who fail the re-sit or re-scheduled course examination must take the next ordinary examination together with the subsequent year group. The compulsory activities that have already been approved do not have to be retaken. Students must take the examination in accordance with any new and revised course description, but decide themselves whether to follow teaching in the new examination semester.
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.
Group seminar: Academic presentation for the lecturer and fellow students in a seminar session.
Group assignment: Written submission of group assignment. The course content and scope are determined by the course coordinator.
