BAR-2000 | UiT

Type of course

The course is only available for students enrolled in the bachelor degree program of sosial work or child welfare at UiT.

Course content

This intensive course is offered by UiT - the Arctic University of Norway (UiT) in collaboration with Murmansk State Humanities University (MSHU). The study program consists of a one week intensive course with participating students and teachers from both UiT and MSHU. The aim of the course is to provide a shared awareness of approaches to social work with children and youth in the Barents region, using comparative perspectives on Norway and Russia.

The course will be divided into four main parts, each of which will be addressed using comparative approaches in a Barents perspective.

Basic concepts of social work with children and youth: Childhood, adolescence and social work. Distinctions in the understanding of these concepts at Russian and Norwegian institutions for social work education.
Social problems for children and adolescents: Comparative perspectives on challenges in modern life in the Barents region.
Professional approaches to social work with children and youth - professional identity and client-professional relations.
Methodical approaches to social work with children and youth. Legislation of modern social work in Russia and Norway

Objectives of the course

Expected learning outcomes upon completion of the course

Knowledge:
Upon completing the course the candidate shall

have knowledge about social problems of children and youth in Russia and Norway.
have knowledge of the basic methods and forms of the social work with children and youth in Russia and Norway
have knowledge of methods and approaches in social work and the legal framework regulating social work with children and youth.

Skills:
Upon completing the course the candidate shall

be able to use the acquired knowledge in discussing relevant cases.
be able to define a social problem in a given social setting.
be able to identify strategies to meet social problems with a point of departure in resources available to the child or adolescent, family or social networks.

General competence:
Upon completing the course the candidate shall

have the ability to analyze a social situation.
be able to understand the impact of the social environment on individual living conditions
be aware of a variety of methodological approaches to work with children and adolescents within a given legal framework and
to be able to choose an appropriate method in a given context.

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

The course activities consist of different learning methods, including lectures, group discussions and student presentations. Lectures on the main topics of the course will be given by teachers from both participating universities with the purpose of providing the students with comparative approaches and material for group discussions.

Assessment

Requirements prior to participating in the course
Prior to the one week intensive course, a preparatory study group will be arranged by the participating teachers from and at the students¿ home institution. Through these study groups, the students are expected to read the syllabus and familiarize themselves with the main topics prior to their participation in the course.

Final assessment
Students will be evaluated according to the learning outcomes stated in this study plan. The final examination will take the form of a group presentation on the final day of the intensive course.

autumn 2014 BAR-2000 Social work with children and youth in the Barents region - comparative perspectives on Russia and Norway - 5 ECTS