BØA119 Academic formation and skills

Contents and structure

"Danning og akademisk håndverk". Direct translation of the Norwegian title is not possible as the English language has no equivalent to "Danning". In very general terms it stands for those qualities that a human must possess in order to be considered a decent and civilized member of society. Hence, the chosen English title is: Decency and academic craftmanship.

This course is an introduction to the foundations of knowledge and ethics underpinning all education at Western Norway University of Applied Science (HVL). It is also the student’s entry point to the professional, social and cultural community at HVL.

The course offers perspective and theories that improve the students’ understanding of

• • contemporary globalisation
  • sustainability
  • our common responsibilities regarding the wellbeing of all human life
  • at present.
  • in the future.

The course

• • stimulates the student to
  • be active and curious
  • take responsibility for their own learning
  • develop abilities to be innovative
  • provides a foundation for handling complex and unexpected challenges
  • will develop the student’s knowledge of the economics and administration proffesion as well as this profession's understanding of and reflections surrounding knowledge and ethics

Academic craftmanship

Scientific research requires both abstract reasoning and the ability to solve and execute practical tasks. By practicing the craft students experience how scientific knowledge is built and improved. Information management and authoring texts comprise parts of this craft and this course provides basic training in such skills as how to

• find, assess and document information and the sources from which it is collected
• expand and deepen knowledge
• write academic texts

Danning (Decency):

• means to be a decent and civilized individual who contributes to the wellbeing of all their fellow members of society
• refers to the personal development that takes place when an individual acquires advanced knowledge in a cultural context characterised by reflection and high ethical standards
• implies understanding the historical and contemporary social context
• implies developing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that assist humans to live meaningful lives for themselves and in relationships with others.
• includes everything that contributes to the existence of a civilized, sustainable and free society.

Sustainability

The sustainability concept refers to a system’s ability to maintain itself over time. Today the world is a global ecological, economical and socio-cultural system that is not sustainable because humans consume and destroy more resources than those that are regenerated. In order to become sustainable our global society needs to solve a large variety of difficult ecological, economical and socio-cultural challenges. The specific challenges are spelled out in the 17 sustainability goals published by the United Nations. Several of these challenges imply working to change the ways humans live and behave, while others are about conservation of assets like biodiversity, wilderness, clean water etc. Sustainability thus involves both an understanding of conservation and a desire to change and develop.

The course is offered in the first semester of the study ant takes place in collaboration with students and academic and administrative staff. It has two parts, one 5 study point (stp) part is common for all first-year students and a specific part (also 2,5 stp) for studente of economics and administration. The two parts make up one integrated whole.

The contents of the course is: Ethics, theory of science, scientific methods, sustainability, academic writing, information competence, referencing and use of sources, cooperation and history of the economics and administration profession.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

Upon completion of the course the candidate has knowledge about

• the main lines of the discussion on sustainable development in the global community in general, and the economic and administrative area in particular.
• scientific methods and research-based knowledge
• the relevance of professional competence within their profession, and is able to discuss the relationship between theory and practice from different perspectives.
• the relationship between their own profession, working life and society in general both the present and the past.
• communication and cooperation in general, with a special focus on communication and cooperation within the company, between companies, and between companies and society in general.

Skills

The candidate is able to reflect on essential problems and questions within science, particularly in relation to the field of economics and administration. This includes the ability to :

• identify and reflect on essential epistemological problems concerning issues and questions such as What knowledge is, strengths and weaknesses of any knowledge claim, the boundaries between science and other forms of knowledge etc.
• identify and reflect on essential ethical questions and dilemmas
• develop their own knowledge of specific topics by finding, assessing and using different kinds of knowledge sources and digital tools
• develop, review and complete academic texts that satisfy common criteria for academic texts

General competence

The candidate is able to:

• plan and executive a variety of tasks that span over a longer period of time, both individually and as part of a group
• communicate their knowledge of essential topics and discussions concerning sustainability
• demonstrate an ability to be critical in relation to their own profession and the sciences in general

Entry requirements

None

Teaching methods

Both ordinary and flipped pedagogy is used. Teaching includes seminars, student activities and lectures. Digital resources are available on Convas.

Students will receive supervision.

Compulsory learning activities

The following mandatory assignments must be approved in order for students to earn the privilege to sit their exam.

1. An individual essay reflecting on the sustainability goals and to one's own profession in the economic and administrative subject area.
2. A course in academic information processing, including the use of digital tools, in order to find, assess and use a variety of sources of data, information and knowledge when constructing knowledge about specific topics.
3. Participation in supervised group work solving tasks related to all above.

Assessment

Assignment (4-5 students), 1 500 words +/- 10%

Assessment: Passed/Failed

Examination support material

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