VPL305 Perspective on global Citizenship, Critical reflection and Project work in the south (Tanzania)

Contents and structure

Through ongoing processes of globalisation and migration, our societies are becoming more and more hybrid and intercultural.

Students doing this course will be participant in our NOREC (Norwegian agency for exchange cooperation) project. As participant in the project the student conducts the course in Tanzania (Dar Es Salaam and/or Arusha). Overall aim of the project is to improve the life quality of children with learning disabilities by implementing UN Human Rights, The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Convention (CRC) on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in practice.

Students will be introduced to basic thoughts and practices regarding intercultural communication. This knowledge will be linked to different contexts, especially education and children with developmental disorders. Culture differences will be identified in real-life interaction while students are on exchange in Tanzania.

Through project work, interprofessional and interagency collaboration, the student is challenged to understand own role, and promote values in relation to both individual relationships and at the organizational level. Further, students are faced to contribute to the services promoting self-determination and user participation at individual, group and community level nationally and globally.

The course sheds light on how the welfare society through its institutions and organizations and the interaction between them, affects the living conditions of marginalized groups in various arenas such as housing, school, work and leisure. this course is perspective on global citizenship, ethics in a world, diversity and intercultural communication and cultural awareness are.

Drawing from different exercises and assignments throughout the course students will focus on enhancing own cultural awareness and applying the theories to personal experiences with linguistic diversity and cultural otherness.

Furthermore, the course focuses on how different service offerings are created through social processes where users, relatives and professionals both create and influence the different frameworks. With a focus on welfare and public health, the student will acquire values, knowledge, insight and skills on how cultural diversity entails an ethical challenge for every professional.

Key topics in the course are project work, research methods, knowledge-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, living conditions, communication, communication with children, public health work, mental health and substance abuse.

Learning Outcome

A candidate who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defind in knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge: Candidate…

• Has broad knowledge about ethical theories on social educational work
• Has broad knowledge about communication, interaction and collaboration, and has knowledge of how language is an intercultural component in communication
• Has broad knowledge on public health work, disease prevention and health promotion at individual, group and societal level
• Is familiar to user-driven innovation
• Has knowledge on interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration
• Has knowledge about how neglect, violence, abuse, bullying, drug and socio-economic problems affect health, living conditions and quality of life nationally and globally
• has knowledge of research methods, principles and concepts for assessing scientific quality

Has knowledge about children and young people and is a practitioner who takes care of their needs for treatment and or services and can ensure their participation and rights across contexts and different cultures

Skills: Candidate…

• Can apply academic knowledge to contribute to good public health through health promotion and disease prevention in a lifespan perspective
• Can apply academic knowledge to promote inclusion, equality and participation in all parts of society and in a lifespan perspective
• Can apply academic knowledge, relevant results from research and developmental work and scientific methods as a basis for enlightening practical and theoretical issues and informed decision making
• Masters conversations with children on topics such as neglect, violence and abuse

General compentence: Candidate…

• has insight into relevant professional and ethical issues in professional practice
• has insight to the connection between health, education and living conditions, and can conduct this into services given to individuals and groups in society, to contribute to good public health nationally and globally
• has insight to research and development work within the subject area and methods for systematic acquisition of user experience and knowledge
• can exchange views on opportunities and challenges in the use of digital solutions at individual and system level, has knowledge of digital security

Entry requirements

Passed second year of study (VPL200, VPL210, VPL220 and VPLP200).

Teaching methods

This course emphasizes a combination of field work, student-active forms of learning and interdisciplinary approaches in teaching. It will combine different forms of teaching and educational tools including lectures, student - led lectures and seminars. Further, interdisiplinary international project work in groups and use of different digital learning platforms will be emphasized

Compulsory learning activities

The following compulsory work requirement must be approved for students to take the exam:

1. Prepare and conduct a one-hour lecture (in group) on a relevant topic based on field work based on pre described assessment criteria for fellow student at home

2. Prepare and lead an intercultural group. Focus for discussion should be relevant UN Human Rights

Approved work requirements are valid for 3 semesters.

Assessment

The exam is in two parts. Both count 50%, in order to pass the exam both parts must be passed.

Home exam.

The exam questions will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Exam language: English

Part 1 Project report until 6000 words. Project report is group work.

Part 2 Individual reflection document based on own experiences in implementing NORECs overall aim of the project to improve the life quality of children with learning disabilities. Until 1000 words.

Time and place for exam is found on Studentweb.

Grading system

A-E is pass. F is not passed.

New exam

If the student fail the exam, the new home exam will be conducted in the same way as the regular exam

Examination support material

All.

More about examination support material