BCA112 Bildung and academic craft

Contents and structure

Bildung through education contributes to the wise use of knowledge. The course Bildung and Academic Craft is an introductory course and is the student's first encounter with Western Norway University of Applied Sciences' professional and social community. The vocational and working life-oriented college is based on interaction, sustainability and innovation.

The course promotes perspectives and theories that increase the understanding of globalization in the present day and provides a basis for mastering complex, unforeseen challenges. The introductory course draws attention to sustainability and our shared global responsibility both for those living today and those who come after us. The subject helps to stimulate the student to be active and curious, to take responsibility for their own learning and to develop the ability to innovate.

The course aims to develop the students' knowledge of various professions and subjects, their understanding of and reflection on knowledge, ethics and art. This is seen in relation to education and sustainability. The subject assumes that scientific work, among other things, is an academic craft.

Information skills and writing texts form parts of this craft, and the course provides basic training. By using academic working methods, one becomes familiar with and takes part in the construction of knowledge. The craft enabled one to be able to assess and document sources of information, and to expand and deepen knowledge. The craft enables one to write academic texts. The course aims to develop the students' knowledge of various professions and subjects, their understanding of and reflection on knowledge and ethics. This is seen in relation to education and sustainability. The course assumes that scientific work, among other things, is an academic craft.

Bildung makes it possible to cope with the historical situation. Knowledge, attitudes and behavior help people to live in a meaningful way in and with the world. Bildung is what allowed the civilized, sustainable and free society to exist.

Education is man's dissemination and acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities. In this way, the individual is able to participate in processes. Education builds people and society.

The subject is based on the UN's sustainability goals. The framework includes a conservation perspective, but also a desire for innovation and development. Sustainability is based on three equal pillars: ecological sustainability, economic sustainability (this includes equality) and socio-cultural sustainability (including global social justice).

The course takes place in the first semester of the bachelor and takes place in interaction with students, academic and administrative staff.

The content of the subject is: ethics, theory of science, scientific methods, sustainability, academic writing, information skills, use of resources, communication, collaboration, professional history and art as human expression and cultural and material phenomena

Learning Outcome

Upon completion of the course, the student must have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of scientific working methods and research-based knowledge
• has knowledge of the relevance of professional competence and the professionals' perspective on the relationship between theory and practice
• has knowledge of the relationship between professional competence, working life and society in the present and in the past
• knows the main lines in the discussion about responsibility for sustainable development in global society
• has knowledge of communication and collaboration
• has knowledge of the arts as human expression and cultural and material phenomena

Skills

The student

• can find, evaluate and use various knowledge sources and digital tools in own knowledge building
• can write a text that thematizes sustainability and that satisfies basic academic requirements
• can discuss central issues in the theory of science and ethics

General competence

The student

• can develop, revise and finalize a professional text that satisfies the academic requirements
• can identify and clarify ethical choices and dilemmas in working life
• can enter into discussions about sustainability and be critical and reflective of one's own subject area and of science in general

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

The teaching and learning forms will vary between resource lectures and activities that promote reflection. Student-active forms of learning and a reversed classroom pedagogy with digital resources are used in the subject in Canvas. The group work with guidance is used as a continuous activity.

Compulsory learning activities

The following compulsory learning activities must be approved for the student to be able to sit for the final assessment:

• Digital course in information skills
• Participation in group work with guidance
• Active contribution to the development and sharing of a digital presentation to the group

The compulsory learning activities are linked to the learning outcomes, which deal with the student being able to find, assess and use different sources of knowledge, be able to develop, revise and complete a professional text that satisfies the academic requirements, as well as be reflective of their own subject area and of science in general.

Assessment

Written group assignment, 1500 words +/- 10%.

Grading scale: Passed/not passed.

If the exam is not passed, the students must submit a new written group assignment.

Examination support material

All examination aids available.

More about examination support material