Children, Youth and Family in Social Work, 15 Credits

Contents

This course deals with the living conditions of children, youth and families in a welfare society. The course aims to give students deeper knowledge of various theoretical perspectives in the field.  Empirical comparisons of these conditions will be used to illustrate living conditions and social work interventions in relation to different forms of vulnerability. The course has a problem-oriented approach and builds on students’ active participation throughout.

The course has three parts. In Part 1, children’s social needs, rights and psychological development are examined. In Part 2, children and family needs, conditions and vulnerabilities are studied. In Part 3, students work individually on a written examination of a topic of their own choice. The course provides an advanced examination of different theoretical perspectives and research-based knowledge in areas relevant to children, youth and family in social work. In each of the course’s three parts, different themes will be examined using theoretical categories such as gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality and age, as well as the comparative tools of time and space.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, students shall be able to demonstrate:
- a deeper knowledge of children’s developmental needs. 
- a deeper understanding of the living conditions of children, youth and families and the structural conditions which impact these.
- an advanced knowledge of social work with children, youth and families.
- an ability to independently decide upon, describe and discuss a research problem concerning a topic specifically connected to social work with children, youth and (or) families.
- an in-depth understanding of ethical dilemmas, attitudes and values in research and practice with children, youth and families.
- an ability to apply theories within the theme of children, youth and family.
- an ability to communicate knowledge on subjects related to children, youth and family.

Required Knowledge

For students in the social work program, the requirement is that you have received a passing grade in examinations, completed and registered program courses, totaling 150 credits (semester 1-3, 90 credits, semester 4-6, 60 credits) In addition, ongoing studies at semester 6 are required.

Form of instruction

This course is based on lectures and seminars. Students are expected to actively participate in all aspects of the course and to work independently on assigned examination tasks.

Examination modes

Part 1: examined thorough students’ active participation in obligatory examination seminars and through two individually written take-home exams. The first take-home exam is assessed with the grades of U or G. The second take-home exam is assessed with the grades of U, G or VG. 

Part 2: examined through students’ active participation in one examination seminar and through one individually written take-home exams. This take-home exam will be assessed with the grades of U, G or VG.

Part 3: is examined through an individually written paper that is presented first at an obligatory working seminar where students will receive guidance in the writing process. Students will actively participate in this working seminar. This working seminar is assessed with the grade U or G. Part 3 is also examined through at an obligatory seminar where each individually written paper is peer-reviewed and students are awarded the grade of U or G on their reviews of each other’s papers. The paper itself will be assessed by the examiner with the grade of U, G or VG.  

To achieve the grade of G, all obligatory elements and examinations must have the grade of G. To achieve a grade of VG in the course, all obligatory elements must be at least G. In addition, the student must have a grade of VG on at least two of the three written examination tasks for which the grade of VG is possible

To achieve the grade of VG, students must demonstrate, in addition to a good knowledge of the subject area, an advanced academic language in written texts, a clear anchoring of ideas in the scientific knowledge base, a critical awareness, and an ethical awareness.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake the examination to attain a higher grade. Students are expected to use proper referencing to sources of knowledge in all written assignments.

Students who do not pass at the ordinary examination times have a right to a retest, within 2 months. A student who does meet the requirements for a passing grade but who is close to the level, can following a decision from the examiner, be given the opportunity to complete their work in order to receive a passing grade.

Completions for the exam will be individually adapted based on the goals which have been achieved by the student and should take place within 2 weeks after the student has been informed of the exam result, but prior to the next examination time.

Completed exams can only reach the grade of G, not VG; completing to receive a higher grade than G is not permitted.

Other regulations

The semesters and courses within the program are studied in the order indicated in the program overview: http://www.socw.umu.se/digitalAssets/195/195674_socionomprogrammet-utbildningsplan.pdf

Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see: www.umu.se/utbildning/antagning/tillgodoraknande