Course content

The students are introduced to the topic community social work and networking as key work methods in social work. The course builds upon social work's basic understanding that social problems must be understood contextually, and analyzed in the interaction of the individual with key systems. Social inclusion and participation are highlighted as a social responsibility, and as a central value in social work.

Community work as a method is about intervening at the structural level to create new opportunities for participation, affiliation and social fellowship. Community work assumes that there is a mutual dependency between individual and structure, and is based on an understanding of structures as something that influences the scope of action.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The student:

• can explain key theories and perspectives that underpin network and community social work
• can point to relationships between social inclusion and living conditions
• can analyze relationships between different conditions that prevent or promote social participation
• know about key methods within networking and community social work

Skills: The student:

• can apply professional knowledge and relevant studies in the analysis of social problems
• can discover new opportunities for social inclusion under different structural conditions
• can perform a network mapping
• can reflect critically on the choice of own method

General competence: The student:

• can describe theories and perspectives in networking and community social work
• can explain how one can facilitate increased social participation
• has insight into ethical issues related to networking and community social work

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, seminars, self-studies, exercises and work requirements

Compulsory assignments

• Mandatory presentation

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

The course builds on the courses in the first year of study and the courses in the autumn semester in the second year of study.

Required previous knowledge

Students must have passed 60 credits of courses in the 1st and 15 credits in the 2nd year of study in order to take the exam in this course.

The course has study rights requirements. This means that the course is reserved for students admitted to the programme Bachelor in Social Work at NTNU.

Course materials

Will be published on Blackboard at the start of the course.