Course content

The course provides an overview of various historical, ideological, and theoretical perspectives and models of disability. The focus is on perspectives relevant to both welfare policy and everyday life. General theories of deviance, normality, and social and welfare policy issues are also presented.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have:

• Advanced knowledge of disability as a socially constructed phenomenon
• In-depth knowledge of selected historical perspectives and models for understanding disability, both in the Norwegian and international contexts
• In-depth knowledge of various understandings of disability and how these influence the organisation of society and societal attitudes

Skills:

The student will be able to:

• Identify and recognise different perspectives and understandings of disability
• Analyse how various understandings of disability influence the organisation of society, practices, and societal attitudes

General competence:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Apply different theories, models, and understandings of disability, and critically analyse their implications for welfare policy and everyday life for persons with disabilities.

Learning methods and activities

Teaching methods are lectures, student active learning and compulsory activities.

Compulsory assignments

• Work requriement

Recommended previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Child Welfare Care, Social Education, Health Science or bachelor degree in other relevant social science subjects

Required previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree

Course materials

The syllabus comprises 700-800 pages of Norwegian and English scientific literature. The syllabus list is published on NTNUs Learning Management System (Canvas) at the start of the course.