Course content

Academic content

The course starts with a mandatory gathering over two days where students through practical team exercises learn about cooperation and the development of a common identity in work groups. An introductory seminar will also be arranged where professionals present themselves and their research to the students.

The course consists of three modules that together provide a holistic presentation / a holistic picture of what is meant by modern working life, why this is important and how to work with this in practice. Each of these modules contains a mandatory activity.

Module 1 starts with a presentation of what is meant by the modern working life. Initially, the historical background based on the Norwegian/Nordic model and the development of the Working Environment Act in Norway will be presented. The principles and rights of the Working Environment Act will be emphasized in discussions of theoretical and empirical issues related to the facilitation and organization of a good working environment. The module will discuss knowledge about how working life was before, what today's working life and trends are, and what the working life of the future may look like. For example, digitalization, new technology and the green shift will be trends that will be relevant to discuss with this in mind.

Module 2 deals with various theories and models for understanding the relationship between work and health. Topics covered are: what is occupational health psychology, the difference between prevention and health promotion, what is meant by positive psychology and psychosocial work environment. Work and occupational health are highlighted through both a preventive and a health-promoting perspective with a focus on psychosocial work environment factors, and examples of key concepts such as management, job commitment, burnout, work-family balance, well-being and productivity will be provided.

Module 3 deals with research on organizational change and intervention research to discuss knowledge of what it takes to improve the design of work, facilitate work better based on the individual's prerequisites and develop well-being, health and productivity in the workplace. There will be a focus on success factors for implementation and review of how to evaluate the result of the intervention process / organizational change.

Learning outcome

Learning outcomes

• The main objective of this course is to provide knowledge and understanding of legislation, theories and empirics on work and occupational health, and how to prevent and promote a good working environment/working life.

Knowledge:

• The student has knowledge of the conditions that apply to Norwegian working life and work organization, with particular emphasis on the paragraphs of the Working Environment Act.
• The student has knowledge of the "Nordic model" for the working environment.
• The student has knowledge of trends in working life and future jobs
• The student has an advanced understanding of relevant theories and empirics within psychosocial work environment and occupational health
• The student has knowledge of how to form healthy change processes and interventions in organizations.
• The student has specialized in-depth understanding within a self-chosen area.

Skills:

• The student can analyze and reflect on various issues in occupational and occupational health psychology based on legislation, history, conceptualization, and various theoretical models.
• The student can develop relevant problem (s) and write an independent theoretical term paper.
• The student can critically select scientifically relevant literature.
• The student can make an independent good oral and written presentation of theory and empirical data from the field of occupational and occupational health psychology.
• The student can plan, implement and evaluate measures / interventions in working life.
• The student has specialized in-depth understanding within a self-chosen area.

General competence:

• The student can demonstrate a critical, analytical and innovative approach to current knowledge and practice in the field of work and occupational health psychology.
• The student has relational competence through having developed an understanding of having collective awareness in the workplace.
• The student can apply their knowledge and skills in new areas to answer new research questions.
• The student is able to reflect, collaborate, communicate and present academic issues.

Learning methods and activities

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, workshops, supervision.

Oral presentations, two days of mandatory collaborative training/teambuilding and introductory seminar.

Mandatory activities

Collaborative training

• Exercises

Compulsory assignments

• Collaborative workshop with overnight lodging.
• Attendance in modules and presentation of group assignments.
• Godkjenning av problemstilling

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Study level: Higher degree level

Credit reductions