Course content

This course will focus on different contexts and forms within the user involvement in social work. User participation will be discussed from different perspectives and recent research in the field will be presented. Theoretical frameworks and possibilities to combine different research perspectives will be particularly pointed out.

Learning outcome

The aim is (A) to approach the topic from various perspectives of research; (B) to give the students an opportunity to deepen their theoretical and methodological competence in understanding the user involvement; (C) to provide new knowledge about the challenges of understanding the user perspective in social work research and practice; (D) to give tools for identifying the challenges and richness of understanding user involvements in different forms and different contexts in students' own doctoral studies; (E) deepen students' research skills and foster their critical thinking.
The course is offered when teaching resources are available and not less then 5 persons are registered

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, group sessions, essay, student paper presentations. The theme of the essay and related reading list should be approved. The exam is in the form of an essay/paper. The essay is expected to be about 7000 words and related to the course. It is also encouraged that it is related to the theme of the student's thesis. The course may be taught in either Norwegian or English.

Compulsory assignments

• Attendance, writing of paper appr. 10-15 pages, presentation of paper in course must be approved.

Required previous knowledge

Master degree or equivalent. Master students may occasionally take part in the course but do not earn ECTs.

Course materials

The reading list will be 600-800 pages, of which 200-300 pages are chosen by the student.