Program Overview

---

Course Overview

Course Description

The course "Theorizing social work" (SARB3010) provides extensive historical and scientific knowledge on social work tradition, theory, and method. Social phenomena and social incidents are used to illustrate theoretical perspectives. Social work is regarded as both a practice and a science, with the normative question and social policy frame reflecting ideologies and intended social change.

Course Details

• Credits: 15
• Level: Second degree level
• Course start: Autumn 2025
• Duration: 2 semesters
• Language of instruction: Norwegian
• Location: Trondheim
• Examination arrangement: Home examination

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

• Students have advanced knowledge about the genesis of social work as a subject, profession, and practice.
• Students have advanced knowledge of the theory and conceptualizing of social work.
• Students have advanced knowledge about the interrelations among theory, interpretation, and understanding of social challenges.
• Students are able to analyze and theorize social challenges and the professional methods applied in social work.
• Students have advanced knowledge in the field of knowledge production and research relevant for social work.
• Students can analyze value positions and interpretations related to perspectives used in social work theory and practice.

Skills

• Students can perform critical analyses and relate to uncertainty, moral, and politics and how this may affect social work as practice and theorizing.
• Students can analyze and deal critically with social work as a social science.

General Knowledge

• Students can analyze relevant social science questions in social work.

Learning Methods and Activities

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Student's own presentations
• Group work

Compulsory Assignments

• Written assignment
• Written assignment
• Oral presentation

Evaluation

• Home exam: 2 weeks
• Compulsory activities consist of two written assignments and an oral presentation.
• All compulsory activities must be approved in order to have the final exam.

Specific Conditions

• Admission to a programme of study is required: Social work (MSARB)

Recommended Previous Knowledge

• Bachelor in social work, child welfare work, social education programme, or similar degree.

Required Previous Knowledge

• Bachelor in social work, child welfare work, social education programme, or similar degree.
• The course is compulsory for students who are admitted to the master's program in social work.

Course Materials

• The syllabus list is published on Blackboard at the start of the course.

Credit Reductions

• Course code: SARB3005
• Reduction: 15 sp
• From: Autumn 2020
• This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above.

Subject Areas

• Social Sciences

Examination Arrangement

• Home examination
• Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary Examination - Autumn 2025

• Home examination
• Weighting: 100/100
• Examination aids: Code A
• Date: Release and submission time: 10:00 - 12:00
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Exam system: Inspera Assessment

Ordinary Examination - Spring 2026

• Home examination
• Weighting: 100/100
• Examination aids: Code A
• Date: Release and submission time: 10:00 - 12:00
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Exam system: Inspera Assessment