The students must satisfy the admissions requirements for the PhD programme in Social Sciences.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the students shall
have acquired a comprehensive overview of central elements in the growth and development of professions
be able to contribute to the development of knowledge about and for professions, through theoretical studies and/or interpretations of professional practice
be able to identify and analyse new challenges of a professional and ethical nature within the professions field, and take part in advanced discussions on such subjects
be able to situate their own research projects in relation to the professional research knowledge front
be able to challenge established knowledge and forms of practice
be able to contribute to the development of knowledge-based professional practice
Course contents
The thematic focal point in this course will be the changes and characteristics of development within the professions field. Historical and contextual factors which affect professional understanding, practice, and ethics will be emphasised in particular. In order to shed light on changes and compare across individual professions, the course will adopt a broad, research-based approach and include professional-sociological perspectives, philosophical analyses and phenomenological studies of people and relations.
The following themes will be central:
the profession’s autonomy and the relationship between profession and different management regimes
professions in between market, state and civil society
the knowledge basis of the professions, including a discussion of the relationship between theory and practice, and judgement and evidence
professional ethics and ethical challenges in practice
different relational and interactional processes connected to professional practice with emphasis on a phenomenologically-oriented understanding of relations, including the interaction with the service receiver
professional practice and gender
Teaching methods
The teaching will be a combination of lectures, conversations with students and student presentations.
Assessment methods and criteria
Course paper, 15 pages. The paper will be assessed as a pass/fail. A pass is equivalent to the grade B or better.
Evaluation
The PhD programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.
Other information
For more information please contact: Faculty of Social Sciences