SV-147 Intorduction to Politics, Social Theory and Methods (Autumn 2025)

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student will:

• have knowledge of social science theories and methods
• have knowledge of democracy and democratic participation
• have knowledge of political theory, ideologies and the Norwegian political system
• have knowledge of working life and value creation, the national economy and the judiciary
• have knowledge of the rights of children and young people, their political and economic participation
• have knowledge about socialization and identity development in childhood and adolescence
• have knowledge of gender equality, cultural diversity, sami culture and minorities in Norway
• have knowledge of social science as a school subject and social science didactics
• have knowledge of customized education, assessment and creative and varied teaching methods.

Skills

After completing the course, the student will:

• be able to facilitate learning processes that stimulate critical thinking and democratic practice in school
• be able to apply professional didactic knowledge and basic skills according to current curriculum and critically evaluate own teaching
• be able to work independently with academic questions and analyze professional issues based on the facts and theories of the subject area
• be able to use societal sources and material in the development of the students' basic skills
• be able to use and evaluate digital tools and sources in the training, and help students interact actively and critically with digital media
• be able to critically evaluate textbooks and other teaching materials for use in the education.
• be able to facilitate a good psychosocial learning environment

General competence

After completing the course, the student will:

• be able to facilitate collaboration and conflict resolution in work with the students
• be able to reflect critically on social issues and stimulate critical thinking
• have insight into the understanding of the subject by children and adolescents.
• have developed the ability to communicate with children and young people in ways that create commitment and learning

The course will focus on understanding society from the local to the global level. Central themes are democracy, democratic citizenship and participation. The course will provide an introduction to social science theory and research methods with special attention to practical application of these. The course also provides insight on economic and cultural aspects of society, locally and nationally. Sociological themes such as socialization and identity development, youth and children¿s rights and their participation in societal life are subjects in this course.

Critical thinking has an important role in this course and students will be presented with differing perspectives from several fields of study. Students will be presented with didactical training that seeks to stimulate critical reflection and understanding of diversity and equality. In the course, students will also have the opportunity to gain knowledge on youth and their digital life and challenges related to new digital forms of learning will be discussed.

The course in practice

The central themes will be used to make didactical reflections through the whole course. Discussions and practical training will be applied to develop understanding the nature of the field of study and to apply knowledge in a way that promotes children and youths attitude building, engagement and learning. In the practice period the students will work with planning didactically relevant teaching with special emphasis on fundamental skills and in practicing varying teaching methods.

Work assignments and practice must be passed in order to take the exam. Detailed description of work assignments will be provided through Canvas. The course is entitled to 70% attendance in order to pass the exam.

Primary school students must have: Passed practice. Other students must have: Passed academic didactic work of equivalent scope as practice.