Course Objectives

In relation to knowledge, skills and expertise, after completing this course students will have:

• Knowledge of key concepts related to a multicultural society
• Knowledge of issues concerning communication in a multicultural context, with emphasis on language and socio-cultural contexts
• Understanding of the relationship between trans-nationality and upbringing of children and young people with minority backgrounds
• The ability to analyse central dilemmas in psychosocial work with children and young people with minority backgrounds, with a particular focus on child protection and working with unaccompanied refugee minors
• The ability to analyse how migration can lead to changes for individuals, groups and society

Course Description

Students will gain knowledge of the importance of multiculturalism to the conditions in which children and adolescents grow up. Globalisation has meant that the world has become “smaller”, and that people from different parts of the world are increasingly interacting with each other; this applies to both minority and majority groups. International migration related to people seeking work or protection from war and political persecution results in local communities in recipient countries facing new challenges. Children and adolescents constitute a large proportion of the international migrant population, whether travelling with their families or alone. Globalisation creates new conditions for identity-formation among children and adolescents, and their sense of belonging both to the place (local communities) and new types of social communities; this often results in new forms of inequality and marginalisation. Migration and globalisation result in a need for multicultural understanding and expertise within various sectors. This also applies to sectors that work with children and young people, who have to deal with changes in the environment in which they are growing up.

The course includes the following topics:

• International migration and multicultural societies
• Communication, ethnicity and context
• Minority perspectives in prevention and health promotion with children and young people

Learning Methods

Students may choose either 981-E2A or 981-E2B.
If there are too few applicants to one of the above options, then only one of them may be offered.

Teaching and learning methods

The course includes different learning contexts and learning methods, which will enhance students’ learning and create an active learning environment. The course comprises lectures, discussions, seminars, discussion groups, feedback on assignments, student presentations and individual work. The workload in this course corresponds to that of a full-time course of studies.

All the seminars are mandatory, as well as the assignments that are outlined in the course plan. Students must meet the attendance requirement of at least 75% of the obligatory seminars and all assignments must be approved before students will be allowed to sit the final examination. The seminars and assignments are mandatory so that students will be able to develop the necessary skills as a foundation for studying the Master’s degree courses and writing a Master’s thesis.

Assessment Methods

Course code: 981-E2A: Migration, Health and Society

5 hour individual examination.
No examination aids allowed.
Grade A-F.
The grade for the course will be entered on the diploma.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean