Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- apply creative expression to empower clients in social welfare practice
- use visual art methods for strengthening inclusion and participation in clients
- describe the theoretical basis of visual arts within the social context
- discuss the societal impact of arts in welfare practice

Teaching methods

A Canvas learning environment is used to support the implementation, but it is important to take part in teaching and guidance on campus according to schedule. The study unit includes working in pairs or groups. You will receive individual feedback for assignments from the teacher and working life or peer feedback may also be utilized.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Belfiore, E. & Bennett, O. 2010. The Social Impact of the Arts - An Intellectual History. Palgrave Macmillan UK.

Bethell, S. 2019. The Role of Creativity in Social Care Education and Practice. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330987334_The_Role_of_Creativity_in_Social_Care_Practice_and_Education (Linkittyy ulkoiselle sivustolle.)

Fancourt, D. & Finn, S. 2019. What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. (Linkittyy ulkoiselle sivustolle.) Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe (Health EvidenceNetwork (HEN) synthesis report 67).

Huhtinen-Hildén, L. & Isola, A.-M.2019. Reconstructing life narratives through creativity in social work. In publication: Cogent Social Sciences, 5:1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311886.2019.1606974

Matarasso, F.1997. Use or ornament? The social impact of participation in the arts. https://www.artshealthresources.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1997-Matarasso-Use-or-Ornament-The-Social-Impact-of-Participation-in-the-Arts-1.pdf

Contact your Laurea library well in advance to let the library know the study unit for which you need the books and the number of students in the study unit. The library can also help you find a suitable knowledge basis.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

All students are entitled to demonstrate their competence. The recognition and accreditation of prior competence is initiated by the students themselves. The competence is recognized and accredited by the teacher responsible for the studies or another person designated to the position. The assessment is carried out according to the same assessment criteria and, as a rule, same grading scale as that adopted for the corresponding study unit or module. The student is entitled to apply for accreditation of prior competence regardless of where, how and when the competence has been acquired. The student may also seek accreditation of competence to be acquired on the job as part of their degree (work-based learning). The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence and for providing sufficient information.

Important dates

According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. If they fail to notify the teacher of their absence in the first contact session, their enrollment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.”

Forms of internationality

The study unit is suitable for exchange students.

Students workload

One credit equals approximately 26.7 hours of work performed by the student.
Allocated Study time for the 5 Cr course:

Contact lessons: 40 hours
Personal creative assignments: 40 hours
Portfolio: 30 hours
Reading literature: 25 hours

Content and scheduling

Having completed the study unit, the student is able to:

- apply art-based methods to empower a sense of inclusion
- use visual arts to strengthen the inclusion of clients
- appreciate the equivalent needs of different group members
- apply visual art methods in social care practice
- reflect on their own experience in a creative process
- understand the concept and the meaning of third space in a creative dialogue
- use concrete art-based techniques and methods

Further information for students

According to the degree regulations students must be present for the first contact teaching session, or they must notify the responsible teacher of their absence to confirm they intend to participate in studies. The registration for the study unit will be rejected if the student does not notify the teacher of being absent from the first contact teaching session. Another student who is in line for the study unit can be selected in their place.

The quality of the study unit implementation has been assessed and the self-evaluation report is available in Canvas.

Evaluation methods and criteria

“The evaluation of competence is based on the descriptions of objectives in the curricula, and the level of competence is assessed according to the evaluation criteria listed in the implementation plan for the studies.” (Laurea degree regulations).


In this study unit the assessing of the competences will be done by using the criteria set for requirement level II.

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- analyze the acquired information, draw conclusions and combine theoretical knowledge with experiential knowledge

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- critically evaluate information and justify their actions with science-based knowledge

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- use professional concepts in a consistent manner and demonstrate their familiarity with the knowledge basis
- report and communicate in a professional manner


Teamwork, skills, leadership, and responsibility

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- evaluate and develop the team’s entrepreneurial and responsible approach to work
- evaluate the possibilities for utilizing competence and plan their personal development and development of the team

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- act in a manner that promotes the team’s entrepreneurial and responsible approach to work
- describe the development of their competence in relation to the learning outcomes

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- describe the significance of their actions for successful co-operation
- describe their competence in relation to the learning outcomes

All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarize yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. All study assignments are to be done as individual work unless otherwise instructed. If Ouriginal is used when assignments are checked, the lecturer will inform the students of this.