Transforming Communication for Social Services (5 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- demonstrate oral, written, and mediated communication in English required for the social services field
- use language and referencing appropriately and effectively in written academic work
- identify and reflect on personal developmental needs in communication and develop realistic strategies for improvement
- reflect on the cultural competency required to communicate effectively with diverse groups

Location and time

Please refer to the Timetable Engine at https://lukkarit.laurea.fi/ for the schedule information. Laurea reserves the right to modify the timetable.

Materials

All learning materials are provided in Canvas or as handouts.

Teaching methods

A Canvas learning environment is used to support the implementation. There is an attendance requirement of 80% for this course. The attendance requirement needs to be fulfilled for this study unit to be completed successfully. The study unit includes working in pairs or groups. You will receive individual feedback for assignments from the teacher.
Artificial intelligence cannot be utilized for the written assignments on this course.

Exam schedules

Based on the degree regulations (2024), the student accepted for the implementation is required to confirm his/her participation by showing activity at the start of the study in the following way:

In order to demonstrate activity, the student must be present at the first contact lesson or notify the teacher in charge of his/her absence to confirm his/her participation in the study. Registration will be rejected if the student does not report his/her absence at the start of the study or the reason for the absence cannot be considered justified. Another student can be taken in his place. The first contact lesson is 25.9.2024.

Please note the Management of Actual or Potential Aggression (MAPA) certification will also be provided on this course. All MAPA lessons need to be attended, otherwise the MAPA certificate cannot be granted. The lessons are : 14,15 and 19 November

International connections

This is a multicultural group so intercultural communication is an integral part of this course.

Completion alternatives

According to the degree regulations (2024), "Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when and how the competence has been acquired. [...]. At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence." Further information in the student intranet.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Student workload

A 5-credit course is equivalent to 135 hours of work.
An in-depth workload will be supplied in the Canvas workspace.
This course has 60 hours of contact lessons.

Content scheduling

The contents include:
• Oral communication skills needed for the workplace: presentations skills; client interactions;
• Report and academic writing skills
• Management of Actual or Potential Aggression (MAPA)


This course is also integrated into the V1472 Basic Premises of Customer Work in the Social Care Sector. The Life Course essay assignment for the Basic Premises course will be evaluated as part of this course.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

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