Qualified Work Placement with a Social Science Perspective

The placement includes one semester (20 weeks) and is completed during the semester, of which 17 weeks constitutes the placement and three weeks' work with examination assignments. The course gives the student possibility to work with society issues in different areas such as state and municipal public authorities, volunteer organisations and companies. The students should find an appropriate work placement themselves. It is important that the tasks during the placement are of relevant and advanced character and relate to the student's social sciences education.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding 

• Critically reflect on the experience from the internship and analyze the role of the previous social science education in the practical work
• Test and review the importance and relevance of social science competencies in future professional roles.

Competence and skills

• Critically and systematically integrate social science theoretical and methodological knowledge into specific areas of activity.
• Plan and execute tasks within the area of activity on which the internship is based as well as evaluate your own contribution to the work place.
• Carry out at least one written in-depth advanced qualification internship assignment independently in the area of activity.
• Independently compose a written report in stated time frames.

Judgement and approach

• Demonstrate the ability to independently search and imbibe relevant knowledge within a specific area of activity.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify one's need for additional knowledge and to continuously develop one's skills.

Practical training and seminars.

The learning outcomes are examined through

• An internship report which analyses the internship and its relation to the student's previous education, among other things.
• Two minor written assignments that are submitted during the ongoing placement, which relate to the student's ongoing placement and earlier education.
• An internship assignment, which constitutes a written sample of an advanced qualified in-depth assignment representing at least 60 hours of the internship period, which must be approved by the supervisor and the internship coordinator.
• Attendance on the work experience placement during the whole internship period, and that the placement has been carried out as agreed, which is certified in a supervisor report submitted in original.
• Participation in a compulsory final seminar where the students' internship reports constitute basis for group discussions, as well as a shorter presentation of the group discussion results.

Students who have failed internship report and placement assignment have a right to undergo a new test for a Pass grade. Students who failed the internship on site and thus were unable to submit a supervisor's report, have the right to redo the internship once more if there are special reasons. In the event that the student failed the internship on site, they should submit an new internship plan for consideration.

If a student who has twice received a failing grade for the same examination component wishes to change examiner ahead of the next examination session, such a request should be made to the department in writing and should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for study support for students with disabilities, the examiner may, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a period of at least one year, but no more than two years after the course has ceased/been changed. The same applies to internships and professional placements (VFU), although this is restricted to just one additional examination session.

To obtain a Pass grade in the course, the student must obtain a Pass in the following examinations:

• a written internship report
• two minor written assignments
• a written internship assignment
• a supervisor report
• attendance at compulsory final seminar

The course coordinator is responsible for systematically and regularly collecting the students' views of the course, and for making sure that the results of the evaluations in different forms are taken into consideration when developing the course. The results and possible changes to the course will be shared with the students who participated in the evaluation and the next class to take the course

• Before the internship begins, the student must submit an internship plan prepared in collaboration with the internship site. The plan must be signed by the supervisor at the internship site and meet the criteria for an approved internship plan.
• The Faculty of Social Sciences requires that there is a supervisor at the internship site with relevant qualifications to supervise the intern.
• During the internship period, students are expected to follow the regular working hours of the internship site.
• If the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD) advises against travel to a specific country or region, this advisory must be followed.
• Languages other than Swedish may be used at the internship site.