About this course

This course provides an introduction to participation as a method in research and practice to promote public health. Participatory approaches are based on a critical epistemological perspective where the goal is to contribute to change, liberation and strengthening of health resources in different population groups.

Students gain knowledge of key participatory approaches and methods such as participation, co-creation, strengths-based approaches, action research, systems thinking, photovoice, concept mapping, SWOT analysis, etc. Emphasis is also placed on how such participatory approaches can be understood and applied in the context of and evaluation methods in public health work.

As part of the course, students carry out practical project work in groups, commissioned by actors in the local community. The project will be based on participatory methods and result in a written report to the external actors, in which the project is described and discussed in light of relevant theoretical perspectives.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the student should have acquired knowledge about:

  • participation as a theoretical concept
  • theoretical perspectives about how to promote participation, and contribute to the change, release and strengthen of health resources
  • various participatory approaches in research and practice in public health work, such as action research and co-creation and involvement

Students will have developed skills in:

  • facilitating projects in public health work based on participatory approaches and be able to communicate this written and orally

The student should have developed competence in:

  • participatory approaches in public health work
  • being able to apply theory of participation and involvement in public health work
  • being able to relate critically and constructively to what concepts like participation involvement and co-creation means in a public health context
  • collaborating across professions, actors and roles to strengthen participation in public health work

  • Learning activities

    Practical project work in group. Lectures, seminars, supervision and self study will support the work with a term paper/group work. Students skills are assessed through the semester assignment and an oral presentation.

  • Teaching support

    Teachers are available at the workshops and through Canvas.

  • Syllabus

    Scientific articles and books. An overview of literature will be available upon the start of the course.

  • Prerequisites

    FHV330 and FHV315.

  • Assessment method

    Assignment: The term paper (written project report) counts 100 %. Grades A-F

  • About use of AI

  • Examiner scheme

    An external examiner approves the the assessment scheme and the examiner's guide. Two internal examiners evaluates the report (assignment).

  • Mandatory activity

    Implementation of a practical project. Mandatory activities are in addition group supervision and oral presentation of the project.

  • Teaching hours

    The course is based on weekly intensive workshops. Approx. 10 days of full time workshops distributed on 5-6 days of gathering (lectures, seminars and group supervision).

  • Preferential right

    M-FOL / M-FOL-DEL

  • Admission requirements

    Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)