Leading change and development in welfare organizations, 4 Credits

Contents

This is an introductory course to the leading of change and development in public and private welfare organizations. The following topics are introduced: management and leadership; organization and organizational development; quality improvement and change; collaboration and communication. All subjects are discussed from an international perspective. Students are encouraged to contribute to the course content richness by relating to their own working experiences, mainly within public and private welfare organizations.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After this course the student is expected to:

• Account for basic principles regarding management of change and development in public and private welfare organizations
• Understand and discuss various aspects of management in public and private welfare organizations
• Understand and discuss organization and organizational development from various perspectives

Skills and Abilities
After this course the student is expected to:

• Analyse needs of and approaches to change and development work in the context of public and private welfare organizations
• Be able to plan for development work in the context of public and private welfare organizations

Judgement and approach
After this course the student is expected to:

• Critically examine the management of change and development within public and private welfare organizations from an international perspective 

Required Knowledge

For non-programme students applying as freestanding course students, the requirements are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health sciences, environmental health or social sciences. English proficiency equivalent to English B/6 from Swedish Upper secondary education.

Form of instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, group work and cases. Own work by students is an important part of the course. Students are expected to have oriented themselves in the course literature before the course starts. Other course materials (cases, articles) can be read before the relevant lectures and seminars. Cases, course project and seminars where the projects presented are mandatory. All teaching will be in English.

Examination modes

The course is graded with, VG (Pass with distinction), G (Pass), U (Fail).

The course is examined through participation in mandatory individual and group based assignments. The grading scale for mandatory seminars and group assignments is Fail (U) and Pass (G). The grading scale for the written individual course assignments is Fail (U), Pass (G), and Pass with distinction (VG). To pass the course all mandatory assignments need to be graded with a Pass. In order to be awarded Pass with distinction for the course, the grade Pass with distinction is required for the written individual course assignments where that grade is applied.

Students who do not pass the regular examination have the right to a new examination (see university rules for course examinations).

If there are special reasons, the examiner has the right to decide whether another form of examination can be used.  It is only allowed to supplement a failing grade to a pass. Supplementation to achieve a higher grade is not allowed. A student who has failed two tests for a course, is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it. A written request should be submitted to the director of studies.

Deviations from the course syllabus' examination may be made for a student who has been subject to a decision granting pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adaption of the examination form shall be considered based on the student's needs. The form of examination is adapted within the framework of the expected study results of the course syllabus. At the student's request, the course coordinator shall promptly decide, in consultation with the examiner, on the appropriate form of examination. The decision shall then be communicated to the student.

Other regulations

Students have the right to examine whether previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired can be credited for the corresponding course at Umeå University. Application is submitted to Studentcentrum/Examina. Details on credit transfer can be found at Umeå University's student web, www.umu.se/en/student/, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal of transfer of credits may be appealed (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies to the whole or part of the application for which the transfer of credit is refused.