Civic Activities and Youth Work

The Degree Programme in Civic Activities and Youth Work offers long-term courses in English in the field of adventure education and social inclusion.

During the academic year 2012-2013, Erasmus exchange students can complete up to 64 ECTS of studies within the degree programme. The courses are offered on two campuses: Tornio and Nurmijärvi.

The objective of the Degree Programme in Civic Activities and Youth work is to produce wide-ranging experts on human connections into the areas of organisations, youth work, and leisure activities. Central aspects are the development of the third sector and free civic activities, recognition and prevention of the marginalisation processes, and the production of different leisure services.

  • Admission criteria: Enrolment in Erasmus programme
  • Fees: None. But transportation to different learning environments will be student’s responsibility.
  • Accomodation: Campus dormitories 129€ - 250€ per month
  • Application Deadline:For Autumn term 13th of April 2012 and  for Spring term 2013,  15th of November 2012

Further Information and applications

Minor in Adventure Education Course
Maria Kontinen, HUMAK/Tornio Campus,
Kivirannantie 13 -15, FI-95410 Tornio, Finland
Tel: +358 20 7621 288, maria [dot] kontinen [at] humak [dot] fi

Young people and social inclusion
Sari Höylä, HUMAK/Nurmijärvi Campus,
Kotorannantie 49, FI- 05250 Kiljava, Finland
Tel: +358 20 7621 376, sari [dot] hoyla [at] humak [dot] fi

 

Courses 20012-2013

Autumn Term 2012

Adventure Education (30 ECTS)

Study period: September 2012 – December 2012

 Application Form Autumn Term 2012

 

at HUMAK Tornio Campus

ADVENTURE EDUCATION COURSE (30 ECTS)

This ERASMUS Exchange course is designed for students who already have experience in leading groups and/or organizing events. Students should have no or very little past experience in adventure or outdoor activities. This course starts from the novice level on skill instruction in hiking, climbing and kayaking.

Adventure Education course suits well for 3rd or 4th year students, whose study line is social studies,

education, youth work, leisure and activity studies

Content:

Methods and Techniques in Adventure Education (12 ECTS)

• Teambuilding games and plays

• Wilderness camping and travelling

• Basic navigation and orienteering

• Basic climbing and rope management

• Basic kayaking and water rescue

• Basic winter travel and skiing

• Environmental ethics

• Risk management

Leadership in Adventure education (6 ECTS)

• Self leadership

• Active followership

• Decision making and judgement

• Teamwork and communication

Activity Organizing in Adventure Education (6 ECTS)

• Planning and programming

• Project organization and logistics

• Processing experiences

• Safety and risk management

Experiential Learning and Adventure Education Theories (4 ECTS)

• History of adventure education

• Concepts of theories

Finnish Language and Culture (2 ECTS)

• The basics of Finnish language

Objectives

Students

• will gain experiences in adventure education and understanding of the theories in experiential learning and adventure education

• will learn skills and knowledge that they can develop in adventure education

• will gain understanding of the importance of technical skills and educational knowledge in order to lead and facilitate safe

Learning environments

Contact instruction, group projects, independent studying and field trips

Evaluation

Evaluation is based on participation, written assignments and reports.

Prerequisites

• A good command in English language, both spoken and written is required since studying language is English

• Normal health and normal physical condition is recommended since a good part of the studying is based on outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking and climbing

• Good tolerance for multicultural studying environment and diverse student group

• Good cooperation and communication skills

Study period

3rd of September 2012 – 30th of November 2012

Other information

• Students are responsible of their own personal outdoor clothing and equipment which are needed on field trips, such as hiking boots, rain gear, backpack and sleeping bag. Group equipment during the studies, such as tents and stoves are provided by HUMAK

• Housing is available on campus.

• Student priced meals are offered on campus cafeteria.

• 300 € for field trips, transportation and equipment use will be collect­ed at the beginning of the course.

 

Spring Term 2013

Young People and Social Inclusion (34 ECTS)

Study period: 15th of January 2013 –  17th of  June 2013

at HUMAK Nurmijärvi Campus

Courses:

Introduction (2 ECTS)

Objectives

Students

  • are familiar with different learning methods and learning environments
  • are familiar with HUMAK’s pedagogical environment
  • practise planning their studies and evaluating their own learning
  • have a basic understanding of the history, development and current status of civic activities and NGO and youth work in Finland and Europe.
  • Students familiarize themselves with different institutions and organizations that work with young people in Finland

Content:

  • Learning methods and learning environments
  • Degree programme, syllabus, study guide
  • Self-evaluation skills
  • Key operating environments, developments and professionalism of civic activities and NGO and youth work

Learning environments: contact instruction

Finnish language (1 ECTS)

Objectives:

Students

  • Understand the basics of the Finnish language and vocabulary and are able to use the most common linguistic structures.
  • Understand and are able to use phrases used in everyday situations.
  • are able to use vocabulary related to everyday life and some terminology of their field

Learning environments: contact instruction

English (Professional English) 3 ECTS

Objectives:

Students

  • are able to express themselves fluently in professional and other language use situations
  • are able to write coherent texts clearly and fluently, using appropriate style (including in professional texts)
  • understand the main ideas in texts written on general subjects and those related to their own special field
  • are able to use linguistic structures broadly
  • understand and are able to use general vocabulary and special terminology of their field appropriately

Contents

  • Terminology and texts related to the field of civic activities and NGO and youth work
  • Oral and written language skills
  • Training, job seeking and work, work environment and society, networking
  • Various written assignments, such as messages, reports, summaries/abstracts and documents related to job seeking (CV and job application)

Learning environments: contact instruction

 Introduction to Intercultural Interaction 5 ECTS

Objectives:

Students

  • are familiar with the concept of culture and its diverse manifestations, and with Finnish minority cultures
  • understand the influence of culture on their own and on other people’s behaviour.
  • are familiar with the principles and practices of multicultural work
  • are able to understand difference and encounter individuals and groups representing different cultures

Content:

  • Global ethics and racism
  • Language, nationality and identity
  • Immigrants and other minorities
  • Multicultural work, encountering difference

Learning environments: contact instruction

Project management 3 ECTS

Objectives:

Students

  • understand the principles and practices of project work

Content:

  • Projects and their financing

Learning environments: contact instruction

Youth empowerment (10 ECTS)

Objectives:

Students

  • acquire competences, both in theory and practice, for working with young people and promoting social inclusion, active citizenship and equality
  • learn to evaluate the role of civil society and their own role as promoters of active citizenship and equality
  • learn to use different methods for youth empowerment and early intervention.
  • learn to evaluate the effectiveness of the methods from different viewpoints (sociology, psychology, educational science, social policy, social pedagogy)
  • are introduced to the European structures and legislation related to young people, inclusion and equality

Content:

  • Finnish and European social welfare systems and legislation
  • Theories and practices of preventive youth work
  • Juvenile justice and mediation
  • Methodologies and practices of youth empower­ment and early intervention
  • Active citizenship and youth participation. Theories and practices.
  • Diversity and equality. Theories and practices.
  • The role of NGOs and other civil society actors in youth empowerment

Learning environments: contact instruction

Participatory project (10 ECTS)

Objectives:

Students

  • strengthen their knowledge of the field
  • strengthen their professional skills required in youth work
  • learn to work within professional networks
  • learn to communicate and cooperate with people from different cultural and social backgrounds
  • understand the principles of project work and its development
  • understand the significance of interactive communication as part of project implementation

Content:

  • Participatory planning,implementation and evaluation of projects
  • Interactive communication
  • Target and stakeholder analyses
  • Participatory development of project work

Learning environments: Project learning, contact instruction, practical training

Methods of Study

  • Contact instruction, independent work, educational visits, work placement and group projects
  • Cultural integration will be part of the course as the activities and lessons are with Finnish students

Evaluation

  • Evaluation is based on participation, written assignments and reports.