Multidisciplinary Networking (5 cr)

Materials

Glenny, G., & Roaf, C. (2008). Multiprofessional communication: Making systems work for children. Open University Press.

Reeves, S., Xyrichis, A., & Zwarenstein, M. (2018). Teamwork, collaboration, coordination, and networking: Why we need to distinguish between different types of interprofessional practice.

Seikkula J & Arnkil, T. E 2006(2018) Dialogical Meetings in Social Networks (The Systemic Thinking and Practice Series). E-Kirja Available e-library, Janet-Finna.

Additional material will be provided in the Moodle learning environment

Evaluation scale

0-5

International connections

The course is open to international exchange students.

Completion alternatives

-

Further information

The assignment of the course is assessed numerically (0-5) on the basis of the assessment criteria of the course. Participation in the orientation-webinar and case-seminar is a prerequisite for approved course.

Employer connections

The learning task of the course involves an interview with a specialist in the field of multidisciplinary networking.

Virtual portion

5

Student workload

Orientation webinar 3 h
Case-seminar (webinar) 8 h
Learning task 54 h
Studying materials, literature and independent study 70 h
Total workload 135 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1 (Below average)
The student demonstrates to have reached the learning objectives of the course on a basic knowledge level. The student ´s written assignments contain essential information of the theoretical basis and methods of multidisciplinary networking. The student utilizes sources in his/her assignments.

2 (Satisfactory level)
The student demonstrates to have reached the learning objectives of the course on a satisfactory level. The student demonstrates modest capabilities to describe the subjects of the course and he/she utilizes sources very little in his/her assignments.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3 (Good)
The student demonstrates to have reached the learning objectives of the course on a good level. The student’s written assignments demonstrate a well-structured knowledge of the theoretical basis and methods of multidisciplinary networking. The student utilizes source materials and applies and illustrates experience-based knowledge in his/her assignments.

4 (Very good)
The student demonstrates to have reached the learning objectives of the course on a very good level. The student’s written assignments demonstrate very diverse and well-structured knowledge of the theoretical basis and methods of multidisciplinary networking. The student utilizes source materials and experience-based knowledge critically in his/her assignments and applies and illustrates experience-based knowledge in his/her assignments.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 (Excellent)
The student demonstrates to have reached the learning objectives of the course on an excellent level. The student’s written assignments demonstrate extremely diverse and well-structured knowledge of the theoretical basis and methods of multidisciplinary networking.
The student utilizes source materials and experience-based knowledge broadly and critically in his/her assignments. He/She brings forth new ideas on how to develop these.

Content scheduling

-

Exam schedules

There are no exams during the course.

Teaching language

en

Teaching methods

You will complete the whole course online. The course starts with a webinar, where you will go through the course content and key themes and concepts.

During the course, you will participate in a multi-professional case seminar. The seminar will be held as an online webinar at Zoom. The seminar is compulsory for all students.

During the course you will do a learning assignment alone or with a partner. In the learning assignment you will write an essay response in which you will demonstrate your knowledge of the knowledge base of multi-professional cooperation, theories and how the theoretical knowledge is applied in practice. You will also reflect on the content of a multidisciplinary seminar.

Location and time

The course will be delivered entirely online in the period 25.08.2025 - 26.10.2025.

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5

Content

The course discusses the theoretical principles and methodological starting points of multidisciplinary networking and examines the client’s role as part of multidisciplinary and reciprocal networking. The course addresses the conceptual differences in multi-party collaboration and the ways how multiprofessional, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration appears in practice. The course explores the relationship between different operating practices and the degree of trust in networking based on current research.

Objective

You are able to:
- Explain the client’s needs as the starting point for multidisciplinary networking
- Assess/describe/support the client’s role in multidisciplinary networks
- Describe multidisciplinarity as action that brings together and crosses the borders of different administrative sectors and disciplines
- Identify different ways of working and working methods when working in multidisciplinary networks
- Compare different forms of cooperation
- Describe the processes of networking and apply them in your own work
- Apply the theoretical principles of multidisciplinary networking when working in a multidisciplinary team/network