The course takes place in period

2 (2021-10-25 to 2021-12-31)

Level/category

Other studies

Teaching language

English

Type of course

Optional

Cycle/level of course

First

Total number of ECTS

5 cr

Competency aims

The aim of the course is to increase the students knowledge of compassion at work, both in their own field as well as others. Another aim is to develop a mindset that is sensitive to the needs of others and self with regards to compassion and emotional labor. A third aim is to introduce and develop practical skills that will aid students in becoming compassionate co-workers, and contribute to compassionate working environments.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student:
- has gained a theoretical as well as practical understanding of the main concepts: compassion, empathy, sympathy, ethics, and empathy fatigue
-can analyze everyday situations, life domains and work contexts where compassion is needed
- demonstrates increased awareness of the important role of compassion at work from three distinct perspectives: for one?s own well-being, for the well-being of others, as well as for organizations
-can collaborate inter-professionally and has learned to appreciate the benefits of learning from others and from the best practices of other professions
- can understand their personal experiences of compassion in relation to theoretical knowledge and the experiences of others
-can discuss the ethical aspects of situations where compassion is needed
- can explain why compassion can be taxing on an individual and what emotional labor is
- can explain what emotion regulation is and apply some emotion regulation techniques and coping strategies to help sustain one´s own well-being

Course contents

The course operates with the logic of flipped-classroom in that the students first obtain basic knowledge of the central concepts and various aspects of compassion individually , and then participate in contact lectures and workshops where they work together in groups.
The first part is conducted as an online course with ItsLearning as a primary platform.
It consists of online lectures on Zoom, readings and a written exam, as well as screenings of lectures and taped interviews tailored for the course. This input introduces different aspects of compassion and related topics to the students, such as emotional labor, ethical considerations, and well-being from different proffessional contexts.
The second part consists of F2F-meetings at Arcada campus. It is built around a a series of workshops, where students work in inter-professional teams on practical cases based on their personal experience, that enable them to together build an understanding of the range of questions involved in compassion, and find meaningful ways to deal with and demonstrate such challenges. The workshops will conclude in the production of personal video testimonies where students will recount personal experiences and observations of compassion. The course will end with a screening and discussion of the videos.

Practical learning outcomes:

A learning diary. Each student will keep a learning diary that will reflect the students increased awareness of the role of compassion in various contexts. The diary will be handed in at the end of the course. The learning diary may include text, images, and moving image.
A written exam. Each student will write an exam that demonstrates the students understanding of the relevant theories and central concepts. The exam will be based upon the course literature
The course consists of two parts. The first part of the course has a focus on the central consepts and theories related to compassion in work organizations and environments. It consists of lectures, readings, as well as screenings of taped interviews tailored for the course. (Note: if students cannot understand the language of an interview they will be given a compensatory assignment).
The interviews can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS7qv_CXe5R239wHDmWQfvCI2sJyyQylu External link

This input introduces different aspects of compassion and related topics to the students, such as emotional labor, ethical considerations, and well-being from different proffessional contexts.
The second part is built around a a series of workshops, where students work in inter-professional teams on practical cases based on their personal experience, that enable them to together build an understanding of the range of questions involved in compassion, and find meaningful ways to deal with and demonstrate such challenges. The workshops will conclude in the production of personal video testimonies where students will recount personal experiences and observations of compassion. The course will end with a screening and discussion of the videos.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

N/A

Previous course names

N/A

Recommended or required reading

Course literature:
Compassion at Work:
Dutton, J.E. & Worline M.C. (2017) Awakening Compassion at Work: The Quiet Power that Elevates People and Organizations. Berreth-Kohler.
(Eisler, R. (2017) A Conversation with Monica Worline and Jane Dutton: Compassion in the Work Place. Center for Partnership Studies.)

Additional reading:
Grandell, R. (2015) Itsemyötätuntotunto. Tammi
Gross L., Katz,J. S., Ruby J., (eds)., (1988) ImageEthics. New York: Oxford University Press.

Halifax, J., (2011) The Precious Necessity of Compassion, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.08.010 External link
Neff, K. D. (2012). The science of self-compassion. Compassion and wisdom in psychotherapy, 1, 79-92.
Neff, K. D., & Seppälä, E. (2016). Compassion, well-being, and the hypo-egoic self. Oxford handbook of hypo-egoic phenomena: Theory and research on the quiet ego, 189-202.
Nichols, B., (2010). Introduction to Documentary, Second Edition, Second Edition edition. ed. Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

Nåls J., (2019). Making the strange familiar: the functions of empathy in intercultural film narrative, Helsingfors universitet.
Pessi, A-B., Matrela, F., Paakkanen, M. ( 2017) Myötätunnon mullistava voima. PS kustannus. 1. Painos. ISBN 978-952-451-779-9
+ en ljudbok om self-compassion:
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Self-Compassion-Step-by-Step-Audiobook/B00… External link

Study activities

  • Lectures - 20 hours
  • Individual- and group instruction - 20 hours
  • Practical exercises - 20 hours
  • Project- and production work/artistic activities - 20 hours
  • Individual studies - 20 hours
  • Internet-based studies - 35 hours

Workload

  • Total workload of the course: 135 hours
  • Of which autonomous studies: 135 hours
  • Of which scheduled studies: 0 hours

Mode of Delivery

Multiform education

Assessment methods

Exams (written-, oral-, home-)

Assessment requirements

To pass the course the student should pass the
following examinations:

1. A learning diary. Each student will keep a learning diary that will reflect the students increased awareness of the role of compassion in various contexts. The diary will be handed in at the end of the course.

2. A written exam. Each student will write an exam that demonstrates the students understanding of the relevant theories. The exam will be based upon the course literature

3. A personal video testimony. Each student will make a video in which the student recounts a personal experience or observation that relates to compassion as discussed during the course. The video can relate to compassion on a personal, inter-personal, and/or organizational level.

The examinations contribute to the final grade as
follows: Written exam (20%), Learning diary (30%), Personal video testimony (30%) + Activity (20%)

Teacher

  • Eronen Lotta
  • Franck Henrika
  • Nåls Jan
  • Sagne-Ollikainen Elina

Examiner

Nåls Jan

Group size

No limit (8 students enrolled)

Assignments valid until

Until further notice

The timetable of the course

Timetable

1. 27.10 17-19 IRL Oasis
Introduction to the course, its lecturers, and students. Introduction to the first part. Readings, course description and course briefs and deadlines delivered to students. (Jan Nåls)
Lecture: The myths of compassion (Henrika Franck)
Lecture: How to see and act feelingly - Introduction to the central concepts (Jan Nåls)
2. Wed 3.11 17-19 IRL Oasis
Introduction to screening #1. (moderator: Lotta Eronen) Screening: Medkänsla i yrket som förstavårdare, interview (SWE) with first responder, degree programme director and compassion researcher Christoffer Ericsson, Arcada. Discussion.
3. Wed 10.11 17-19 IRL Oasis
Introduction to screening #2 (moderator: Elina Sagne-Ollikainen) Screening: Myötätunto digitaalisessa ympäristössä, interview (FIN) with postdoctoral researcher Silja Martikainen, Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Univ. Of Helsinki. Discussion.
4. Wed 17.11 15-20 IRL Oasis
15-17 Presentation of the written exam. Discussion.
17-19 Introduction to screening #3 (moderator: Jan Nåls) Screening: Dokumentära berättelser och medkänsla för de andra, interview (SWE) with director/producer Anna Blom, JAMedia productions. Discussion.
5. Wed 24.11 17-20 IRL Oasis
Introduction to screening #4 (moderator: Henrika Franck) Screening: Medkänsla och ledarskap, interview (SWE) with CEO Veronica Lindholm, Indoor group. Discussion.
6. Wed 1.12 15-20 IRL Oasis
Introduction to the second part. The power and ethos of the personal story (Jan Nåls, Lotta Eronen, Elina Sagne Ollikainen, Henrika Franck) Screenings of international video testimonials.
Workshop: Finding and writing Your personal story. (Jan Nåls)
7. Wed 9.12 17-20 IRL Oasis/Arcada recording studio
Workshop. Writing/Recording personal testimonies. (Jan Nåls, Lotta Eronen, Elina Sagne Ollikainen)
8. Thu 10.12 17-20 IRL Oasis/Arcada recording studio
Workshop. Writing/Recording personal testimonies. (Jan Nåls, Lotta Eronen, Elina Sagne Ollikainen)
9. Wed 15.12 17-20 IRL Oasis/Arcada recording studio
Screening of personal testimonies. Discussion and feedback. Q&A. (JN, HF, E S-O, LE)
Learning diaries to be handed in by 31.12.2021. Examination and registration of ECTS.

Course enrolment period

2021-08-31 to 2021-10-26

Assessment methods

2021-11-17 - Exams

Room reservations
Date Time Room Title Description Organizer
2021-10-27 17:00 - 20:00 F249 Compassion at Work
2021-11-03 17:00 - 19:00 F249 Compassion at Work
2021-11-10 17:00 - 19:00 F249 Compassion at Work Nåls Jan
2021-11-17 17:00 - 20:00 A309 Compassion at Work Nåls Jan
2021-11-24 17:00 - 19:00 F249 Compassion at Work Nåls Jan
2021-12-01 17:00 - 20:00 F249 Compassion at Work Nåls Jan
2021-12-09 15:00 - 20:00 D4106 Compassion at Work Nåls Jan
2021-12-10 17:00 - 20:00 C350 Compassion at Work Nåls Jan
2021-12-15 15:00 - 20:00 F249 Compassion at Work Nåls Jan

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