Internationalisation and Social Work, 7.5 Credits

Contents

This course aims at critical exploration of current issues in social work in an international context. The course involves learning about global processes shaping social work practices as well as the nature of social issues. It explores various global (or cross-cultural) social work theories and discourses on social issues, vulnerability and social work interventions and critically scrutinizes the effects of cross-national theoretical and practical applications.

It includes learning about social work in global socio-political contexts, mapping the structures, cultures and ideologies behind the variety of ways of organising social work and its professional development. Ideologies such as individualism, collectivism, liberalism, are discussed as elements shaping social work. Various social work models are discussed and contextualized, like casework and community work. Other theoretical perspectives that can contribute to an ability to critically reflect on international social work practice include the globalization of social problems, social justice, oppression, social development, empowerment and anti-discriminatory practice. Challenges to social work education are considered as well. It also includes learning about common international standards as well as diversifications of social work and discusses if there are, or should be, universally applicable sets of values (reflected, or not, in the current ethics documents) for social work. Cultural relativity  and multicultural practice are reflected on in relation to social work.

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

Upon completing the course, the student shall have the knowledge and understanding:
1)    of the key factors that shape international social work as well as impact Swedish social work and welfare
2)    about different welfare regimes and the implications of these structures and ideologies for the practice of social work
3)    of the concept of social citizenship in relation to international policies and conventions governing human rights

Upon completing the course, the student shall have the competence and skills to:
4)    apply and explain how welfare state typologies (regimes) shape and organise social work

Upon completing the course students should be able to critically assess and describe approaches to:
5)    critically reflecting on consequences of  globalisation in relation to social work and vulnerable populations
6)    critically reflecting on cross national and cross cultural theories of  social work practice

Required Knowledge

For students in the social work program, the requirement is that you have received a passing grade in examinations, completed and registered program courses, totaling 150 credits (semester 1-3, 90 credits, semester 4-6, 60 credits) In addition, ongoing studies at semester 6 are required.

Form of instruction

It is a web-based course using an internet-based platform for communication and teaching.
The course consists of digitally distributed lectures, seminars, group work and individual studies. Emphasis is placed on combining theoretical perspectives with practical exercises in terms of understanding theory in relation to practical assignments. This is done through various exercises and group work presented at seminars. Seminars will be developed around topics arising from readings. The seminars are mandatory.

Internet-based teaching methods will be used during this course, which means that the student must have access to a computer with a web camera, a headset and high-speed internet access.

Examination modes

The course is examined through seminar presentations, participation in online discussion forums and an advanced level written assignment. The seminars are mandatory.

Students are required to conduct a library search of databases (Social Work Abstracts, PsychInfo, Medline etc.) that has to be connected to a specific issue that are related to a, by the student, chosen topic of interest.

There will be separate marks for seminar presentations, and written work. On seminars the grades are either fail or pass. On the written assignments the grades are either fail, pass or pass with distinction. To receive pass with distinction for the course, the final assignment must be graded pass with distinction and all seminars must have been attended.

The written assignments should be in accordance with academically accepted forms and must be of a good academic- and acceptable linguistic standard.

If the student has a certificate of special pedagogical support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adjusted form of examination.

A student who doesn´t fulfil the goals for an examination but is close to the cut off for a passing grade can, after a decision from the examining instructor be offered the opportunity to a completion of the exam in order to meet the criteria for a passing grade. The completion should be individually adapted based on the goals which were not met by the student and should take place within two weeks after the student receives their initial grade but prior to the next examination moment. It is only allowed to complete an exam from a failing to a passing grade, completions in order to achieve a higher grade are not allowed. If the student wishes, they have a right to do over the examination and thereby receive a higher grade than passing.