Course syllabus - Multicultural Social Work

Objectives

The objective of the course is for students to acquire more in-depth knowledge of multicultural society, intercultural encounters and the process of integration. Students are further expected to acquire knowledge of critical and intersectional perspectives on social work.
 

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

With regard to knowledge and understanding
1. discuss, on the basis of relevant research, the concept of multiculturalism and what challenges there are for social work in a multicultural society
2. give evidence of in-depth knowledge regarding the concepts of migration, refugeehood, ethnic identity, cultural competence, alienation and participation, and analyze how conditions on the individual, group and societal levels impact on the process of integration

With regard to skills and abilities
3. analyze and discuss, from an intersectional perspective, the role of categorizations in terms of gender, class, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation and disabilities when it comes to inclusion and exclusion
4. analyze multicultural society and intercultural encounters from a critical perspective
5. analyze and discuss the usefulness of a culturally conditioned perspective and an anti-discrimination perspective for social work with people having a foreign background
6. analyze what an intersectional perspective means for the definition of social problems and needs, as well as the planning of interventions in social work

With regard to judgement and approach
7. compare and assess different perspectives on multicultural societies and their implications for different professions in social work

Course content

Multiculturalism and multicultural society
Relevant research about the process of integration
Challenges for social work in a multicultural society
Intercultural encounters
Migration, refugeehood, ethnic identity, cultural competence, alienation and participation
A culturally conditioned perspective on social work
Critical, intersectional, and anti-discrimination perspectives on social work

Tuition

Teaching and learning take place in the form of lectures, group work, seminars and in-depth discussions. The aim of the teaching methods is for students to train independent and active knowledge searches, cooperation, discussion, argumentation and critical reflection, both individually and in groups.

Specific requirements

A completed bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to 180 credits in one of the following subject areas: Public Health Science, Caring Science with Specialisation in Nursing, Nursing science, Medical Science, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or the equivalent. In addition Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English B/English 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish B/Swedish 3.

Examination

SEM1, Seminar, 1.5 credits, written and oral presentations, given individually and in groups: multicultural society and an intersectional perspective; learning outcomes 1 and 4; grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
SEM2, Seminar, 1.5 credits, written and oral presentations, given individually and in groups: the process of integration, inclusion and exclusion; learning outcomes 2 and 3; grades Fail (U) or Pass (G). 
INL1, home exam, 4.5 credits, individual written home exam: critical, intersectional social work; learning outcomes 1-7; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

For the grade Pass with distinction on the course as a whole, this grade is required for INL1. For more information, see the study guidelines.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

Replaces SAA036.