Course syllabus - International and Transnational Social Work

Objectives

The objective of the course is for students to acquire enhanced knowledge of international and transnational social work, so as to gain a deeper understanding of the cross-boundary global and local contexts of social work. A further objective is to study social development and help work as a specific aspect of international social work.
 

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
 
(knowledge and understanding)
1 define and describe international social work
2 give proof of their knowledge of global contexts affecting social work
3 give an account of different international conventions and cooperation organizations in the realm of social work
4 describe and understand community work as an aspect of international social work
 
(competence and skills)
5 explain how social mobility and social exposure outside of national boundaries affects social work within national boundaries
6 reflect upon how social work deals with transnational individuals and families
7 analyze and discuss humanitarian help work and social development work
 
(judgement and approach)
8 assess, evaluate and reflect critically upon methodological and ethical problems in contexts of international and transnational social work where the social worker’s professional identity is challenged
9 show an awareness of the social worker’s shifting roles in international comparative perspectives
 

Course content

-   definitions and concrete contexts of international and transnational social work
-   the social services’ interaction with transnational families
-   human rights and international conventions
-   conflicts, war and political and/or religious lack of freedom
-   catastrophes and people’s experiences of loss
-   examples of international and transnational projects in social work
-   the social worker in cooperation with other actors – formal as well as volunteer organizations – regarding different kinds of societal work and in international contexts
-   ethical dilemmas, e.g. in contexts where social workers are challenged in their national professional identity
 

Tuition

Teaching and learning take place in the form of interactive lectures, seminars and group exercises/work, as well as a field study. Through these different forms of learning, students are expected to train active searches for knowledge, critical reflection and enhanced discussion skills. Another aim of the teaching and learning methods is to promote a good climate for cooperation where the individual’s as well as the group’s responsibilities are respected.
 

Specific requirements

105 credits in Social Work or the equivalent. In addition, Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English A/English 6 are required. In cases when the course is offered in English, the requirement for Swedish B/Swedish 3 is excluded.

Examination

GRU1, Group assignment, 0.5 credit: participation in a reflection group; learning objectives 8-9; grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
INL1, Hand-in assignment, 1.5 credits: individual written hand-in assignment; learning objectives 1-2, 5-6, 8; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
INL2, Hand-in assignment, 1.5 credits: written and spoken group assignment; learning objectives 6-9; grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
INL3, Hand-in assignment, 3 credits: individual written hand-in assignment; learning objectives 1-9; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
SEM1, Seminar, 1 credit: spoken group assignment based on field trip; learning objectives 1-2, 5-6, 8; grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
 
For a VG on the course as a whole, a VG is required on INL1 and INL3, as well as a G on GRU1, INL2 and SEM1. For further 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