Global Perspectives in Social Work

Responsible university: University of Eastern Finland. Code of the course: 5513526 

Important Dates  
Course commences week of September 30th and closes on Friday 29th November 2024. Registration cut of period  23rd September. Online webinar Tutorials  9:00 to 10:00, Wednesdays. Non UEF students are registered through Sosnet. Online Tutorial Dates: 2nd October 9th (mandatory introductory webinar)    October, 16th (18th October, first assignment due ), October, 23rd October, 30th October, 6th November (final assessment due 13th November) 
Level 
Advanced Studies  
 
Person in charge 
Janet Carter Anand  

Subject 
Social Work  
 
Evaluation scale 
H-5 
 
Learning outcomes 
The course is part of the studies in English offered to students across Sosnet universities, including UEF. On completion of the course students will gain: knowledge of the theoretical concepts essential for the analysis of the local global context of social work practice; a critical understanding of a shared profession and the structures and standards of international social work; knowledge of sustainable development goals and opportunities for Eco-social work; knowledge of human rights, inequality, and power relations as the basis of structural social work; understanding of mass migration and superdiversity and the implications of critical multicultural practice and social policy: recognition of indigenous realities and the need for the decolonisation of social work practice, education, and research; and knowledge of conducting comparative research and the implications for theory, policy, and practice. 

Content 
The course encourages students to explore theoretical influences and frameworks for promoting global mindedness. Themes include local global paradigm shifts in social work theory, historical context and debates of a shared profession, indigenous social work and decolonizing of practice, sustainable development and eco-social work, human rights and anti-oppressive practice, migration, diversity and critical multicultural practice and the future of practice-based and comparative social work research. 

Teaching methods 
Teaching is both synchronous and asynchronous. Students can work through the course at their own pace but are invited to participate in weekly online digital activities (1hr x7 weeks) including a monitory introductory course webinar (2hrs) and comparative online seminar (2hrs). 

Study methods and evaluation criteria 
This course is available online for Sosnet and UEF students. UEF students must register through Peppi and other students through Sosnet. Students can assess the course content and materials through Digicampus.fi prior to registration using the password – `GPSW´. The course constitutes 135 hours of study for 5 credit points. Weekly online tutorials are offered to all students. Recommended recorded lectures and at least 2 readings are set weekly. Mandatory seminars are indicated.  
Evaluation criteria: Students are evaluated on a completed weekly discussion forum exercise (20% of To- tal marks), an individual essay (40%) and a groupwork comparative analysis project (40% of total marks). UEF marking criteria, 0 (Fail) - 5 (Excellent), will be used to assess students.  
 
Further information 
Designed for students who study social work as a major at a Master and PhD level. 

Teaching methods 
Self-directed learning involving pre-recorded short lectures, including key readings and discussion forum, together with optional  interactive online tutorials for additional student interaction and guidance. 

Weekly readings 
Web links to weekly key readings are provide to students.  

Recommended Texts  
Anand, J.C., Das, C., (2019). Global mindedness in international social work practice. London. Palgrave Macmillan.  Harrikari, T., & Rauhala, P-L. (2018). Towards glocal work in the era of compressed modernity. Routledge.  

Prerequisites 

Undertaking a social work major or associated social science major would assist in understanding the perspectives and social work methods covered. 

Time and location 
Pre-recorded online series of lectures over 7 weeks available to student for the duration of the course. Autumn semester annually   

 Sosnet Enquiries: Mari Suonio,mari.suonio(a)uef.fi