Social Work III, 30 Credits

Contents

Moment B

Alternativ 2. Fields of practice – the social worker’s professional role and tasks (International), 15 credits (ECTS)
Det sociala verksamhetsfältet - Socionomers arbetsuppgifter och professionsroller (Internationellt), 15 hp

International Field-based Studies recognizes the importance of preparing social work students to function and work in different cultural contexts and an increasingly globalized world. By exploring social problems and social work in an international context, students will learn to be sensitive to, and to value and respect diversity. This sub-course takes a practical orientation to studying broader contexts of social work based on the study placements in which students find themselves. Under supervision, students will actively participate in and observe social work practice, advocacy and social action practices from a global perspective.

The field‐based studies lasts a minimum of 5 weeks (maximum 7 weeks) and comprises halftime
work (i.e. 2.5 days per week and eight hours per working‐day). The student and field
supervisor will determine together the days and hours of work during these studies. Absence
due to other than report working, of more than one week must be reported to the responsible
course coordinator in order to determine how the lost time can be made up.

International Field-based Studies also contains written tasks in which students critically explore and problematize a subject of interest that is in some way connected to their place of field based studies. Written reflections are a further means for students to reflect critically on learning that has taken place – personally and professionally. Finally, this sub-course also includes lectures and seminars. Preparatory seminars provide a theoretical and methodological anchor to field based studies. Concluding seminars provide students the opportunity to share experiences from different contexts through presentations of written work and discussions concerning them. Students will have further opportunities to discuss similarities and differences in the meaning and practice of social work in different cultural contexts.

Expected learning outcomes

Moment B

Students who successfully complete this moment will be able to

- orient to practical social work with individuals, groups and communities based on the conditions, social and cultural contexts in which the field studies take place,
- reflect on ethical aspects involved in international field-based studies as well as within the social work profession, varied working conditions and practice contexts,
- reflect on the role of social workers in relation to age, class, gender, sexual and ethnic perspectives within contexts of social work practice,
- reflect upon on the significance of differences and similarities in people, cultures and worldviews as they impact social work practice.
- describe and problematize how this new knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of another culture has impacted one’s own views of the world and of the role of social work in it,
- carry out an overview (at least 1 page in length) of international sources of knowledge, identify and critically analyze a social phenomenon or social problem in an international context.

Required Knowledge

In order to begin the second academic year, the student must have completed the social sciences foundations in the social work program and must have successfully completed 45 credits (högskolepoäng).

Form of instruction

Moment B

International Field-based Studies is carried out as primarily but not exclusively as field based studies abroad. For one week prior to the study period abroad, students will participate in seminars and exercises to prepare them for an international learning opportunity and to support the integration of their learning and practice across cultures and settings. Focus will be on improving student’s understanding of reciprocal and mutual learning that takes place between and among cultures. Students will be abroad for a minimum of 5 weeks. The final two weeks take place in Sweden where students complete their individual essays, reflections and participate in seminars with other students.

Goal with the web-course
- Stimulate the students learning processes regarding development of their intercultural competences
- Stimulate “The internationalization at home”
- Prepare students to work with diversity
- Expand their repertory of skills by learning about the approaches, programmes and methods used in other cultures
- Stimulate the awareness of the ideologies, values, cultural groups. Patterns and processes in other countries
- To connect with the diversity of students, by working with other/new features in our didactics, ie. international aspects and the use of digital technology

Examination modes

Moment B

To successfully complete this course, students must
• Essay
Individually write an essay which articulates and analyzes knowledge gained from the exploration of a social issue in a particular social setting and which is tied to both formal, scientific and informal sources of knowledge.

• Final seminar
Participate in final seminar – presentation of individual essay and participation in an open discussion about knowledge gained from studying in a different social, political and cultural context.

• Reflection report
Individually write a reflection on professional and cultural knowledge the individual student has gained. The reflection will also include a discussion of the student’s personal and professional development

Certificate
Upon completion of the field based studies, the field supervisor will complete and sign a
certificate of completed field based studies under 5-7 weeks.

All of these elements form the basis for the grade the student receives. Grading will
only take place once all of the obligatory elements are complete.

All of these elements form the basis for the grade the student receives. Grading will
only take place once all of the obligatory elements are complete.

Alla ingående delar i momentet kan ligga till grund för examination. Alla examinationer i momentet ligger till grund för momentbetyget. Betyg på momentet sätts först när alla prov och alla obligatoriska delar är genomförda.

Studerande som godkänts i prov får inte undergå förnyat prov för att uppnå högre betyg.

För alla skriftliga inlämningsuppgifter gäller att studenten hanterar källor i enlighet med akademiskt vedertagna former.

Student som inte blivit godkänd vid ordinarie tentamensstillfälle har rätt till förnyat provtillfälle, s.k. omprov senast tre månader efter att tentamensresultaten anslagits, därefter i samband med ordinarie kurstillfälle. Student som ej deltagit i obligatoriskt och/eller examinerande grupparbete eller seminarium kan i vissa fall komplettera detta genom en individuell uppgift. I de fall detta inte är möjligt erbjuds studenten att delta i momentet vid nästa kurstillfälle. Student har rätt att byta examinator efter två icke godkända examinationer, om inte särskilda skäl talar emot det. Skriftlig begäran lämnas till studierektor senast två veckor före nästa examinationstillfälle.

Betyg på kursen (terminen) sätts först när alla prov och alla obligatoriska delar är godkända.

Advanced Course Credit (Tillgodoräknande)
Determined on an individual case-by-case basis.