Social Work, Service Users Participation and Organization

This course is part of the international Master's Programme Social Work and Human Rights. It is an advanced course.

The course may be included in the following programme: 1) Master's Programme in Social Work and Human Rights (S2SWH).

Main field of study: Social Work

Specialization: A1N, Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

To be eligible for the course a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, or in related topics, and proficiency in English are required.

The course addresses human service organizations and the role of civil society as a provider of social work services. The focus is on theories of power, user participation and empowerment, as well as social economy and the third sector.

After completing the course, the student is expected to: 


Knowledge and understanding

• Explain how human service organizations are structured and operate, including aspects such as leadership, communication, division of labour, and organizational cultures
• Describe the role of civil society as a provider of public services and its impact on social work
• Account for theories of power and explain how power relations affect social work, methods of practice, and user participation
• Identify and explain different forms of user influence and participation in social work, and relate these to human rights and social justice
• Describe the role of the social economy in different countries and its significance for social work and user participation

Competence and skills

• Analyze and discuss how organizational aspects influence different types of social problems and social interventions
• Analyze and explain how power imbalances are inherent in various forms of social work
• Analyze different types of social initiatives, including user-led initiatives and those initiated by social workers and civil society, such as self-help organizations, social cooperatives, and other forms of collective engagement promoting social justice and human rights

Judgement and approach

• Evaluate the role of civil society as a voice and provider of public services, as well as the impact of power relations in social work
• Reflect on and assess how one’s own attitudes and approaches affect social work practices and different forms of user initiatives

The course consists of lectures and seminars. In addition, students will, either individually or in pairs, write a case study report on a topic related to the course content. Throughout the course, students will combine theoretical studies with material collection for the report, for example by interviewing professionals and service users as well as analyzing documents. They will also draft different parts of the case study report. These drafts will be discussed, developed, and presented both orally in class and in writing.

Language of instruction: English

The learning outcomes are assessed through six seminars and a case study report.

Attendance and active participation are mandatory for all six seminars, which may include written submissions. In the event of absence or insufficient participation, a replacement assignment must be submitted. In the event of absence or insufficient participation on more than two mandatory sessions, a replacement assignment is not sufficient. In this case, the student must participate in the equivalent session at a future course occasion.

Seminars are assessed with the grades Pass (G) or Fail (U). The case study report is graded Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G), or Fail (U). If the report is graded as Fail (U) but is assessed to be close to meeting the requirements for the grade Pass, a resubmission must be allowed.

If a student who has failed twice on the same examination component wishes to change examiner before the next examination, such a request must be submitted in writing to the department and must be granted unless there are special reasons not to do so (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 22).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special study support, the examiner may, in the event that this is consistent with the objectives of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, decide to give the student an adapted or alternative form of examination.

In the event that a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be guaranteed at least two examination opportunities (including the regular examination) for a period of at least one year, but no more than two years after the course has ended/changed. The same applies for practical training or field-based education, but with a limitation of only one additional examination opportunity.

The following grades are awarded for the course: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G), and Fail (U).

For the grade Pass (G), it is required that the intended learning outcomes are fulfilled and that the student actively participate in all mandatory parts of the course. For Pass with Distinction (VG), it is also required that the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) is obtained on the case study report.

Course evaluation takes place through an oral mid-course evaluation and a written evaluation at the end of the course. The evaluation results are communicated to the students and serve as guidance for further development of the course.