Globalization, Poverty and International Social Work

The course is part of the international Master's Programme in Social Work and Human Rights. The course is an in-depth course.

The course can be included in the following programmes: 1) Master's Programme in Social Work and Human Rights (S2SWH) and 2) Master's Programme in Social Work (S2SOA and S2MSA)

A Bachelor's degree in Social Work or in related topics, proficiency in English.

The course covers the following topics:

• Different perspectives on globalization, global poverty, migration and international social work.
• The connections between globalization, climate change and national and international conflicts.
• The links between globalisation, migration and human rights.
• Different aspects and outcomes of global politics, interactions, exchanges, and power imbalances.
• The links between migration, health and social work.
• Critical reflections on globalization, contemporary solutions to global poverty and the promotion of human rights.

After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• identify and account for key concepts and perspectives related to globalization, migration, poverty and international social work.
• identify and account for conflicts and tensions that arise in pace with increased globalization and climate change.
• describe and discuss how globalization and international conflicts affect migration patterns and human rights in specific regions.
• describe and discuss strategies to combat poverty, deal with social problems and human rights violations in specific regions.

Skills and abilities

• apply theoretical perspectives on globalization and perspectives in social work to assess the effectiveness of social poverty reduction programs.
• apply theoretical perspectives on migration and human rights to analyse how different countries (countries of origin and destination) deal with international migration and the social tensions that arise in connection with it.
• develop strategies to address global social problems, with particular attention to poverty and migration, and promote human rights.

Judgement and approach

• reflect on different ethical approaches in international social work with vulnerable groups.
• reflect on power and dominance relations in international social work and different ways of relating to these in practical social work.

The course is mainly conducted through lectures and seminars.

Medium of instruction: English

Examination of the course takes place through six seminars and a final examination.

The seminars require compulsory attendance and active participation, which may include written assignments. 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 occasions, a replacement assignment is not sufficient. In this case, the student must participate in the equivalent session at a future course occasion.

Seminar participation is graded with either Pass (G) or Fail (U). The final examination assignment is assessed with the grades Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U). If the assignment receives the grade of Fail (U) but is assessed to be close to the threshold for the grade Pass (G), supplementation can be allowed. The supplemented assignment is assessed according to the grading scale Fail (U) – Pass (G). If the supplemented assignment is graded as Fail (U) or if it is not submitted within the specified time, the student will be referred to the next examination opportunity.

If a student who has failed twice on the same examination element wishes to change examiner for the next examination session, such request should be submitted in writing to the department and must be approved unless there are special reasons on the contrary (HF Chapter 6, 22§).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special pedagogical support, the examiner may, in case it is compatible with the intended course learning outcomes and provided that unreasonable resources are not required, decide to give the student an adapted examination 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 sessions (apart from the regular examination session) for a period of at least one year, however, no longer than two years after the course has ended/changed. With regard to internships and work-based education, the corresponding applies, but with a limitation to only one additional examination session.

If a student has been informed that they meet the requirements to be a student at the Swedish National Sports University (RIU student), the examiner has the right to decide on adaptations for the examination, provided this is done in accordance with Local regulations for RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The course gives one of the grades: Pass with distinction, Pass and Fail.

For the grade Pass, it is required that the intended learning outcomes are fulfilled and attendance and active participation in all compulsory parts of the course. For Pass with distinction, it is also required that the grade Pass with distinction is obtained on the final examination assignment.

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 a guide for further development of the course.