Social Work, Comparative Social Policy and Social Work Studies, 7.5 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

On completion of the course, the student is expected to:

• have knowledge of the basic features of social policy, human rights and social work,
• understand the link between societies' ideals concerning social relations, social policy and social work,
• understand and be able to apply basic components in comparative social policy, human rights and social work methods,
• have the skills to analyze social policy and human rights as an expression of society's social relations ideals and the consequences this may have for the organization and performance of social work in a comparative perspective.

Main content of the course

The basic area of interest is social policy as an expression of societies' perceptions of how social relations and social welfare are best organised and the role of social policy and social work in these processes. The main goal of the course is to develop the student's knowledge and understanding of social policy and social work in a variety of countries. The goal is also to develop the student's skills in recognising, analysing and comparing the relation between society's general social values, social policy and social work.

The topics that will be covered in this course are:

• the ideals behind a variety of welfare regimes in general,
• the ideals behind the Scandinavian welfare model in particular,
• the fundamental political context of social work in an international perspective,
• methods of comparative social policy and social work.

Teaching methods

Teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, group work, seminars, and the writing of an individual essay. The students who attend the course come from varying countries around the world and the teching methods are higly interactive. This provides an uniqe possibility for knowledge of social and socio-political conditions in a broad range of countries in an intense and creative atmosphere.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Examination, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
The course is examined through active participation in lectures and seminars, as well as an individual written essay and oral presentation.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

Attendance at lectures and seminars is mandatory. In the event of absence from a seminar the examiner decides whether the student will be given a substitute assignment or whether the student must fulfil the course component in question when the course is offered at a later date. The possibility of making up for absence with a substitute assignment is limited to occasional absence from seminars. In the event of repeated absence, the student will be required to complete the course when it is offered at a later date.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Examination
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E is required for all components on the course. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for each examination assignment, grades A-E, are first converted to the numerical values 5-1. An average value is then calculated, also taking into account the number of credits for each module in relation to the total number of credits for the course. The course grade is thus awarded by means of a weighted average of the examination assignments included on the course.

Specific entry requirements

30 ECTS credits and English B or equivalent.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The language is English.

The course concludes with an electronic course evaluation. (Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, 14§)

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Garrett, Paul Michael (2017)
Welfare Words: Critical Social Work & Social Policy.
Bristol, England: Policy Press. 288 pages, selected parts.

Ife, Jim (2016)
Human Rights and Social Work: Beyond Conservative Law.
Journal of Human Rights and Social Work, 1(1): 3-8.

Kamali, Masoud & Jönsson, Jessica H. (Eds). (2018)
Neoliberalism, Nordic Welfare States and Social Work: Current and Future Challenges.
London, England: Routledge. 272 pages, selected parts.

Kennett, Patricia (Ed.). (2013)
A Handbook of Comparative Social Policy, Second Edition.
Cheltenham, England: Edward Elgar Publishing Inc., 398 pages, selected parts.

Additional Reading

Esping Andersen, Gösta (1991)
The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism.
Cambridge: Polity Press.

Articles and official websites, 200 pages, will be added to the reading list in accordance with the teacher's recommendations.