Social Work and Social Policy for a Sustainable Future, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

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

• have knowledge about different welfare and social policy models in relation to sustainable development,
• have knowledge about the role of social work within different social political contexts,
• have knowledge about and ability to apply critical perspectives on the role of social policy for sustainable development and solidarity social cohesion,
• have knowledge about different models of social work in relation to sustainable development,
• demonstrate ability to analyze and reflect upon global sustainable development goals in relation to social work as a global profession of and intervention for promoting human rights and social justice.
• demonstrate ability to search, evaluate, select and in a structured way present relevant knowledge, convey one's own and others' thoughts and, with the support of sources, be able to argue and draw conclusions,
• demonstrate ability to formulate texts with good structure, where content and argumentation are comprehensible, logical, objectively grounded and follow writing rules, and
• demonstrate ability to communicate and discuss the content and terminology of the course in English in both text and speech.

Content

The focus of the course is on social policy and the organisation of social work in different
countries and welfare contexts in relation to sustainable development. The course provides knowledge about diverse social political organisations in different countries. Political and ideological backgrounds to the development of social policy resulted from different modernisation projects and state-buildings will be discussed during the course. The course provides knowledge about the role of social policy and social work in promoting social justice and a sustainable and cohesive society, including knowledge about social political contexts of social work in different countries and regions and their various functions in relation to the public and civil spheres. Based on the commitment that social work is a profession and activity for social justice, the course discusses social work's role in promoting sustainable development with focus on equal living conditions of people irrespective of their nationality, class, gender, ethnicity and other discriminatory categorisations.

Examinations and grades

Social Work and Social Policy for a Sustainable Future I, 3 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Social Work and Social Policy for a Sustainable Future II, 4.5 credits (Code: A004)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

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 determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

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

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

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course, a minimum of grade G is required for Social Work and Social Policy for a Sustainable Future I, and at least an E is required for Social Work and Social Policy for a Sustainable Future II. The grade for Social Work and Social Policy for a Sustainable Future II (written assignment) determines if the course grade is higher than E. The course grade is thus awarded based on the written assignment, if the other assignments have been completed with a passing grade.

Modes of assessment

Social Work and Social Policy for a Sustainable Future I, 3 credits (Code: A003)
Oral examinations and written assignments.

Social Work and Social Policy for a Sustainable Future II, 4.5 credits (Code: A004)
Written assignment and oral examination.

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

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

30 ECTS credits and English B or equivalent.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The language of lectures, seminars and examination is in English.

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.

Reading list and other learning resources

Dominelli, Lena (2010)
Social Work in a Globalizing World.
Cambridge: Polity Press. 224 pages, selected parts

Esping Andersen, Gösta (1991)
The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism.
Cambridge: Polity Press. 260 pages, selected parts

Healy, Lynne. M. (2017)
Situating social work within the post-2015 Global Agenda.
European Journal of Social Work: Glocal Social Work, 20(1), 5-16

Jönsson, Jessica. H. (2019)
Overfishing, social problems, and ecosocial sustainability in Senegalese fishing communities.
Journal of Community Practice: Ecosocial Work and Social Change in Community Practice, 27(3-4), 213-230

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

Peeters, Jef. (2012)
The place of social work in sustainable development: Towards ecosocial practice.
International Journal of Social Welfare, 21(3), 287-298

Powers, Meredith.C.F., Rambaree, Komalsingh. and Peeters, Jef. (2019)
Degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice.
Critical and Radical Social Work, 7 (3), 417–433

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