UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA - RENO SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK BSW PROGRAM

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1 UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA - RENO SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK BSW PROGRAM Course Title and Number: Instructor: SW 351: The Global Context of Social Work Goutham Menon Contact Information: [email protected]; Office Hours TBA Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites SW 250 Course Description This course examines the historical, political and cultural contexts of contemporary global social issues and the mutually reinforcing relationship between the local and global. The course will critically examine the economic, political, social and cultural dimensions of globalization and the upheavals they produce for nations and people. Specific models of intervention and select approaches to social development, seen as more compatible with social work s commitment to social justice will also be examined to determine their respective strengths and weaknesses in response to some of these contemporary social issues. In addition, the course will also raise critical questions about social work s past and present ability to address the growing challenges of an increasingly complex, integrated and interdependent world. Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course students will be able to: 1. Articulate the meaning and impact of globalization, colonization and imperialism on the well-being, rights and relations of nations, communities, and individuals; 2. Critically analyze the global/local dimensions of social welfare; 3. Identify contemporary international issues and their implications for social work practice, policies, and programs; 4. Adapt and apply international approaches to social development to address local problems, needs and injustices; 5. Critically evaluate the ways cultural contexts shape ethical decision making within local/global levels; 6. Differentially apply theories of justice in the analysis of the global interconnectedness of oppression and in the formulation of strategies that promote human and civil rights. Instructional Methods The teaching and learning for this course is a shared responsibility between the student and classroom faculty. Teaching methods will be a combination of lectures, films, guest presentations, weekly readings, framed discussions, assignments, and student 1

2 participation. Course Policies Class Attendance and Participation: As much of the learning in this class is dependent upon class member contributions, you will be expected to come prepared and ready to actively participate in every class meeting. Active participation will include: involvement in class activities and discussions, timeliness to class, and collegial conduct. Students who miss 2 class sessions will lose 10 points. Students who miss 3 class sessions will lose 15 points. Those students who miss 4 or more class sessions will receive a grade of F for the course. Disabilities: Students who have documented disabilities that may affect their learning or performance in this class should contact the UNR Disability Services Office (Thompson Student Services Building, room 101). The instructor will make all those accommodations that are requested in writing by the aforementioned office. Academic Success Services: Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center ( or Tutoring Center ( or and University Writing Center ( or These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student. Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses" constitute academic dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and penalties can include canceling a student's enrollment without a grade, giving an F for the course or for the assignment. For more details, see the UNR General Catalog. Audio and Video Recordings: To protect the privacy of other class members, students may not record class lectures or labs without consent from the Instructor. Consent will only be given to those students who request accommodations for a disability and show evidence of the need for said accommodation from the DRC. Course Requirements Readings Healy, L. M., & Link, R. J. (2012). Handbook of International Social Work: Human Rights, Development and the Global Profession. New York: Oxford University Press. Assignments 1. Weekly Webcampus Posting (20 points) 2

3 Every Monday by 11:59 PM during the semester, you are to critique the week s readings on the discussion board at Webcampus. This will include the specific chapters and sometimes articles posted on Webcampus specific to the day. Each critique should be a minimum of 600 words (Approximately 2 single spaced page). It should cover all the readings for the week. You then have to respond to two of your classmates postings (Minimum of 300 words each) by Wednesday 11:59 PM. I do not want you to summarize the articles/book chapters that you read, but to reflect and provide your insight on the readings. Your postings should demonstrate critical thinking. Some questions you might want to consider are: Do you agree/disagree with the author? Why? Is this an important topic for Social Work? Is there a different way to examine these issues? Have you seen similar issues in the United States/Nevada/Reno? These are just sample questions to ask yourself while reading the articles. Feel free to add additional questions/comments to your critique. You need to provide a rationale for your critique. 2. Classroom Participation (10 points) You are to come prepared to discuss the readings/videos in class. You will lose points if you do not participate. 3. Analysis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (20 points) Goal: To gain familiarity with this historic document, which is an internationally recognized statement on Human Rights. Due Date: February 28, Content: Please read carefully the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nation General Assembly (accessible at: The declaration starts with a preamble explaining its basic philosophy and is followed by a series of specific sections called Articles, which enumerate the various agreed upon rights. For the purposes of this assignment, please do the following: Pick one Article from the UDHR that is of interest to you. Write a one-paragraph Abstract of your selected article (Translate the UDHR language into something that is clear to an average reader. For example, what is its primary focus? How do you make sense of any sub-sections? What is the core right being described?) Attach to the abstract, a 6 to 8-page, double-spaced Analysis of how well (or not) the United States is currently meeting the objectives in the Article. (Your references are not included in the page limit). This is not an opinion-based essay but rather should be based on careful research that may include information on policy, programs, and/or services in the U.S. as well as data on the size and scope of the issue (if applicable). You are to compare and contrast progress in the U.S. with that in other countries. You can find reports of various countries at Grading: Your papers will be graded on the quality of the research, the sophistication of the analysis, and the clarity of your written presentation. There is no correct answer. 3

4 How thoughtfully you have crafted your argument is more important than the position you take. 4. Social Issue by Country Paper (30 points) You will be responsible for investigating a social issue in a country considered to be part of the Global South. The nations of Africa, Central and Latin America, and most of Asia collectively known as the Global South - face great challenges and offer real opportunities. Political, social, and economic upheaval are prevalent in many of these nations; at the same time, the populations of the global South and their emerging markets offer immense hopes for economic growth, investment, and cultural contribution. The global South includes nearly 157 of a total of 184 recognized states in the world, and many have less developed or severely limited resources. Unfortunately, the people of these nations also bear the brunt of some of the greatest challenges facing the international community in the next millennium: poverty, environmental degradation, human and civil rights abuses, ethnic and regional conflicts, mass displacements of refugees, hunger, and disease. In groups of no more than 5 students divided among international social issues/topic areas (e.g., child labor, human trafficking, street children, HIV/AIDS, globalization, sweatshops, micro enterprises, poverty, refugees/immigration,etc.), each student will select one country in which this social issue is manifested. Be certain to focus on one issue in one country. Each student in the group will turn in a page paper. Your paper must be properly cited in APA 6Th edition format. A minimum of 15 scholarly sources must be used. Do not cite your text as it is a secondary source. Only 5 of these sources can be Internet based. No usage of Wikipedia. There should be a thorough understanding of the issue. The paper must detail the following at a minimum. Also include any other information about the issue and culture necessary to understanding the issue about which you are writing. When discussing your issue, be sure to include: How did the issue you have chosen develop in this country/culture? Provide a demographic profile of the country: population, type of government, race, ethnicity, tribes, power groups, etc,. Why did it develop in this way? How & why did it spread? How did culture affect this? How do the different systems that comprise culture respond to this issue? (e.g., religion, tribe, ethnicity, gender roles) What are government policies in response to it? What is the international response to this issue (if any) What cultural issues must be considering when developing interventions? What is the impact of this problem on people? How does it impede their development? "Why do we care?" 4

5 This paper is designed to prepare students to have a differential worldview of social issues and problems from a global perspective. 5. Social Issue Presentation (20 points) Prepare a group presentation which incorporates all of the individual country-level case studies for your group s topic area. Each student will take a maximum of 10 minutes to present. As a group, compile an anthology of important information and materials to distribute to your classmates across the countries you have selected for your topic area. Grading Grades will be based on the following point system: =A+; 94-97=A; 90-93=A-; 88-89=B+; 84-87=B; 80-83=B-; 78-79=C+; 74-77=C; 70-73=C-; 68-69=D+; 64-67=D; 63-60=D; Below 60 = F. Note that you must receive a grade of C or repeat the course. Because you are expected to maintain a 3.0 to remain in good standing as a graduate student and to be certified for graduation, any Cs received in graduate level courses must be off-set by As % = A = Significantly exceeds assignment/performance expectations (evidence of critical analysis, application, and integration that goes beyond description of course readings) % = B = Assignments and overall performance meet all requirement criteria with evidence of organization, clarity and coherence of ideas, but lacks consistent evidence of analysis, application, and integration of learning % = C = Average. Assignments and performance barely meet requirement expectations, and are lacking in critical analysis, application, integration, organization, clarity, and coherence % = D; Below 60% = F. There are important major gaps in meeting course and assignment criteria. 5

6 Course Calendar Week Topic Readings/Assignments Week 1 Introduction to the course Week 2 Defining International Social Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Work, Globalization and Development Human Rights and Their Relevance for Social Work as Theory and Practice Social Exclusion and Inclusion Social Justice Week 3 Overview of Human Rights: The Chapters 66, 67,68, 69, 70 UN Conventions and Machinery Women and the Human Rights Framework Children s Rights Human Rights of People With Disabilities Human Rights and Sexual Orientation Week 4 Claiming Women s Places in the Chapters 8, 9, 13, 14, 16 World: Social Workers Roles in Eradicating Gender Inequalities Globally International Social Service: Addressing the Need for Intercountry Casework Social Development and Social Work Representing Social Work at the United Nations and Other International Bodies Week 5 Work With Immigrants and Chapters 10,11,12,15,17,18 Refugees International Adoption Trauma Counseling Disaster Relief and Management: Readiness, Response, and Recovery Cultural Efficacy in Communication and Practice in Global Context Cultural Conflict and Conflict Resolution Week 6 Child Abuse and Neglect Chapters 20,21,22,23 6

7 Child Labor and Work Child Soldiers Children in and of the Street Week 7 Global Aging Chapters 19,24,25,26 Community Violence Drugs: Addictions and Trafficking Employment, Unemployment, and Decent Work Week 8 Environmental Degradation and Chapters 27,28,29,30, 31 Preservation Ethnic Conflicts HIV/AIDS: The Global Pandemic Human Trafficking Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Survival Week 9 Spring Break Week 10 Global Mental Health Chapters 32,33,34,35, 36 Migration and Refugees Poverty and Human Needs Racism and Antiracist Strategies Week 11 SARS: A Case of a Global Health Chapters 37,38,39,40, 41 Threat Veterans, Soldiers, and Military Families Week 12 Global Ethical Principles and Dilemmas Chapters 46, Models of Internationalizing Curriculum International Field Placements Models of International Exchange Using Technology for International Education and Research Comparative Cross-National Research (World Census) Social Work in Africa Social Work in Asia Social Work in Australia and New Zealand Social Work in the Caribbean Social Work in Europe Social Work in Latin America Social Work in North America 7

8 Week 13 International Social Development Chapters 62, 63,64, 65 Projects Measuring Social Well-Being Microcredit: A Development Strategy for Poverty Reduction Variations and Issues of Survival of European Welfare State Models in the Twenty-First Century Week 14 Presentations Week 15 Presentations Social Issue by Country Paper Due Final Exam End of Year Meeting Mandatory 8