Courses

Nancy Farwell
Office: 225B
206-616-2339
nfarwell@u.washington.edu

Course Description

International Social Work and Social Development provides an introduction to development perspectives, selected global social issues, and practice approaches primarily in developing countries. The impact of global interdependence and development frameworks on local problems and solutions is examined. Conceptual frameworks within which to analyze practice approaches in social work and in social development in varying global contexts are compared and contrasted. Creative, innovative approaches to social issues in a variety of contexts are discussed. The major part of the course focuses on global social issues in local context with particular attention to social work roles in social work and social development. Power dynamics in the context of helping, and the importance of critical consciousness within one's role as a practitioner and facilitator are examined.

Objectives

1. Articulate working definitions of international social work and social development that incorporate past and present conceptualizations of these terms, and provide some practical direction for the student's work in this area.
   
   
2. Examine and apply frameworks for the analysis of international aid and social development approaches in specific settings.
   
   
3. Demonstrate knowledge of local approaches to global issues.
   
   
4. Prepare for International Social Work and Development practice.
   
   
5. Understand how his or her personal, social, and cultural background affects his or her thinking about international social work and development practice.
   
   
6. Identify and analyze salient social, cultural, and political aspects of communities that may influence social work and social development.
   
   
7. Develop and present a detailed participatory plan indicating how he or she would propose to learn about knowledge, values, practices, and structures in a specific community.