Social work and multicultural groups
| Structure Type: | Course |
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| Code: | KF08CWE0700 |
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| Type: | Elective |
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| Level: | Bachelor |
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| Credits: | 3.0 points |
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| Responsible Teacher: | Järvi, Helena |
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| Language of Instruction: | English |
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Course Implementations, Planned Year of Study and Semester
| Curriculum | Semester | Credits | Start of Semester | End of Semester |
| SOSALA-2013 |
3 autumn |
3.0 |
2015-08-01 |
2015-12-31 |
| SOSALA-2014 |
3 autumn |
3.0 |
2016-08-01 |
2016-12-31 |
Learning Outcomes
The students are able to analyze, by using theoretical concepts, the impact of different cultural backgrounds and minority or majority positions on communication between people. The students have a command of the main features of the legislation and service systems for foreigners and ethnic minorities that exist in Finland / their own country. The students are able to recognize factors influencing the position of immigrants and ethnic minorities in Finland /their own country, and suggest measures and methods to improve their position and prevent exclusion and racism. In case examples concerning cultural conflicts, the students are committed to search for perspectives and solutions that are based on the values of social work. The students are able to identify their own cultural and ethnic identity, communication style and attitudes towards ethnic diversity. The students are able to assess the impact of these factors in their interaction. The students are able to produce their own personal goals for developing their intercultural competence.
Student's Workload
Approximately 78 hours of work for the student
- of which 36 hours for classroom activities,
- 15 hours for a reflective essay
- 27 hours for pair and group tasks
Prerequisites / Recommended Optional Courses
The student must speak and write understandable English.
Contents
- Cultural differences from the perspective of social work
- Acculturation, integration, multiculturalism, ethnic and cultural identity, stereotyping, racism and exclusion
– Ethnic minorities in Finland /other countries, different types of immigration
- The position, legislation and service system for immigrants and ethnic minorities in Finland /other countries
- Encountering cultural and ethnic diversity, communication and cultural differences, intercultural competence in social work, acting against racism and exclusion
Recommended or Required Reading
- Samovar, L. & Porter, R. 2003: intercultural communication. A Reader. (p 4-42, 341-412).
Availability: http://tiny.cc/gmtddx
- Other material given by the teacher.
Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Lectures and exercises, individual reflections, pair and group tasks, participating in the international events of the degree programme.
Assessment Criteria
Grading on a scale 1-5.
Grade 1-2:
Together with another student, students are able to prepare a presentation on thematics of the study course. Students are able to apply to their description some perspective on cultural diversity learnt during the course. Students know the main features of the services offered to immigrants and ethnic minorities in Finland. Students participate in classroom activities and complete a self and peer evaluation of the pair work assignments. They are able to produce a new perspective or solution based on social work values to deal with cultural conflicts in a case study. Students can name some form of ethnic discrimination or racism in Finnish society. They know how to describe the contents and development of their cultural identity, using a theoretical approach learnt during the course. Students are able to critically analyse one area of their cultural competence and to point out some factor that has affected their attitudes, values or skills. Based on this description, students are able to define a personal objective in order to develop their competence.
Grade 3-4:
In addition to the requirements above: Students form and justify a personal conception of one of the course topics. They know how to describe the service provision system for immigrants and ethnic minorities in Finland. They analyse the effect the actors' cultural background has on problematic multi-cultural situations in social work and propose alternative solutions. Students are able to describe their cultural identity and the development of their intercultural development, mostly using the concepts studied accurately. They describe forms of ethnic discrimination and racism from multiple perspectives and produce ideas to fight racism. Students have realistic, justified objectives for the develoment of their competence.
Grade 5:
In addition to the requirements above: Students evaluate Finnish immigration and minority policy and the function of the service provision. They provide examples of problematic multicultural situations in social work and evaluate the effect of various factors on these situations. They analyse forms of ethnic discrimination and racism, linking them to social background factors. Students propose practicable ideas to fight racism. They analyse factors that have affected their cultural competence and make extensive use of theoretical knowledge to develop their competence.
Assessment Methods
The assessment will be based on pair work (50%) and on a reflective essay and participation in classroom activities (50%)
Further Information
The students of the Degree programme in social work can choose this course instead of the study course "Sosiaalityö ja monikulttuuriset ryhmät", offered in Finnish.
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