Columbia University School of Social Work
T6925 International Social Welfare and Services to Immigrants and Refugees
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Overview and Rationale
Following the definition used in the Social Work Encyclopedia, international social welfare is defined here as the activities regarding social policies, programs, practices of governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations (voluntary agencies) operating cross-nationally, and national governments in their interactions with other governments. These activities include (but are not limited to) technical assistance, exchange of ideas, personnel, and information, cross-national research, as well as direct service provision. The latter includes immigration and refugee programs, programs in response to natural and man made disasters, programs in response to demographic and social changes including family planning and inter-country adoptions. Those carrying out these activities are not necessarily social workers, but social work is clearly relevant to the work.
This course will provide an introduction to the field of international social welfare. It will survey the field, highlight selected issues, and provide an introduction to social work practice in international agencies and organizations. |
Learning Outcomes
In this course, students will learn to . . .
- Describe and promote the role of social workers in the international social welfare field, including the major international social welfare trends, issues, and opportunities, and how social work fits into broader relief and development policies, programs, and practice.
- Describe the history and trends in international relief and development policy, and their implications for social work policy and practice.
- Identify the major international social welfare organizations and their activities.
- Identify and analyze current critical issues in international social work.
- Describe the development of indigenous and sustainable solutions to social welfare needs.
- Apply social work ethical principals in international social work practice, including those associated with the dangers of exporting the social welfare and social work solutions of most-developed nations and communities to least-developed nations and communities.
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Council on Social Work Education Core Competencies
This course contributes toward mastery of the following core areas of social work competency identified by the Council on Social Work Education.
Social workers . . .
- Identify as professional social workers and conduct themselves accordingly.
- Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
- Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
- Engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
- Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being, and to deliver effective social work services.
- Respond to contexts that shape practice.
- Engage individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
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Core Content Themes
- The Global Context: Globalization—demographic, social, economic, and political trends
- International Social Welfare Issues: Poverty and inequality; hunger; human rights; population growth and aging; gender inequality and child welfare; issues relating to health; international migration and refugees
- US Social Welfare Policies with regard to Immigrants: Welfare policies with regard to immigrants; immigrant health insurance and health; trends in immigrant use of means-tested programs; effect of welfare reform on immigrants
- The Organizational Context of Practice: International governmental and nongovernmental organizations: the World Bank, the IMF, the World Trade Organization; role of international agencies in complex emergencies; international social work practice and social development
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