SHZ 323 - International Social Work

This course aims to enable students to understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and approaches of international social work and to evaluate social work practice from global, regional, and cross-cultural perspectives. The course aims to develop students’ ability to assess the professional and ethical dimensions of international social work within the framework of human rights, social justice, equality, cultural diversity, and cultural competence.

The course also aims to examine, from a social work perspective, the effects of transnational social challenges—including globalization, poverty and social inequalities, migration and refugee issues, forced displacement, the climate crisis and disasters, armed conflicts, digitalization, and emerging social risks—on individuals, families, communities, and societies. In this context, the roles of actors such as the United Nations, UNHCR, IFSW, IASSW, and international non-governmental organizations in addressing global social challenges, as well as mechanisms of international cooperation and solidarity, are examined.

The course further aims to provide a comparative assessment of social work practices and welfare models in different countries, with particular emphasis on examples from Western European countries and their comparison with social work practices in Türkiye. Accordingly, students are expected to develop the ability to establish connections between local and global social work practices, strengthen their cross-cultural communication and professional assessment skills, and critically analyze international social problems from a human rights and social justice perspective while developing solution-oriented approaches.

This course addresses the conceptual and theoretical foundations of international social work within the framework of human rights, social justice, equality, and cultural diversity. Based on an eco-systems perspective, international social work practice is examined at the micro (individual), mezzo (family and group), and macro (community, organizations, and social policy) levels. The professional roles and responsibilities of social workers in direct practice, advocacy, social policy, international cooperation, and organizational activities are also explored.

The course covers the impact of globalization on social work, global poverty and social inequalities, welfare states and welfare models, cultural competence and professional ethics, migration, refugees and international protection, forced displacement, the climate crisis and disasters, armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, as well as digitalization and technological transformation in social work. The roles of the United Nations, UNHCR, IFSW, IASSW, and international non-governmental organizations in addressing global social challenges and mechanisms of international cooperation are also examined.

In addition, social work and welfare practices in different countries, particularly in Western European countries, are comparatively assessed in relation to practices in Türkiye, and the connections between local and global social work practices are discussed. Through current global developments and case examples, the course enables students to analyze international social problems from a human rights and social justice perspective and to evaluate the professional role of social work in responding to these challenges.

• Cox, D., & Pawar, M. (2013). International social work: Issues, strategies, and programs (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.

• Erath, P., & Littlechild, B. (Eds.). (2016). Avrupa’da sosyal çalışma: 16 ülke örneği. SABEV Yayınları.

• Gedik, M. (2020). Sosyal hizmetlerde hak temelli yaklaşım. Çekmece İZÜ Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 8(16), 28–57.

• Gedik, M. (2021). AHSEN-Sosyal Hizmet Modeli: İslâmî sosyal hizmet yaklaşımı. Efe Akademi Yayınları.

• Gedik, M. (2023). Disiplinlerarası sosyal hizmet: Holistik perspektif. Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.

• Gencer, T. E., & Cılga, İ. (2017). Sosyal hizmeti yeniden düşünmek: Sosyal çalışmalar üzerine eleştirel tartışmalar. Nika Yayınevi.

• Healy, L. M., & Thomas, R. L. (2021). International social work: Professional action in an interdependent world (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

• Healy, L. M., & Link, R. J. (Eds.). (2012). Handbook of international social work: Human rights, development, and the global profession. Oxford University Press.

• International Federation of Social Workers. (2024). Social work as a global profession: International definition and ethical principles. IFSW.

• Lyons, K., Manion, K., & Carlsen, M. (2006). International perspectives on social work: Global conditions and local practice. Palgrave Macmillan.

• Mapp, S. C. (2014). Human rights and social justice in a global perspective: An introduction to international social work (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

• Payne, M. (2020). Modern social work theory (5th ed.). Bloomsbury Academic.

• Purutçuoğlu, E., & Aydın, E. Dünyada sosyal hizmet uygulamaları. İstanbul Üniversitesi Açık ve Uzaktan Eğitim Fakültesi.

• Thompson, N. (2016). Kuram ve uygulamada sosyal hizmeti anlamak (3. bs.; B. Yıldırım, Çev.). Dipnot Yayınları.

• United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations.

• Akimoto, T. (2024). Re-examining international social work theory: “Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?” Discover Global Society, 2. DOI: 10.1007/s44282-024-00058-4

• Bertotti, T., & Fargion, S. (2023). International social work research: Transfer of knowledge or promotion of dialogue beyond borders? European Social Work Research, 1(1), 21–35. DOI: 10.1332/JZLT8735

• Dominelli, L. (2012). Green social work: From environmental crises to environmental justice. Polity Press.

• Dominelli, L. (2018). The Routledge handbook of green social work. Routledge.

• Gray, M., Coates, J., & Yellow Bird, M. (Eds.). (2010). Indigenous social work around the world: Towards culturally relevant education and practice. Routledge.

• Midgley, J. (2014). Social development: Theory and practice. SAGE Publications.

• Reamer, F. G. (2018). Social work values and ethics (5th ed.). Columbia University Press.

• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2024). Global trends: Forced displacement in 2023. UNHCR.

• United Nations Children’s Fund. (2024). The State of the World’s Children 2024. UNICEF.

• United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Human Development Report 2023/2024: Breaking the gridlock—Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world. UNDP.

The “SHZ 323 / International Social Work” course will be conducted through theoretical instruction as well as practical activities and assignments. Between Weeks 9 and 14, students will undertake individual and/or group work based on assignment topics determined within the scope of the course, and the relevant course sessions will be structured around these themes. Assignment topics will be shared with students during the first-week course session, and group allocations will be determined accordingly.

The “Preliminary Preparation” topics specified in the weekly course plan require students to review the relevant literature and examine current international social work documents, including materials published by the United Nations (UN), UNHCR, UNICEF, the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and European Union policy documents. Students are expected to review these materials in advance and attend classes adequately prepared.

All course materials, presentations, and supplementary resources will be uploaded to the “Materials” section of the Campus Information System (KBS) and made accessible to students.

A minimum attendance rate of 70% is required for the course. Attendance and participation will be taken into consideration in the overall assessment of student performance. In cases where the attendance requirement is not fulfilled, students’ assignment and examination grades may be deemed invalid in accordance with the applicable course and university regulations.

Attendance Reminders

• A minimum of 70% attendance is compulsory for this course.

• By the Midterm (Week 8):

  • Students with attendance below 70% will receive a 15% deduction from their grade.

  • Students with attendance below 50% will be considered unsuccessful and will not be eligible for a valid semester grade.

• By the Final (Week 16):

  • Students with overall attendance below 70% will not be allowed to take the exam, and their assignments will be deemed invalid.

  • Participation in a group project alone is not sufficient; each student will be assessed individually based on their attendance.

• Students are expected to review the assigned “Preliminary Preparation” topics each week, conduct literature reviews, and examine up-to-date reports before attending class.

Assignment Reminders

• Both individual and/or group assignments will be prepared within the scope of the course. In group projects, students may receive different grades depending on their level of contribution.

• Midterm substitute: Assignments must be submitted digitally in Word (docx) format.

• Final substitute: Assignments will be presented in class as PowerPoint presentations.

• Assignments will only be accepted in digital format. Hard copies will be required only if announced by the instructor.

• All assignments must comply with the IZU Thesis Writing Guidelines.

Plagiarism Control

• All submitted assignments will be checked via the TURNITIN plagiarism detection program.

• Assignments with a plagiarism rate below 20% will be evaluated.

• Assignments with a plagiarism rate above 20% will be subject to grade deductions proportional to the percentage.

• For further information on plagiarism, see: Plagiarism Awareness Video.

Points to Consider in Assignments

• Assignment topics will be announced during Week 2. Group distributions will be determined among students and published via KBS.

• Assignments must be submitted no later than the date announced in class by 18:00, in Word (docx) format and in digital form.

• Assignments will replace the midterm exam. Presentations will begin from Week 9, and each group will be allocated 45 minutes for their presentation.

• In group assignments, each student must actively participate in the presentation.

• Groups must consist of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 students.

• Assignments must be submitted through the KBS “Material Sharing System.” Late submissions will not be accepted and will be considered invalid.

Writing Guidelines for Assignments

• Assignments must follow the IZU Writing Guidelines.

• Length: 10–15 pages (excluding cover).

• Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt.

• Headings:

  • Main headings: 14 pt, UPPERCASE, bold.

  • Subheadings: 12 pt, bold.

• Formatting:

  • Margins: Left 2.5 cm; top, bottom, right 2 cm.

  • Line spacing: 1.5. Two lines of space before the text after a heading.

  • Page numbers must be placed at the bottom center.

• An Index (Table of Contents) must be included.

• Images, tables, and graphs must be shown in the relevant section and also provided in the Appendices.

• References:

  • In-text citations must follow the APA style.

  • A minimum of 10 printed sources (books, articles, journals, etc.) and 5–10 digital sources must be used.

  • References must be listed in alphabetical order.

Page Order:

• Cover page (back side blank)

• Table of Contents (back side blank)

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Main text (with headings and subheadings)

• Conclusion/Discussion (minimum 1 page)

• References

• Appendices