Module 1: Introduction
Video in writing:
[MUSIC] Module One, welcome to international social work. In order to begin gaining insight into a framework for international social work, ISW, students begin the week learning why ISW is important, especially when students consider globalization, development and human rights. The importance of globalization is highlighted with regard to global social issues, such as human trafficking and immigration. It is noted that globalization is related to development and human rights. The reasons for acquiring for the acquisition of an analytic framework for ISW will be introduced, as well as the definition of ISW, and how the definition can be applied to a particular situation or case. The dimensions of ISW are introduced and those dimensions are considered relative to the type of social work practice, example practice and policy needed. In this process the importance of power is also explored. Enjoy the readings and discussions of the concepts introduced in this week.
Module Outcomes and Objectives
Module Outcomes
Module Objectives
1. Acquire an analytic frame of reference for analyzing central problems addressed by cross-cultural and global practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels as a base for international social work practice (ISW).
1. Acquire a knowledge base for conceptualizing international social work practice in the areas of social policy, direct practice, research, cross-cultural collaboration, and human development in the context of social environment.
1. Identify 4 reasons for acquiring an analytic frame of reference for ISW.
2. Differentiate between the definitions of ISW that have been used in forming an analytic frame of reference for ISW.
3. Describe the ISW definition that first highlighted the importance of global social justice and human rights.
4. Identify 4 dimensions of ISW that are important in acquiring a knowledge base for conceptualizing international/transnational problems.
5. Provide 2 case studies that show how the dimensions apply to social policy, direct practice, research, cross cultural collaboration, and human development in social environments.
6. Specify 2 ways acquiring a knowledge base for conceptualizing ISW involves understanding the importance of power in social environments.
PreviousNext
Module 1: Readings
· Due May 9 by 11:59pm
· Points None
Healy, L. M. (2008). International social work: Professional action in an interdependent world. (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
· Chapter 1: International social work: Why is it important? (pp.3-24)
Ca
anza, M XXXXXXXXXXInternational social work: Silent testimonies of the coloniality of power. International Social Work, 61(3), pp XXXXXXXXXX.
Module 1: Defining International Social Work (ISW)
Table of Contents
Introduction
This lesson focuses on the definition of international social work (ISW). In identifying articles in the journal entitled International Social Work, the lesson will utilize articles in the journal most appropriate in answering three questions that are related to and reinforce the assigned readings for the week. First, to what extent has the definition of ISW been an interest to authors at various times in the past five decades? Second, what challenges to defining ISW have authors identified? Third, which factors seem associated with a definition of ISW?
Interest in Defining ISW
In reading the abstracts in the ISW journal between 1959 and 2018, there were 33 articles that seemed relevant to defining ISW. There were only 2 articles in 1959 and 1980 that appeared to address the definition of ISW. By comparison, there were 8 articles published between 1980 and 1989, 6 articles between 1990 and 1999, 13 between 2000 and 2010, and 4 since between 2011 and 2018. In 2010, an entire issue of the journal was devoted to globalization and included an additional 6 articles. Taken together, authors addressed several topics related to the definition of ISW in the articles. In addition, the authors addressed key factors that should be considered in any definition of ISW. Those include: (a) culture, (b) human rights, (b) development, (d) globalization, and (e) sustainability. Those topics will be addressed in the following sections.
Intercountry Work/ISW by Definition
Early on, Weber XXXXXXXXXXidentified language ba
ier and culture as the simplest concerns in defining social work in international settings. Beyond these concerns, several authors have questioned whether or not traditional casework is an appropriate objective for practice in international settings (Burgest, 1983; El Nasr, 1989; Goldman, 1962; Guzzetta, 1996; Healy, XXXXXXXXXXFor example, Goldman XXXXXXXXXXquestioned whether or not social work had the world view needed for practice in international settings, especially the values, ethics, and attitudes appropriate for work with members of ethnic minority populations in Third World, developing countries (see also Burgest, XXXXXXXXXXLikewise, Guzzetta XXXXXXXXXXcontended that social work in international settings must go beyond the North American model of social work practice, primarily by better educating social workers to a more worldly view. El Nasr XXXXXXXXXXquestioned the use of the traditional casework term "client" in international practice.
In the 1980s, several authors identified the transnational challenges facing social work practice. Healy XXXXXXXXXXnoted one challenge facing ISW is the need for social workers to be educated in a manner that results in their having a world view - even when they engage in domestic practice. Within this context, McInnis XXXXXXXXXXhighlighted the importance of social work practice with political refugees in the United States. Likewise, Cox XXXXXXXXXXemphasized the importance of practice with migrant populations who move from one country to another and back again, especially as this movement relates to family issues, such as separating the family. Related to this challenge is the lack of commonalities regarding social work practice from one country to another (Ha
is, 1990).
Factors to Be Considered in Defining ISW
Several authors have suggested that several factors wa
ant attention in the definition of ISW. Drucker XXXXXXXXXXwas especially critical of what he perceived to the continued focus on micro practice rather than a focus on mezzo and macro practice in international settings. Even so, Hare XXXXXXXXXXdefined ISW as "em
acing both traditional social work activities and social development, and addresses social work knowledge, values and practice in an age of globalization," (p. 7).
Xu XXXXXXXXXXand Mohan (2005, 2008) shared concerns about the future definition of ISW. Xu noted that in defining ISW there is a need to understand how the international has merged into the local to become transnational, i.e. in the case of migrant persons served in domestic, local agencies. In particular, Mohan XXXXXXXXXXstressed the need for social work education and training to be universalized across settings around the world and to em
ace change in contexts in order to understand social transformation (Mohan, XXXXXXXXXXIn the process of defining ISW, the following factors seem to be the most important to consider.
Conclusion
This review of literature is both limited and delimited in using only the International Social Work journal. Based on the articles selected that seem relevant to the definition of ISW, several conclusions can be drawn relative to the questions posed in this lesson. Although one would think that there might be a greater emphasis on defining the ISW construct over five decades of publications, a major challenge in defining ISW seems to be the need for a world view that allows for less traditional models of practice that reflect new types of cultural sensitivity in practice with populations around the world. Numerous factors should be considered in defining ISW, including cultural competence, human rights, development, and globalization, as well as cu
ent factors, such as sustainability and environmental safety.
References
Alexander, C XXXXXXXXXXHuman rights, political oppression, and social development: The Chile Sanction. International Social Work, 28(4), 40-44.
Burgest, D XXXXXXXXXXPrinciples of social work and the Third World. International Social Work, 26(3), 7-23.
Cox, D XXXXXXXXXXIntercountry work. International Social Work, 29(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
Dominelli, L XXXXXXXXXXGlobalization, contemporary challenges and social work practice. International Social Work, 53(5), XXXXXXXXXX.
Dominelli, L XXXXXXXXXXPromoting environmental justice through green social work practice: A key challenge for practitioners and educators. International Social Work, 57(4), XXXXXXXXXX.
Drucker, D XXXXXXXXXXWhither international social work? A reflection. International Social Work, 46(1), 53-81.
El Nasr, M XXXXXXXXXXThe term 'client' in the social work profession. International Social Work, 32(4), XXXXXXXXXX.
Ferguson, L., & Lavalette, M XXXXXXXXXXGlobalization and social justice: Toward a social work of resistance. International Social Work, 49(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
Goldman, B XXXXXXXXXXInternational social work as a professional function. International Social Work, 5(3), 1-8.
Gray, M., & Coates, J XXXXXXXXXXGlobalization, contemporary challenges and social work practice. International Social Work, 53(5), XXXXXXXXXX.
Guzzetta, C XXXXXXXXXXDecline of the North American model of social work practice. International Social Work, 39(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
Hare, I XXXXXXXXXXRevised definition of ISW. International Social Work, 47(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
Hugman, R., Moosa-Mitha, M., & Moyo, O XXXXXXXXXXTowards a borderless social work: Reconsidering notions of international social work. International Social Work, 53(5), XXXXXXXXXX.
Ha
is, R XXXXXXXXXXBeyond rhetoric: A challenge for ISW. International Social Work, 33(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
Healy, L XXXXXXXXXXThe international dimension is social work education: Cu
ent efforts, future challenges. International Social Work, 29(2), XXXXXXXXXX.
Healy, L XXXXXXXXXXSocial work as human rights profession. International Social Work, 51(6), XXXXXXXXXX.
Jones, D., & Truell, R XXXXXXXXXXGlobal agenda for social work and social development.
Jones, D XXXXXXXXXXThe third pillar of social development - sustainability. International Social Work, 61(4), XXXXXXXXXX.
Marlow, C., & Van Rooyen, C XXXXXXXXXXHow green is social work? International Social Work, 41(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
McInnis, K XXXXXXXXXXWorking with political refugees: new challenges to international social work. International Social Work, 29(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
Midgley, J XXXXXXXXXXInvolving social work in economic development. International Social Work, 39(1), 13-25.
Mishra, R XXXXXXXXXXSocial rights as human rights: Globalizing social protection. International Social Work, 48(1), 9-20.
Mohan, B XXXXXXXXXXToward new global development. International Social Work, 40(4), XXXXXXXXXX.
Mohan, B XXXXXXXXXXNew internationalism: Social work's dilemmas, dreams, and delusions. International Social Work, 48(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
Mohan, B XXXXXXXXXXRethinking international social work. International Social Work, 51(1), 11-24.
Nadan, Y XXXXXXXXXXRethinking 'cultural competence' in international social work. International Social Work, 60(1), 74-83.
Reichert, E XXXXXXXXXXWomen's rights as human rights. International Social Work, 41(3), XXXXXXXXXX.
Sanders, D XXXXXXXXXXMulticulturalism: Implications for social work. International Social Work, 23(2), 9-16.
Skegg, A XXXXXXXXXXHuman rights and