Upon completion of the course, the student will be familiar with the activity environment of social work, its history and future trends.

Students are able to

1. describe Finnish social welfare system and social work practices
2. analyze social work methods and approaches used within different working fields in practice
3. analyze and compare challenges of social service/social work practices internationally/locally

Course contents:

• The history, development and present situation of Finnish social welfare system
• Social welfare services
• Social work and social work methods in different contexts
• Social problems and future challenges for service development

Teaching methods:

• Orientative lectures (15 hours + seminar 12 hours)
• Course assignments (individual and group assignments)
• Study visits (5-6 different social work/service fields) in small groups
• Seminar with a presentation
• Virtual learning space Moodle is used for discussions and background material

Language: The course is entirely in English.

Year of study: Free

This course is available also for exchange students.

Teaching places:

University of Tampere, Linna building, classroom 6017 (6th floor)

TAMK University of Applied Sciences, Classroom H4-26, Department of Social Services and Wellbeing, Kuntokatu 3

Lecturers Marjo Harju and Jenni-Mari Räsänen

Teaching Lectures and study visits 25 h

Seminar 12 h

The course can accommodate 30 students. If more students want to attend, priority is given to students in social work and socionom programs and the order of enrolment so that those first enrolled have the priority. Enrolment ends on 4th September.

Grading scale 0-5. Grading is based on active participation in lectures, completed assignments, active participation in visits and seminar, and the essay.

Course materials, articles and links to further information will be provided via Tamk’s moodle platform

Content and tentative program:

Orientative lectures and classroom work (mornings at 9-12) Classrooms 6017 & H4-26 & excursions (usually afternoons at 13-15) 

Thu 10.9. 8.30-15, UTA, classroom 6017
Introduction & main characters of Finnish social welfare
Excursion: Children's day care (in small groups)

Thu 17.9. 9-15, UTA, Classroom 6017
A short history of Finnish social work 
Excursion: The Finnish Labour museum Werstas 

Thu 24.9. 9-15, TAMK, Classroom H4-26  
Social work and work methods in different contexts
Excursion: already in the morning, at 10-11 
Services for the elderly & mental disabilities

Thu 1.10. 9-15, TAMK, Classroom H4-26
Social problems and future challenges
Excursion: Sociocultural work with girls/boys/men/women (in small groups)

Thu 8.10. 9-15, UTA, Classroom 6017 
Summaries of the articles, reflections and discussion (Task 3) 
Excursion: Social Stand-By Services (already at 29.9.!) & Detoxification Unit (to be confirmed)

Seminars
15.10. 9-15, UTA, 6017
22.10. 9-15,TAMK, H4-26

Tasks

1. Differences and similarities between the system in Finland and in your country (in small groups), 2-4 pages
2. What did you learn in the places you visited? The most important findings (two students together), 2-4 pages
3. Reading articles and course materials, summarizing and introducing them to others (in small groups)
4. Essay on a specific theme, 5-6 pages and presentation in the seminar