Social Work in Contexts of Postcolonial Migration: Perspectives on Policies, Institutions and Practices

In this course, we specifically investigate the field of social work, which includes public, private, nonprofit, national and international activities and operations. We also examine the ways social work changes and relates to increased migration and changing migration patterns and consequences. The course presents and problematizes theories of migration in general and of social work in relation to migration in particular. These theories then form the basis for elaborating and analyzing the link between social work and migration in relation to migration and social policy, welfare institutions, social work practices and the living conditions of individuals and groups. This course is intended for those who in their current or future work meet people with experience of migration as well as for those who are curious about migration and want to know more about how different societies and societal institutions respond to migration. This course focuses on social work institutions and practices and how they are guided by migration/social/public policies as well as ethical considerations. The course engages with four main issues central to social work: social work as a response to people’s vulnerability the control/care dilemma social work as a method of enhancing social rights and belonging as well as fostering social wellbeing and change professional encounters and treatment in context of postcolonial migration. During the course, current theories of postcolonial migration and particularly social work are discussed and problematised. These theories then provide the ground for more indepth study and analysis of the connection between social work and postcolonial migration in relation to migration/social/public policy, welfare institutions, social work practices, and the living conditions of particular individuals and groups. The course is combined with program students at the Faculty of Social Sciences and national-, international- and exchange students who study independent course.