SABV240 Social Exclusion and Inclusive Practices in Social Work

Contents and structure

This course is a digital/online course and is entirely in English. HVL students must take both parts of this course in order to get 10 ECTS. The course consists of two parts:

Part 1 | Methods for Inclusive Social Work Practice | Beginning of November to beginning of January (8 weeks). (Exact dates see course calendar on website).

Part 2 | Methods for a Structural Social Work Approach | Mid-January to beginning/mid-March (8 weeks). (Exact dates see course calendar on website).

In the last decades, societies worldwide have undergone rapid changes due to increasing mobility and global political, social, and economic disparities. These shifts shape living conditions and contribute to social challenges such as migration and forced displacement. For instance, Europe has witnessed the impact of these changes, leading to new dynamics of inclusion and exclusion. The interactions between various groups— differentiated by religion, age, gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, and other social categories—often result in marginalization, discrimination, and social tensions. These developments pose significant challenges for social work, requiring professionals to critically analyze and respond to social exclusion while fostering inclusive practices. Understanding the complexities of power, identity, and systemic inequalities is essential for social workers aiming to support marginalized individuals and communities effectively.

This two-part course, Social Exclusion and Inclusive Practice in Social Work, explores social exclusion and inclusion from two interconnected but distinct perspectives. The first part takes an individual-centered approach, focusing on the experiences of marginalized individuals. It introduces students to key concepts such as intersectionality, bias, and discrimination and provides methods to identify and address these issues in social work practice. Ethical considerations and self-reflection are central elements helping students develop an awareness of their biases and professional responsibilities. Additionally, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in social exclusion and inclusion will be critically examined, addressing both the risks and opportunities it presents in social work practice.

The second part shifts focus to the community and societal levels. It examines how exclusion and inclusion are embedded in institutional structures, public policies, and systemic power relations. Students engage with anti-oppressive practice, strengths-based approaches, community engagement strategies, and policy analysis frameworks to understand and address structural inequalities. The course also critically explores how digital technologies and AI shape social justice efforts at systemic levels.

A key element of this course is the global exchange of perspectives. Through an online learning environment, students from diverse backgrounds will engage with one another, sharing knowledge and experiences that are crucial for fostering inclusive social work practices. This course is relevant for students seeking an international perspective on the field of social work. It aims to equip learners with theoretical insights and practical methods to contribute to social justice and inclusive practice on both the individual and societal levels.

Part 1 Content - This course equips students with essential methods for promoting inclusive practices in social work. It covers identifying and addressing inequities, understanding intersectionality, and exploring diverse identities. The course introduces basic ethical frameworks and methods for addressing bias and prejudice.

Part 2 Content - This course equips students with theoretical frameworks and practical methods to analyze and address structural forms of exclusion in social work. Students explore how systems, institutions, and policies contribute to social injustice and how social workers can challenge these dynamics through community-based and policy-level interventions. Key methods include anti-oppressive and intersectional approaches, participatory community engagement strategies, and rightsbased policy analysis. Special attention is given to the role of Artificial Intelligence and digital systems in shaping inclusion and exclusion.

Learning Outcome

Part 1 - Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Navigate and Utilize Course Resources: Confidently use the course platform and collaborate with peers.

2. Understand the Importance of Inclusive Practice: Explain the relevance of inclusive social work and reflect on the role of AI in shaping exclusion and inclusion.

3. Identify and Address Inequities: Recognize different forms of inequality in practice and explore suitable interventions to address them.

4. Apply Intersectionality Analysis: Use intersectionality to analyze exclusion and gain insights into diverse identities and perspectives.

5. Recognize and confront bias: Apply strategies to identify and challenge bias in practice and reflect on personal attitudes.

6. Use Ethical Frameworks and Reflect Professionally: Make ethical decisions and develop strategies for self-reflection and professional growth.

Part 2 - Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Structural Exclusion: Understand anti-oppressive practice and use methods to address structural inequality, including the role of AI.

2. Apply Intersectionality and Strengths-Based Perspectives: Analyze how power structures intersect and assess the limitations of strengths-based approaches.

3. Use and Reflect on Community Engagement: Apply participatory methods and evaluate their ethical and power-related implications.

4. Advocate for Social Justice and Human Rights: Apply human rights frameworks and develop advocacy strategies in social work contexts.

5. Conduct Policy Analysis: Evaluate policy impacts using rights-based and critical frameworks.

6. Engage in Reflective Practice: Reflect on personal and professional positioning, as well as ethical dilemmas related to representation and participation.

7. Design Integrated Strategies: Develop action plans that integrate community engagement and policy approaches to promote inclusion.

Entry requirements

All subjects from the 1st year of study must be passed

Teaching methods

Throughout the course, students will work with a solution oriented focus. By working on assignments, students will reflect on situations related to exclusion and inclusive practice from a social work perspective and compare them with those in other countries. They will work both individually and in groups. During the course, students will work together to provide support and feedback.

The course will begin with an introduction to the e-learning platform and will introduce students to the international group of students and teachers they will work with. The course is divided into time periods of one or two weeks. Each period, students will receive new learning materials, including literature, lectures, triggers, discussions, and assignments to work on individually and in groups. The assignments are closely related to the course objectives.

Students who deliver their tasks on time during the program receive feedback and guidance from the teacher. All course elements will be organized and administered through a common learning management system.

Compulsory learning activities

The following compulsory work requirements must be approved for students to take the exam:

• Portfolio assignments

The student will deliver written assignments throughout the course. When assignments are delivered in time, the students will receive feedback and have an opportunity to improve their initial work. All assignments must be completed and submitted to the online e-portfolio before the deadline.

Specific course requirements for Part 1

1.Student's presentation (400 words +/- 10% or video)

2.Presentation of an individual learning plan incl. reflection blog entries

3.Six assignments throughout the course

4.Peer Feedbacks

Specific course requirements for Part 2

1.Student's presentation (400 words +/- 10% or video)

2.Presentation of an individual learning plan incl. reflection blog entries

3.Six assignments throughout the course

4.Peer Feedbacks

Assessment

Exam Part 1

1.Presentation based on an analytical paper (2.000 words +/-10 %) where students apply key concepts, methods, and ethical frameworks learned in the course to a case (including contextual Comparison (applying a diagnostic/analytical method), Ethical and Professional Reflection, Proposal of inclusive approaches to work with the case).

2.Reflection on the learning process (500 words +/- 10%)

Exam Part 2

1.Presentation of an action plan (2.500 words +/-10 %) targeting a social issue related to exclusion and inclusion. The plan should demonstrate the integration and application of methods and strategies for structural social work approaches.

2.Reflection on learning (500 words +/- 10%): A critical reflection on the student's learning journey and their development as a structurally aware practitioner.

General about exams

Each part will end with a final exam. In this course, the final exam will be evaluated with marks according to the scale proposed by the Bologna Declaration. Marks will be given on a scale of A-F, where F is a failing grade, not a passing grade. If students take more than one part of the course, the home institution will inform them before the start of the course whether the final mark will be a sum of each part of the course or if they must pass each part separately. Re-examination is possible for both parts and will take place in mid-April.

Examination support material

All

More about examination support material

Course reductions

• BSO214B - Module 2 - Social exclusion and inclusive practices in social work - Reduction: 10 studypoints