Finnish Social Welfare and Social Work (5cr)

Content (course unit)

FINNISH SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL WORK 5 ECTS
Type of course: Elective
Note: This course is also offered for international exchange and degree students in Tampere

Objective
Students are able to
" Describe Finnish social welfare system and social work practices
" Analyze social work methods and approaches used within different working fields in practice
" Analyze and compare challenges of social service / social work practices internationally/locally

Course contents
The structure, present status and development history of Finnish social protection system
Social welfare services
Social problems and future challenges for service development

Teaching methods
Orientative lectures
Study visits (5-6 different social work/service fields) in small groups
Seminars with a presentation
Moodle/Tabula -discussion

Assessment methods
Active participation in the lectures and study visits
Group discussion and essay based on literature, lectures and study visits.
Seminar presentation.

Required/Recommended reading in Moodle/Tabula
Background literature related to each theme is given during the lessons. Background documents in Moodle/Tabula.

Year of study
Free

Semester/Period
Autumn term: During September - October
Spring term: During February - March

Language of instruction
English

Exam schedules

-

Assessment methods and criteria

• Active participation in the lectures and study visits
• Making of assignments
• Presentation in the seminar

Teaching methods

• Orientative lectures (18 hours + seminar 6 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 Tabula is used for discussions and background material

Learning materials

You could find it at Tabula

Student workload

Lectures and study visits 30 h
Thu 12th September 10th October weekly at 9-15
Seminar 6 h
1. session 24.10. 9-12
2. session 30.10. 9-12

Content scheduling

Lectures and study visits 30 h
Thu 12th September 10th October weekly at 9-15
Seminar 6 h
1. session 24.10. 9-12
2. session 30.10. 9-12

Completion alternatives

Not available

Practical training and working life cooperation

Study Visits

Further information

from 11th ZSeptember to 9th to October. The course can accommodate 25 students. If more students want to attend, priority is given to students in social work and socionom programs and the order of enrollment so that those first enrolled have the priority.
https://lomake.tamk.fi/v3/lomakkeet/15120/lomake.html
Teaching place:
TAMK University of Applied Sciences
Pyynikintie 2A, 33230 Tampere Classroom 324 (3rd floor)
Language of instruction
English
Lecturers
Jenni-Mari Räsänen(e-mail Jenni-Mari.Rassnen(at)uta.fi)
Juha Santala (e-mail juha.santala(at)tamk.fi)
Teacher responsible

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

• Understand and describe the Finnish social welfare system and the role of social work within the system
• Understand what kind of social work approaches and methods are used within different working fields in practice

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

• Understand and describe the Finnish social welfare system and the role of social work within the system
• Understand what kind of social work approaches and methods are used within different working fields in practice
• Understand and discuss present challenges in social work/ social services

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

• Understand and describe the Finnish social welfare system and the role of social work within the system
• Understand what kind of social work approaches and methods are used within different working fields in practice
• Understand and discuss present challenges in social work/ social services
• Compare analytically the differences and similarities between Finnish welfare system and welfare systems of other countries