Analyzing International Social Work in Undergraduate Social Work
Curriculum
- Benjamin Blackwell,
- Deborah Phillips
Abstract
In the social work field, international work plays an essential role in
many services such as working with global agencies, aiding immigrants,
and advocating for human rights. Representation of this area in the
classroom is critical for ethical international practice and it also can
be beneficial in developing skills for all students. This study aimed to
look at how international social work is represented in undergraduate
social work programs at universities across the country, and how they
are preparing students to practice with any client, but particularly
clients from other countries. Data were collected from course syllabi
and analyzed for international content using content analysis.
International social work content was found inconsistent across the
syllabi collected. Suggestions were then given for international social
work education models that can be used for effective class design.