Social Work in Urban Areas 1 (15 ECTS)

Learning outcomes

Students will become familiar with the Helsinki and its structural and social geography. Lectures and seminars focus on critical and post-structural theories concerned with globalization, urbanization, and the meaning of place and place-making in everyday urban life. We explore qualitative research methods, which are useful in identifying, mapping and analysing the social issues, that occur in urban areas due to globalisation. Throughout the course there will be lectures addressing the theoretical orientations, workshops to train skills and field trips to neighbourhoods and organizations. You use Helsinki as a point of reference and a laboratory to explore topics concerning superdiversity, globalization, migration and their effects on the urban city context.

Content

- Introduction and Familiarization to the Urban Helsinki area
- Field visits to neighbourhoods and organisations
- Neighborhood mapping
- International context comparisons
- Introduction to globalization, urbanization and superdiversity as phenomena effecting the ‘City’
- Explore the role of the professional in this complex urban context

Teaching methods

Contact teaching with International Lecturers
Visiting guest Lecturers from the field
Visits to the field/neighborhoods
Literature
Guidance and project learning
Self-directed learning
Seminars

Location and time

Autumn 2025 - period 1
Myllypuro Campus

Learning materials and recommended literature

Study guide and Literature to be uploaded later.

Internship and working life connections

Connections with working life partners (visits, seminars)
neighborhood walks

Exam dates and retake possibilities

Midterm assignment
No exam

International connections

This module is part of a international joint programme - Social Work in Urban Areas. Four partner universities in Ghent, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Helsinki produce this module collaboratively.

This module is also connected to the Erasmus+ Urban SOS project with the same partners which has developed learning and teaching materials for academics and professional social workers in the urban context.

Student workload

27h per credit

LOOP 1:
25.8. Independent work
26.8. at 9.00-12.00 (MPA6010)
at 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
27.8. at 9.00-12.00 (MPA6017)
at 13.00-16.00 (field activity)
28.8. at 9.00-12.00 (MPA6010)
at 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
29.8. at 9.00-12.00 Reflection, feedback (MPA2022)

1.9. Independent work
2.9. at 9.00-12.00 (MPA6010)
at 13.00-16.00 (Field work)
3.9. at 9.00-12.00 (MPA6010)
at 13.00-16.00 (study visit in Myllypuro)
4.9. at 10.00-12.00 (place will be uploaded)
at 13.00-16.00 (group work in the city)
5.9. at 9.00-12.00 (Details will be uploaded)

8.9. Independent preparation for the week's program
9.9. at 14.00-15.00 (field visit)
at 15.00-16.30 (MPA2028)
at 18.00 Joint dinner in the city
10.9. at 9.00-12.00 study visit/lecture
at 13.00-16.00 Field work in the neighborhoods
11.9. Metrosport -event for all Metropolia students
12.9. at 9.00-12.00 Reflection (MPA5015)

LOOP 2
15.9. Independent preparation for the week's program
16.9. at 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
17.9. at 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
18.9. All day Visits on the neighborhoods/Consultation for mid term assignment
19.9. 9.00-12.00 (MPA6010) , 13.00-16.00 field work

22.9. Independent preparation for the week's program
***23.9. at 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-17.00 (MPA6010)***
24.9. at 9.00-12.00 (MPA6010)
at13.00-16.00 (field work)
25.9. at 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
26.9. at 9.00-12.00 (MPA6010)

29.9. Independent / group work
30.9. at 9.00-16.00 lecture/study visit/ field work. Details will be uploaded, changes may occur.
1.10. at 9.-16.00 lecture/study visit/ field work. Details will be uploaded, changes may occur.
2.10. at 9.00-12.00 lecture/study visit/ field work. Details will be uploaded, changes may occur.
at 13.00-16.00 MetGO event
3.10. Visitor or field work. Details will be uploaded, changes may occur.
Independent preparation for next week

LOOP3:
***6.10. at 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00 (MPA5025)***
7.10. at 9.00-12.00 (homework)
at 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
8.10. at 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00 (MPA6008)
9.10. Visitor/guidance for mid-term assignment and field work. time and place will be confirmed later
10.10. Independent /group work

13.10. Independent preparation for the week's program
14.10. at 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
15.10 at 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
16.10. at 9.00-12.00 (groupwork)
at 13.00-16.00 (MPA6010)
17.10. at 9.00-12.00 (MPA6010/tentative)

20.-24.10. AUTUMN BREAK

27.10. at 9.00-12.00 Prepare midterm exhibition with consultation (MPA4018)
28.10. at 9.00-12.00 Prepare midterm exhibition with consultation (MPA6010)
29.10. Independent / group work
30.10. at 12.00-16.00 MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT; EXHIBITION (MPA6010)
31.10. independent work

Content scheduling

25.8.-12.9. Loop 1: Making Sence of The City
15.9.-3.10. Loop 2: Discovering Challenges in Urban Areas
6.10.-17.10. Loop 3: Empowerment, Ethics and Reflective Thinking
20.-24.10. AUTUMN BREAK
27.-31.10. Mid-Term Consultations, Presentations

Each loop has 2 weeks teaching and third week is reflection week which includes lectures, study visits, group work, individual studies as well as prepare work for coming loop.

Further information for students

This module is targeted towards selected Metropolia students as well as incoming exchange students from our partners. This will be the only module the students register for in the first period so schedules will not conflict with other studies.

The first year of Social Services studies (55 credits) must be completed.

After completing both SWUA study modules, the student applies for RPL for previously agreed study courses.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student demonstrates knowledge of:
- display learning of concepts and knowledge of globalization processes, welfare systems, social and cultural diversity to become aware of social problems, ethics and core content in the field
- search information from a variety of sources
The student demonstrated the ability to:
- work in using various methods in a variety of urban social work contexts
- show that he has achieved the basic planning, analysing, implementation and communication skill targets for core competence
The student demonstrated competences to:
- participate in group work and interact to some degree with fellow students, clients and other stakeholders regardless of social and cultural background
- aware of social problems, interventions and methods possible in the urban context
- attempt basic research using minimal academic skills and methods
- passive contributions to the quality of work produced
- follow team solutions targeting identified needs and problems

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student demonstrates knowledge of:
- use concepts and knowledge of globalization processes, welfare systems, social and cultural diversity to address social problems ethically and systematically
- find information and assess and use information sources with a critical eye
The student demonstrated the ability to:
- identify and analyse social issues
- search and find find information from a variety of sources
- plan and complete course work systematically
- apply social work methods in professional assignments
- communicate with students and professionals in the field
The student demonstrated competences to:
- participate in group work and interact persistently with fellow students, clients and other stakeholders regardless of social and cultural background
- consider knowledge of social problems, interventions and methods in practical situations
- undertake basic research applying academic skills and methods
- contribute to the quality of work produced
- find solutions targeting identified needs and problems

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student demonstrates knowledge of:
- use concepts and knowledge of globalization processes, welfare systems, social and cultural diversity to address social problems ethically and professionally
- argue the use of his sources
- argue a course of action on the basis of research information or
findings
The student demonstrated the ability to:
- identify and analyse social issues and suggest relevant interventions
- search for, process and analyse information from a variety of sources
- plan and complete course work and preparing and carrying out a project plan within the established time frame
- apply social work methods in concrete cases
- communicate and establish professional relations with clients and other stakeholders
The student demonstrated competences to:
- participate actively in group work and interact productively with fellow students, clients and other stakeholders regardless of social and cultural background
- apply knowledge of social problems, interventions and methods in practical situations
- undertake basic research applying academic skills and methods
- evaluate the quality of work produced
- find creative and innovative solutions targeting identified social needs and problems

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student demonstrates knowledge of:
- display learning of concepts and knowledge of globalization processes, welfare systems, social and cultural diversity to become aware of social problems, ethics and core content in the field
- search information from a variety of sources
The student demonstrated the ability to:
- work in using various methods in a variety of urban social work contexts
- show that he has achieved the basic planning, analysing, implementation and communication skill targets for core competence
The student demonstrated competences to:
- participate in group work and interact to some degree with fellow students, clients and other stakeholders regardless of social and cultural background
- aware of social problems, interventions and methods possible in the urban context
- attempt basic research using minimal academic skills and methods
- passive contributions to the quality of work produced
- follow team solutions targeting identified needs and problems