Social Work in Urban Areas 1 (15 op)

Tavoitteet

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.

Sisältö

- 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

Aika ja paikka

Autumn 2025 - period 1
Myllypuro Campus

Oppimateriaalit

Study guide and Literature to be uploaded later.

Opetusmenetelmät

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

Harjoittelu- ja työelämäyhteistyö

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

Tenttien ajankohdat ja uusintamahdollisuudet

Midterm assignment
No exam

Kansainvälisyys

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.

Opiskelijan ajankäyttö ja kuormitus

27t per credit

Sisällön jaksotus

25.8.-12.9. Loop 1: Making Sence of The City (MPA6010)
15.9.-3.10. Loop 2: Discovering Challenges in Urban Areas (MPA6010)
6.10.-17.10. Loop 3: Empowerment, Ethics and Reflective Thinking (MPA6010, MPA6008)
20.-24.10. AUTUMN BREAK
27.-31.10. Mid-Term Consultations, Presentations (MPA6010)

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.

Lisätietoja opiskelijoille

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.

Arviointiasteikko

0-5

Arviointikriteerit, tyydyttävä (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

Arviointikriteerit, hyvä (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

Arviointikriteerit, kiitettävä (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

Arviointikriteeri, hyväksytty/hylätty

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