International Social Work

Catalog description

This elective course introduces students to social work globally and/or transnational work in the United States or abroad through an understanding of the major theories of individual and family functioning that encompass biophysical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions. Specific attention will be paid to the role that culture and cultural identity play in human development and contextual factors that define what is considered “normal” behavior. Students will be exposed to central concepts and core ideas of theories that provide the conceptual base for many tools of intervention utilized in international social work as well as with refugee, immigrant and migrant individuals and families at the local level. This course will also focus on international crises and responses caused by natural and human disasters. These include hurricanes, earthquakes, cyclones, mass shootings and terrorist attacks.