Study Guide

Objective

The student
- has knowledge about the different social- and healthcare systems
- gets a broader perspective on international social work
- is familiar with key policies underpinning social work practice
- develop the understanding of similarities and differences considering culture, needs and conditions in the two regions

Content

- The Nordic Welfare system and social work practice
- Social Work in Sub-Saharan Africa
- The role of NGO:s
- Client centered approaches
- Ethical and professional perspectives on social work
- Similarities and differences considering needs and conditions
- Tanzanian and Finnish society and culture
- Preparation for traineeship or work in the other region

Location and time

6.10-5.12.2025
A text to be read before 13.10 (students in Finland)
13.10.2025 at 15.15-18 (onsite for the students in Finland)
14.10.2025 at 15.15-17 (onsite for the students in Finland)
22.10 at 15.15-17 (online all together) Together with Business administration students on Intercultural communication
23.10 at 16.00-17.30 (online all together)Together with Business administration students on Intercultural communication
27.10.2025 at 15.15-17 (online all together)
28.10.2025 at 15.15-18 (onsite for the students in Finland)
3.11.2025 at 15.15-17 (online all together)
10.11.2025 at 15.15-17 (online all together)
18-21.11.2025 8h (onsite for the students in Tanzania)
1.12.2025 at 15.15-17 (online all together)

Materials

- Africa Social Work and Development Network (africasocialwork.net)
- Burke, J. and Ngonyani, B. 2004. A Social Work Vision for Tanzania
- Information and services for citizens in Finland (www.suomi.fi/citizen)
- Kamali, M. & Jönsson, J (eds). 2019. Neoliberalism, Nordic Welfare States and Social Work: Current and Future Challenges (e-book, Novia library).
- Kangas & Kvist. 2020. Nordic Welfare states. In: Blum, S, Kuhlmann, J & Schubert K. Routledge Handbook of European Welfare Systems (e-book, Novia library).
- Spitzer, H. 2017. Social work in East Africa: A mzungu perspective (2017)
- The Ubuntu Practitioner: Social Work Perspectives. IFSW. 2023
- Work, values and ethics. Ethical guidelines for social welfare professionals. Talentia

Additional material on the Moodle/Teams-platform.

Teaching methods

Online and onsite lectures, guest lectures, advance assignments, group work, portfolio.

Onsite lectures will take place in Turku, Finland and Mwanza, Tanzania. Students attend either in Finland or in Tanzania.

Employer connections

Guest lectures

Exam schedules

See course page on the Moodle/Teams-platform for more information about deadlines for advance assignments.
Portfolio to be handed in by 5.12.2025

International connections

The course will be conducted in cooperation between Novia UAS and St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), with lecturers from both universities.

Student workload

Attendance online and onsite + minor advance assignments 3 credits (3x27h=81h)
Portfolio 2 credits (2x27=54h)
Total 135h

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The minor advance assignments are either approved or rejected

The portfolio is evaluated with grades 0-5 (0 is rejected, 5 is the highest grade) based on whether the portfolio
- follows given instructions
- is based on academic knowledge
- contains own reflections on the subject

Qualifications

No prerequisites