Social Work, Service Users Participation and Organization

The course, Social Work Service Users Participation and Organization, 15 higher education credits, is a programme course given within the Master's Programme in Social Work and Human Rights within the Faculty of Social Sciences. The course is an in depth course.

To be eligible for the course a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, or in related topics, and proficiency in English are required.

The course deals with the following topics in relation to social work contexts both locally and globally:

• Theories and research about human service organizations.

• Different methods and technologies of social work within human service organizations. Contemporary challenges for the human service organizations and changes in the social welfare sector, globally and locally.

• Theories and research about civil society and its function as producer of public services.

• Differences and similarities between public human service organizations and non- governmental organizations (belonging to the third sector) according to legislation, work models and service production in social work.

• Theories about power and different types of power relations in social work. Service users’ participation and empowerment in different fields of social work. Social work within the social economy and the third sector, i.e. the case of social enterprises.

• Swedish social work – a special case in a global perspective.

After completion of the course the student is expected to: 


Knowledge and understanding

• have achieved a deeper knowledge and understanding of how human service organizations are constructed and functioning (i.e. leadership, communication, work distribution and organizations cultures)

• have acquired a deeper knowledge and understanding of civil society and its role as producer of public services

• have achieved a deeper knowledge of power theories and how power relations are embedded in different social work methods

• have achieved a deeper knowledge of different types of service users involvement and participation in the field of social work

• have achieved a deeper knowledge of construction of the social economy in different countries

Competence and skills

• be able to analyze and discuss how organizational aspects influence different types of social problems and social interventions

• be able to analyze how power imbalances are inherent in different kinds of social work

• be able to analyze and take part in different types of service users initiatives (i.e. self help organizations, social cooperatives or advocacy)

Judgement and approach

• evaluate and assess the consequences of civil society as producer of public services and power relations in social work

• identify and reflect on their own values and attitudes concerning social work methods, empowerment and different types of service users´ initiatives

The course consists of sessions in the form of lectures and seminars. In addition, the students are to write individually or in pairs a case study report about a subject that is related to the course content. Throughout the course the students will combine theoretical studies with collecting materials for the report, e.g. interviewing professionals and service users and analyzing documents, and writing drafts of different parts of the case study report. The drafts will be discussed, developed, and presented in class and in writing.

Language of instruction: English

The intended course learning outcomes are examined on the basis of a case study report and six seminars, of which three are related to the case study report.

The six seminars require compulsory attendance and active participation, which may imply written submissions.

In the event of absence or insufficient participation, a replacement assignment must be submitted. In the event of absence from or, insufficient participation at more than two compulsory sessions, a replacement assignment is not sufficient. In this case, the student has to participate in the equivalent session at a future course occasion.

The seminars are graded with either either Pass (G) or Fail (U). The case study report is assessed with the grade Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G), and Fail (U). If the examination assignment receives the grade Fail (U) but is judged to be close to the limit for the grade Pass (G), supplementation must be allowed.

If the student who has failed twice on the same examination element wishes to change examiner for the next examination session, such request should be submitted in writing to the department and must be approved unless there are special reasons on the contrary (HF Chapter 6, 22§).

If the student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special pedagogical support, the examiner may, in case it is compatible with the intended course learning outcomes and provided that unreasonable resources are not required, decide to give the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination.

In the event that a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the regular examination session) for a period of at least one year, however, no longer than two years after the course has ended/changed. With regard to internships and work-based education, the corresponding applies, but with a limitation to only one additional examination session.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For the grade Pass (G), it is required that the intended course learning outcomes have been achieved and that the student has actively participated in all compulsory elements. To Pass with Distinction (VG), it is also required that this grade has been obtained for the case study report.

The course is evaluated at an oral mid-course evaluation and in a separate written evaluation protocol at the end of the course. The results of the evaluation will be communicated to the students and will function as a guide for the development of the course.