IUC

INTER-UNIVERSITY CENTRE DUBROVNIK
SCHOOL OF
SOCIAL WORK THEORY AND PRACTICE

Dubrovnik, June 2004/2005

Course Description:

We serve and teach in the midst of war, the complexity of poverty in a global economy and rapid changes in society. This course seeks to expand our knowledge of the diverse philosophical, humanistic and spiritual resources which guide us in our attempt to create a more just and peaceful communities. Participants explore the spiritual, ethical, cultural and professional values, which inform our thinking and direct service. Special attention is given to issues of conflict resolution, inclusion vs. exclusion, reconciliation and nonviolence, and to deepening our understanding of human spirituality as concerns for social work education and practice. The 2004 Symposium will continue to search for the common elements as we explore meta-ethics as a concept, as well as a practiced tool. By selecting this title, we intend to follow up on our work from the previous years. Part of what we have done in the past is published on our website: www.spirituality-and-social-work.com & www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/publications/social_work_journal

Course Description:

In examining the development of social work throughout the world, it is necessary to broaden our horizon of inquiry beyond one of comparing models of appropriate practices that occur in different countries. The aim of the new course is to present and discuss theories about, for and of social work on several levels, and to evaluate and compare all kinds of strategies that are meant to be successful in achieving the purpose of social work within the given context.
The 2004 Symposium "Social Work and Risk" will explore concepts of risk assessment and risk management, which have an increasingly influential part to play in social work practice and management world-wide. The increased emphasis on how to quantify, assess and manage identified risk poses challenges to traditional social work values and methods. We plan to examine positives and negatives of different models from service user and provider perspective. Engaging in dialogue concerning rights of service users to take risks, and social workers role in reducing risk for service users themselves and those they may be judged to pose a risk to, will provide participants with the opportunity to examine the place of risk in balancing these concerns with the "rights" of individuals, families, communities, and society in general.

Course Description:

Participants examine implementation of the UN convention of the rights of children and all other relevant documents in the various regions in the world, but in particular in the countries represented in the course. Equal attention is given to all age subgroups, with special reference to policy and planning, as well as to different facets of social work theory and practice. Each year this Course focuses on a slightly different specific issue with a plan to cover all relevant components of the overall field of the "child and family welfare". The 2004 Symposium will explore the complexity of the inner world of a child/young person. Different stages and models of clinical intervention will be analyzed from both, theoretical and practical, perspectives.

Course Description:

The 2004 Course will reflect on the theories and methods of community organizing and community work. The primary focus will be on contributions of community work programs and their benefits to various groups and individuals within a given society. The core components of the course will, therefore, include the following: (a) an introduction to the history of community organizing and community work; (b) exploration of ideas and concepts of community and its relation to society as a whole; (c) community work versus casework as a social work strategy.
Participants will have ample opportunity to discuss several projects and practice models from different countries. They will also be encouraged to explore and discuss issues concerning the relative appropriateness and effectiveness of community work and community support in different settings.

Course Description:

Social work develops both, theory and practice, in a given context. Changes in needs, expectations, paradigms, systems, and welfare models all influence discussions and directions chosen for the growth and improvement of social work. In this course interaction between social work and social policies is discussed and problematized. Presentations have a theoretical as well as an empirical base. Each year a special topic is chosen foe examination. For the year 2004 we will focus on the welfare state. It was once a model for a democratic society aiming for social security for all assuming that social security can be defined by minimum standards based on scientific methods. We might, however, ask if poverty and marginalization are immanent in all societies, and if any type of democracy safeguards social inclusion. How can social work and social policies face up to these issues on an ongoing base on a micro and macro level? Examples can be problems related to unemployment and health, as dimensions of social exclusion.

Course Description:

From its beginning communities played a significant role in criminological theories and approaches. Since the 70's a shift towards community oriented strategies in crime prevention and social work with juvenile offenders becomes clearly visible. Various approaches from e.g. community networking, community education to community service, mediation and restorative justice claim to work better than traditional individual approaches. On the other hand, these programs are faced with the argument of widening the net and "blaming the blamed" and by doing so, not only changing but expanding social control on the so called "dangerous classes". The 2004 course will focus on the different and differing theoretical perspectives on "community" and social control, as well as on different examples of international practical programs, and experiences with such programs.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Inter-University Center for Post-Graduate Studies (IUC), Dubrovnik, Croatia, organizes academic programs composed of international and multidisciplinary courses and conferences. Courses were offered during the war despite the fact the IUC building was bombed and almost completely destroyed in 1991. The IUC has survived due to the persistent backing and support of many member universities, several organizations, and long-time friends of the IUC and Dubrovnik. The IUC will become increasingly relevant in bringing together scholars and students from different backgrounds and cultures to both discuss scientific progress, and persevere in promoting dialogue and understanding and contributing to the creation of a culture of peace.

The School of Social Work Theory and Practice was initiated by Dr. Dada M. Maglajlic' and Dr. Burt Galaway. The school offers six courses, each for five days. Courses are offered at a post-graduate level. The language of the School is English. IUC offers a certificate of attendance. Those interested in taking any of the courses may register with the IUC Secretariat, School Organizing Director, Course Organizing Director, and/or any of the Course Directors; please provide name, address, academic standing, and - if you are an undergraduate student - a recommendation from one of your professors.

Fee per course/symposium:

• EURO 250 for the IUC non-members
• EURO 150 for the IUC passive members
• EURO 40 for the IUC active members (annual fee paid by the member institution)

Participation by researchers, university professors, graduate students, advanced undergraduate students and practitioners is welcomed. Accommodations are available in Dubrovnik hotels from USD 35. Information regarding travel and accommodation can be found at the ICU web-site: www.iuc.hr
If you have previously participated in our program, we welcome you again. Please share this information with your colleagues. We will also be happy to have you with us if you are joining us for the first time. We appreciate suggestions and proposals to help create programs that will meet your professional interests. If you would like to serve as a Resource Person for any of the six courses, if you would like to register, or if you have any questions, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you!

IUC Dubrovnik School of Social Work Theory and Practice 2005 Schedule

June 4 - 10, 2005
Social Work Theories and Methodologies
Social Work and Spirituality

June 11 - 17, 2005
Social Work with Juvenile Offenders
Developing Neighborhood and Community Support Systems

June 19 - 25, 2005
Social Work and Social Policies
Social Work with Children and Youth

Please visit our websites at:
www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/publications/social_work_journal &
www.spirituality-and-social-work.com