GRADUATE COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
WWW.SW.UH.EDU
COURSE TITLE/SECTION:
SOCW 7360/16925 International Social Work: A comparative approach (Bolivia and US)
th
st
TIME: Summer 2014 (May 18 through June 1 2014)
FACULTY: Luis R. Torres, PhD & Melissa I. M. Torres, MSW
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment
I.
Course
A. Catalog Description
A comparative study of policies, practices and research between the U.S. and of
country (or countries) outside of the United States through study abroad.
B. Purpose
The purpose of this course is to critically analyze the policy formulation, practice
implementation of the social welfare systems and social work research in the US
and a country (or countries) outside of the United States. This is an elective course
that includes lectures, seminars, and site visits through study abroad.
II.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Compare the service delivery systems of the countries, including mandatory
and optional services in social welfare and social services (in governmental
sector and non-governmental agencies).
2. Critically analyze the implementation of social welfare policies, practices and
research in the countries (US and the country/countries outside of the U.S.).
3. Identify and delineate international perspectives to improve ways of working
with disadvantaged populations from diverse cultural backgrounds in the U.S.
and abroad.
III. Course Content
Students will use comparative approaches to analyze the social welfare policies,
practices, research and the service delivery systems in the U.S. and a country (or
countries) outside of the United States. Content areas include: international and
comparative frameworks in policy and practice analyses, social welfare and
related practices in the countries, governmental and not-for-profit sectors for the
implementation of the policies, cross-cultural learning exchanges with social work
students and social workers in a targeted foreign country/countries.
Required Pre-Departure Orientation:
Objective:
1. To understand cultural differences and develop a framework to compare
the social welfare policies and practices in Bolivia and the US.
2. To meet and collaborate with the host organization of the trip and become
familiar with their work and goals.
SOCW 7360 (Section 16925) (page 1 of 7)
3. To learn about the agencies and communities we will be visiting during our
trip to Bolivia.
Venue: GCSW Research Center Conference Rm. 345B
Date & Time: March 19, 2014 at 5:30-7pm
Required Post-Study Meeting:
Objective:
1. To discuss recommendations for social welfare policies and practices in the
United States, specifically as they relate to services for the Latin American
community in Houston.
2. To finalize class project.
3. To plan feedback for host organization on the trip and experience.
Venue: GCSW (room TBA)
Date & Time: June 16, 17, or 18 (To be decided as a group)
IV. Course Requirements
All three groups of assignments described below are interrelated with an aim to
help students organize their learning through critical thinking and observations.
A.
Reading Assignments and Participation (35 points)
Students are expected to read the assigned readings related to Bolivia
before the start of the program, and to attend the orientation and post-study
meetings. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the materials during
discussions during the trip. Readings are also to be incorporated into the final
project to reflect critical analysis of learning during the trip. The agenda is
mandatory: All students must attend all required agency, community, academic,
and cultural visits while in Bolivia, and remain with the group at all times. One
optional activity will be held May 29,30 to Salar de Uyuni. This is an overnight trip
with an additional cost and is not mandatory. Students opting out of the trip are
required to stay in La Paz with a United 4 Change host.
B.
Experiential Journaling (25 points)
Social media will be utilized throughout the trip. The primary use will be
through the use of blogging about the experience. The host agency, United 4
Change, has an online blog that will be utilized for this purpose. Students are
expected to journal using blog entries starting with one entry before the trip about
their thoughts, expectations, and goals for the trip. Entries should equal a 1-2 page
Word document discussing their thoughts and feelings of what they are learning
and experiencing from their own perspective and include a social work and/or
social justice framework. The entries should be experiential, and focus on the
personal thoughts and reactions during the study abroad, with a particular focus
on how the experience will impact the student’s ability to practice social work in
general, with Hispanics, and with Bolivians. No less than 3 entries per student.
Students will also be expected to post messages, updates, and/or photos during
their experience to the United 4 Change Facebook page and/or Twitter account.
C.
Final Project (45 points)
Students will submit a final project to be discussed with faculty before
submission. The project will be to create a presentation about the trip, your
experience, what you learned, and how it has impacted and added to your learning
experience as a social worker. The presentation can include photos, video/movie
clips, etc. The presentation will be shared at the United 4 Change gala in August
of 2014. The project will be worked on as a group, but grading is based on
individual participation and involvement. Due date: July 30, 2014 via
mitorres@uh.edu or ximuver@gmail.com. The presentation may also be used by
SOCW 7360 (Section 16925) (page 2 of 7)
the Latin American Initiative to inform incoming MSW students of the upcoming
summer study abroad opportunities.
V.
Reading List
A.
Required Readings
The following readings are required before travel.
Women and children
http://www.nu.org.bo/eventos/presentacion-del-informe-2013-sobre-la-situacion-delos-d
erechos-humanos-en-bolivia/
http://bolivia.ohchr.org/
http://www.ine.gob.bo/indicadoresddhh/
http://ojmbolivia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Ley-Integral-348-para-Garantizar-a-las
-Mujeres-una-Vida-Libre-de-Violencia.pdf
http://www.ine.gob.bo/indicadoresddhh/archivos/viole/nal/Codigo%20Ni%C2%A4o%2c
%20Ni%C2%A4a%20y%20Adolescente.pdf
www.unicef.org/bolivia/guia_intercultural_completa.pdf
Indigenous communities
http://www.lostiempos.com/diario/actualidad/nacional/20071108/evo-promulgaley-de-de
rechos-de-los-pueblos_22703_28086.html
Mining in Bolivia
http://www.economiabolivia.net/category/mineria/
US/Bolivia relations
http://www.bolivia-usa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=
78&lang=en
B.
VI.
Required Assignment
The documentary “La Mina del Diablo” must be watched before travel. The film
is available on You Tube in its entirety at the following link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evvB_rBnSRo
Evaluation and Grading
Because of the practice nature of this course, no incomplete will be given. Late
papers will suffer a one-point deduction per day (including weekends and holidays,
if any), unless prior approval has been obtained from your instructor.
A =
A- =
B+=
B =
B- =
96-100% of the points
92-95.9%
88-91.9%
84-87.9%
80-83.9%
C+ = 76-79.9%
C = 72-75.9%
C- = 68-71.9%
D = 64-67.9% (No Credit)
F = Below 64% (No Credit)
SOCW 7360 (Section 16925) (page 3 of 7)
VII. Consultation
Paperwork with the OISP must be completed at their office before the trip. Please
discuss your requirements, concerns, or final project with Dr. Luis R. Torres or Prof.
Melissa I. M. Torres, before, during or after the trip, particularly in the week of July 16,
2014.
VIII. Partnering Agency and Universities
United 4 Change Center for International Development and Global Citizenship
http://www.united4changecenter.org/
Universidad Mayor de San Andrés
http://www.umsa.bo/
Universidad Católica Boliviana
http://www.ucb.edu.bo/Nacional/Forms/Index.aspx
University of St. Thomas Center for International Studies
http://www.stthom.edu/Public/index.asp?page_ID=6197
SOCW 7360 (Section 16925) (page 4 of 7)
University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work
International Social Work: A comparative approach (Bolivia and US)
Study Abroad Itinerary (As of May 15, 2014; Subject to Change)
Day
Date
Hours
Activity
Details & Meals
1
5/18
Sun
6 pm
Departure from Miami International Airport (MIA)
2
5/19
Mon
1:30am
Arrival to International Airport El Alto, La Paz
Ground transportation to Hotel Calacoto
7-10am
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
10am-12pm
Rest and acclimatization
12:30-2:30pm
Welcome Lunch
Restaurant in Zona Sur
2:30-4:30pm
UN Agency Visits
Calacoto y Obrajes
5-7pm
Orientation and Activities with U4C-Bolivia Team
U4C Office, El Prado
7-8pm
Light Dinner/Snack
Downtown
8pm
7-9am
Return to Hotel
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
9am-12:30pm
Visit and Lectures on Bolivian Political Economy, History,
Mining Industry, Guests include social activists and
intellectuals
Universidad Catolica
Bolivia – Obrajes, Calle 2
12:30pm
Lunch
Restaurant in Downtown
3pm
Visit and Lectures on Social Work in Bolivia
Universidad Mayor de San
Andres – Ave. Villazon
7pm
Dinner with Dr. Alfredo Calva – Pres., Public Health
Association
Restaurant in Downtown
9:30pm
6-7am
Return to Hotel
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
7am
Travel to Quime – Mining Town
11am
Arrival to Quime Hotel
12:30pm
Lunch with Quime’s Mayor and Other Representatives
2pm
Conversation with leaders of the Caracoles Community
Center (CEMINCAR)
3pm
Trabajo de Campo:
Visit Hospital San Antonio
Survey and interviews of women from the community
Presentations and workshops on social and economic
issues (DV, child labor, education, healthcare)
Community Service in Quime
3
4
5/20
Tues
5/21
Wed
SOCW 7360 (Section 16925) (page 5 of 7)
Be at MIA no later than
3pm. Avianca Flight 007
Breakfast/Lunch on your
own
Hotel Address:
Calle 13 (esquina
Bustamante), La Paz
Overnight Work Trip:
prepare and pack for travel
to Quime (4 hours from La
Paz)
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
5/22
Thurs
5/23
Fri
5/24
Sat
5/25
Sun
5/26
Mon
5/27
Tues
5/28
6pm
Group Discussion
9pm
8-9am
Return to Quime Hotel
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
9am
Travel to La Paz
12:30pm
Snack
2-6pm
Visit Mining Production Center in El Alto
Servicio Comunitario
Conversation with women from Center
El Alto, La Paz
7pm
Dinner
La Paz
9pm
7-9am
Return to Hotel
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
9am
Travel to Tiwanaku
Cultural Day Trip (1 hour
from La Paz) – Pre-Incan
archaeological site
3pm
Return to Hotel
La Paz
5:30-7:30pm
U St. Thomas Presentation on Microcredit
8pm
7-8am
Family Dinner and Farewell to UST Particpants
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
8am-12pm
Travel to Copacabana
7-8am
Breakfast
8am-3pm
Tour Copacabana
3-8pm
7-9am
Travel to La Paz, Return to Hotel
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
La Paz
9am-12pm
Visit Callapa:
Interviews of people from community
Interview/meeting with Callapa Authorities
Site of Mega Landslide
Displacement Camp
12:30pm
Lunch
2:30-5pm
Visits with Local Government Agencies
La Paz Mayor, Defensoria
del Pueblo
6pm
Snack and Visit to Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
La Paz
9pm
7-9am
Return to Hotel
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
9am
Activities with Callapa Community
Workshops on DV, gender, women’s empowerment
12:30pm
Lunch
3pm
7-9am
Tour La Paz (Visit artisans, free day)
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
SOCW 7360 (Section 16925) (page 6 of 7)
Murillo Residence
Overnight Sightseeing Trip:
prepare and pack for travel
to Lake Titicaca (4 hours
from La Paz)
Santiago de Callapa, La Paz
Municipality
Cultural and Sightseeing
Wed
12
9am-5pm
Visits to Local Agencies: Meeting Area Social Workers
(professionals and students)
6pm
Return to Hotel
Trip to Salar de Uyuni
5/29
Thurs
OR
13
Tour La Paz
Trip to Salar de Uyuni
5/30
Fri
OPTIONAL Overnight
Sightseeing Trip: prepare
and pack for travel to Potosi
and Oruro (8 hours from La
Paz).
OR
14
15
5/31
Sat
6/1
Sun
7-9am
Tour La Paz
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
9am-12pm
Visit Children’s Hospital
12:30pm
Traditional Bolivian Lunch
2-4pm
4:40am
Concluding Meeting and Farewell
Departure from La Paz to Miami
• Dr. Luis R. Torres, 713-743-8512; 914-260-2076(C); lrtorres@uh.edu
• Prof. Melissa I. M. Torres, 713-743-1213; 713-444-5507(C); mitorres@uh.edu
• Ms. Ximena Murillo, 575-602-9376©; ximuver@gmail.com
SOCW 7360 (Section 16925) (page 7 of 7)
Miraflores, La Paz
Leaving hotel at 1am,
Avianca Flight 246
Arrive in MIA at 1:57pm
Returning to Houston on
your own