University of Zagreb
Faculty of Law
Department of Social Work
Nazorova 51, Zagreb
Gordana Berc, Ph.D.
ECTS coordinator
gberc@pravo.hr
COURSES IN ENGLISH
Title of the course: COMPARATIVE SOCIAL POLICY
Level of Study: Master in Social Policy
Elective Course, 5 ECTS, 3 hours per week, winter semester
Teachers: Professors G. Bežovan, Z. Šućur, and S. Zrinščak
Description of the course:
The aim of the course is to provide a theoretical knowledge and to stimulate a critical thinking about social
policy from the comparative perspective. It will also give students a tool of how to analyze those changes.
Although it will basically cover European welfare states, a particular attention will be directed to global social
changes and their relevance and impact on the quality of life in different European countries. The course will
also analyze social policy development in post-communist states.
Students enrolled in the course are expected to have basic knowledge about social policy systems and welfare
state models.
Specifically, topics covered by the course include:
Comparative social policy – basic concepts
Methods in comparative social policy
Welfare state models approach – concept, development, limitations
Global social policy and governance
Actors in social policy
Social policy in post-communism from a comparative perspective
Social policy in Croatia and South East European countries
Types of lecture:
Lectures will consist of presentations by teachers accompanied by active student participation.
Literature necessary for exams
Instead of exams, students will write an essay about chosen topic of comparative social policy in consultation
with teachers. The topic of the essay will be based on the indicative readings listed below, as well as on
additional literature in line with the topic. Essays will be presented in the class. In addition, students will be
asked to read a few segments of the literature in relation to the lectures. The following literature will form the
basis for lectures:
Classen, J. (2004) Defining Comparative Social Policy in P. Kennett (ed.) A Handbook of Comparative Social
Policy. Edward Elgar.
Deacon, B. (2007) Global Social Policy & Governance. Sage Publications – selected chapters.
Kennett, P. (2004) Introduction: the changing context of comparative social policy, in: P. Kennett (ed.) A
Handbook of Comparative Social Policy. Edward Elgar.
Palier, B. (2010) The long conservative corporatist road to welfare reforms. In B. Palier (ed.) A Long Goodbye
to Bismarck? Amsterdam University Press.
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Smelser, N. J. (2003) On Comparative Analysis, Interdisciplinarity and Internationalization in Sociology,
International Sociology 18(4); 643-57
Stubbs, P., Zrinščak, S. (2010) Social protection and Social Inclusion from Lisbon to Europe 2020. In: V.
Samardžija and H. Butković (eds.) From Lisbon Strategy to Europe 2020. Zagreb: Institute for International
Relations
Stubbs, P., Zrinščak, S. (2009) Croatian Social Policy: The Legacies of War, State-building and Late
Europeanization. Social Policy & Administration, 43 (2): 121-135
Stubbs, P., Zrinščak, S. (2009) Rescaling Emergent Social Policies in South East Europe. In: Rummery, K.
Greener, I., Holden, C. (eds.) Social Policy Review 21. Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2009. University
of Bristol: The Policy Press.
Title of the course: WORK AND EMPLOYMENT
Teachers: Prof. dr. sc. Zoran Šućur, teacher; Dr. sc. Teo Matković, assistant
Teaching activity: Lectures, summer semester, 2hrs weekly, 12 teaching weeks
Eligibility: Elective course, BA level (4th year)
Participants are expected to have at least basic knowledge about social policy systems and legal regulation of
employment.
Workload: 3 ECTS
Examination: Oral exam supplemented with bi-weekly written assignments.
Description of Module:
The goal of this course is to provide the students with an introductory overview of contemporary concepts and
findings in labour economics, psychology and sociology of employment, industrial relations and employment
policies. Quality of employment, labour market structure and indicators are discussed with special focus on
transitional countries. A special attention is given to areas where labour market intersects social policies: skill
formation and labour market entry, retirement and labour market exit, activation and employment policies,
reconciliation of work and family life and employment flexibilization.
Expected learning outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to understand critical issues about work, employment
and unemployment, as they relate to individuals (through their life-cycle) and organizations. As well, they
will be provided a toolbox to asses the institutional framework, practice and policy with respect to
employment issue. This should provide student with better understanding of (un)employment-related needs
and issues faced by their clients while practicing social work, as well as a good foundation for work in human
resource management, employment service provision, planning and assessment.
Weekly topics:
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Role of employment in historical context, employment of social workers
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Psychological and sociological concepts on work and employment
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Labour market indicators and rudiments of labour economics
4
Quality of working life
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Flexibilization and segmentation of work. Structure and transformation of employment
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Education and labour market entry. Role of social networks.
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Older workers and labour market exit
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Gender and employment
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Challenges of conciliation of work and family life
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Causes, forms and consequences of unemployment
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Employment services and unemployment insurance
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Activation, labour market policies and flexicurity
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Readings:
Core reading:
Cazes, S., & Nesporova, A. (2003). Labour Markets in Transition: Balancing Flexibility & Security in
Central and Eastern Europe. International Labor Office. Chapters 2 and 3 (pp. 7-53)
Green, F. (2007). Demanding Work: The Paradox of Job Quality in the Affluent Economy. Princeton
University Press. Chapters 1-3, 5 (pp. 1-65,94-110)
Mooney, G. (2004). Work: personal lives and social policy. The Policy Press. Chapters 3 and 5 (pp. 3973,109-144)
Rubery, J. i D. Grimshaw (2003.). The Organization of Employment. An International Perspective.
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Chapter 1 and 4-7 (pp 1-25,77-197)
Volti, R. (2007). An Introduction to the Sociology of Work and Occupations. Pine Forge Press. Chapters 1-3,
7-13 (pp. 1-53, 117-248)
Additional reading:
European Commission (2008) Measuring the quality of employment in the EU. In: Employment in Europe
2008 (pp. 147-170). Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
European Commission (2007) Active ageing and Labour market trends for older people. In: Employment in
Europe 2007 (pp. 53-106). Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
European Commission (2006) Flexibility and security in the EU labour markets. In: Employment in Europe
2006 (pp. 75-113). Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
European Commission (2006) Effective European Active Labour Market Policies. In: Employment in Europe
2006 (pp. 119-164). Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
Franičević, V. (2008). Decent Work Country Report - Croatia. Geneva: International Labour Office Regional
Office for Europe and Central Asia.
Title of the course: SOCIAL WORK IN EDUCATION
Teacher: Gordana Berc, Ph.D., assistant professor
Teaching activity: Lectures, small groups, 4 hours per week, summer semester.
Eligibility: Elective course, B.A. level (3th year)
Workload: 3 ECTS
Exam: Written and oral.
Course description:
The course is based on understanding of the role of social workers in connecting schools, pre-schools,
families and communities in purpose to realize the best interests of children and youth during their growth.
This course emphasizes roles and tasks of the social workers in helping children, students, schools and
families adjust to and cope with special needs. The conceptual framework is based on the eco-systems theory
with special focus on social work perspectives.
Teaching unites:
Introduction in social work in education.
History of school social work – context of USA, Europe and Croatia.
School social work as profession – roles and functions.
Ethical principles of school social workers.
Social workers in pre-school education.
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Eco-system perspective.
Student focused interventions (behavior problems, social problems, students with disabilities).
Case study from perspective of social work in education – assessments, planning and interventions.
Work with families – monitoring, planning and interventions.
Work in interdisciplinary team.
Social work in education in Croatia – perspectives and challenges.
Learning outcomes – general knowledge:
During this course students will be introduced with specific issues of school social workers area and
professional roles that social workers have in schools and pre-school institutions. Students will be able to
recognize different ethical principles of school social work profession, and populations at risk in schools and
preschool population. Also, will be introduced with monitoring and planning (interventions, programs) as well
as about negotiation, collaboration, counseling in the filed of school social work.
Learning outcomes – specific knowledge:
During this course students will achieve the knowledge and skills unique for the area of social work in
education (work in schools and pre-schools) as follows:
a) Competences for work with children and youth in purpose to meet the best conditions for their success on
both socialization and academic level;
b) Negotiation skills for establishing the cooperation between pre-schools, schools, families and local
communities;
c) Assessment skills for work with children with specific needs, interests and problems;
d) Social work practice in work with teachers and principles in schools and pre-schools (consultations,
counseling, collaboration);
e) School social work practice with families and local communities;
f) Organizational skills in purpose to realize different preventive programs in schools and pre-schools;
g) Skills for team work in pre-schools and schools.
Readings:
Constable, R., Massat, C.R., McDonald, S., & Flynn, J. (2006). School Social Work: Practice, Policy, and
Research. (6th Ed.), Chicago: Lyceum Press.
Dupper, D. R. (2003) School social work; skills & Interventions for effective Practice. John Wiley &Sons,
Inc. Hoboken. New Jersey.
Title of the course: INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Teacher: Professor Marina Ajduković
Teaching activity: Lectures combined with practical workshops. Conducting workshops with adolescents in a
school setting. Continued assessment of acquired knowledge and skills through the implementation of the
program and writing an essay. 45 hours per semester.
Eligibility: Elective course, M.A. level, winter semester
Workload: 5 ECTS
Exam: A critical essay about their experiences during the implementation of the preventive workshops
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course covers the topic of violence in intimate partner relationships of adolescents. The aim is to
familiarize the students with theoretical explanations, causes, forms, prevalence, incidence, and forms of
combating violence in intimate relationships and to develop their professional attitudes and skills that are
required for conducting prevention programs.
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Definition and forms of intimate partner violence and family violence. Intergenerational transfer of family
violence. The dynamics of intimate partner violence. Health, social and psychological consequences of
exposure to violence. Crisis interventions with victims of violence. Inter-professional cooperation and
networking of services for victims and perpetrators of violence. Experts’ attitudes and beliefs. Specificities of
violence in adolescent relationships. Preventive activities with adolescents. Gender and feminist perspective.
Contemporary research.
DEVELOPMENT OF GENERAL AND SPECIFIC SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Understanding intimate partner violence and family violence as a form of violation of basic human rights.
Understanding the causes and dynamics of intimate partner violence. Mastering the skills of recognizing
violence and establishing contact with the victim. Understanding the importance of prevention of violent
behaviors in relationships of adolescents, who are a group that students will often encounter in their future
professional work. Students will be enabled to develop and implement preventive workshops on intimate
partner violence in adolescent relationships.
LITERATURE:
1. Ajduković, D., Ajduković, M., Cesar, S., Kamenov, Ž., Löw A., Sušac, N. (2010) Prevention of
violence in adolescent relationships – Manual for program implementation. Zagreb: Društvo za
psihološku pomoć.
2. Fredland, N.M., Ricardo, I.B., Campbell, J.C., Sharps, P.W., Kub, J.K., Yonas, M. (2005). The
Meaning of Dating Violence in the Lives of Middle School Adolescents: A Report of a Focus Group
Study. Journal of School Violence, 4(2), 95-114.
3. Jonson-Reid, M., Scott, L.D.Jr., McMillen, J.C., Edmond, T. (2007). Dating violence among
emancipating foster youth. Children and Youth Services Review. 29, 557-571.
4. Josephson, W.L. and Proulx, J.B. (2008). Violence in Young Adolescents’ Relationships: A Path
Model. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 23(2), 189-208.
5. Ibabe, I., Jaureguizar, J., Diaz, O. (2009). Adolescent Violence against Parents. Is it really a
consequence of gender inequality? European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context. 1(1), 324.
6. Manganello, J.A. (2008). Teens, dating violence, and media use. A Review of the Literature and
Conceptual Model for Future Research. Trauma, Violence and Abuse. 9(1), 3-18.
7. Marcus, R.F. (2007). Aggression and Violence in Adolescence. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
8. Noonan, R.K. and Charles, D. (2009). Developing Teen Dating Violence Prevention Strategies.
Violence Against Women. 15(9), 1087-1105.
9. Pittman, A.L., Wolfe, D.A., Wekerle, C. (2000). Strategies for Evaluating Dating Violence Prevention
Programs. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. 4(1), 217-238.
10. Ruiz, J., Exposito, F. and Bonache, H. (2010). Adolescent witnesses in cases of teen dating violence:
an analysis of peer responses. The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context. 2(1),
37-53.
ADDITIONAL LITERATURE:
Current papers from domestic and international periodicals.
Current research.
Title of the course: HISTORY OF SOCIAL WORK
Teacher: Vanja Branica, Assistant professor
Eligibility: Elective course, B.A. level, summer semester
Workload: 3 ECTS
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