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IPS - Study Abroad Programs

Germany: Human Rights and Social Work within European Framework

This course examines human rights within a social work framework from a European perspective. The European focus is on Germany although discussion about Europe generally is also an important part of the course. The course provides students with an introduction to economic and political human rights in Europe, with a United States perspective integrated into the instruction. Field visits and course instruction illustrate human rights principles as they apply to social work. The location of Munich adds essential context to the study of human rights, as contemporary human rights arose from the history in this part of the world. The next course in May-June, 2010, will also include joint projects with German students from the University of Coburg, Germany. Participants have the opportunity to explore human rights that apply to their own experiences, as well as historical events. This course is ideal for undergraduate or graduate students in social work, but would also be suitable for students and non students interested in a general, cross-cultural introduction to human rights.

Short-term Program Details

Location:

Munich, Germany  The next course in May-June, 2010, will also include joint projects with German students from the University of Coburg, Germany.
Highlights:
  • Field visits to social work agencies in Munich, including visits to HIV-AIDS community center, child refugees, and women therapy center.
  • Five days at Coburg staying with German students from the University of Coburg and working on joint projects. In addition, time at Coburg will include trip to former concentration camp and visit to a city formerly divided in the middle by barriers during the East-West German conflict.
  • Visits to historical museums.
  • Other trips during the course include a trip to Nuremburg and the human rights center at Nuremburg.
  • Students need to examine the particular syllabus for the course they select for specific information as to course content. This syllabus is available on the website noted below about three months before the course occurs.
Dates:

May 29 – June 10, 2010 or January 4 - 11, 2011
Courses:
  • SOCW 478A International Social Work for students registering through SIUC—3 credit hours
  • Elective or independent study for non-SIUC students
  • Continuing education credits available for professionals
  • Students need to examine the particular syllabus for the program they select for specific information as to course content and field visits. This syllabus is available on the website noted below about three months before the course occurs.
Level of Study:

Graduate or undergraduate
Eligibility:

Open to all disciplines. No language or other prerequisites

Staff:

Program Director: Elisabeth Reichert, MSW, Ph.D., Professor,

School of Social Work
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Dr. Reichert has written extensively on human rights and social work policy and practice:
http://socialwork.siuc.edu/resourcecenter/Bookndpaper.htm

Dr. Reichert holds social work degrees from both Germany and the United States.
SIUC Sponsor:

SIUC School of Social Work, College of Education and Human Services
Number of Participants:

Minimum: 8 Maximum: 20
Program Fee:

The program fee is $2,000, which does not include tuition. This fee does not include airfare from the US to Germany. Students must arrange their own airfare/transportation to Munich. The program fee includes all necessary transportation relating to the course (e.g., field visits) within Germany, accommodation, and a small stipend for meals. The January program fee is expected to be similar.
Other Costs:

Tuition for three credit hours, which is currently $984 for graduate students and $729 for undergraduates. Costs of airfare, passports, laundry and other personal expenses are also additional to the program fee.

Financial Aid:
  • Financial aid is available for SIUC students and requires full-time registration and other conditions.
  • Two $500 scholarships are available for SIUC undergraduate students.
  • Students from other institutions should contact their home university for financial aid procedures. SIUC does not provide any financial aid or scholarship for non-SIUC students. However, SIUC works with other universities to assist non-SIUC students to arrange payment of any financial aid they receive from their own universities.
Housing:

Accommodation is in a hostel, centrally located in the city of Munich, and residences of German students when in Coburg.

Transportation:

Participants must arrange their own transportation from the United States to Munich. The program then covers all transportation necessary for field visits. Participants also receive a metro pass for Munich, which can be used for personal trips around Munich, as well as field visits.
Website / Resources:

See website.  http://socialwork.siuc.edu/germany/

Additional Information:

Please see program website.
Application Deadline:

Applications for the May course should be received by SIUC no later than March 31, 2010. The application must be accompanied by a $250 deposit, which is refundable until March 31, 2010. After this date, the deposit is no longer refundable.

Application:

Short-term Application for all SIUC programs (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

The application may be completed using Adobe Acrobat and then printed out for signature or simply printed and then completed. Please contact us if you have any problems opening the file. You will need to indicate your program name and location. Please submit a non-refundable deposit of $250 made payable to SIUC. Submit applications to Study Abroad Programs, Mail Code 6885, Room B-233 Northwest Annex, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale IL 62901
E-mail: studyabr@siu.edu, Tel: 618-453-7670.
Contact:

Dr. Elisabeth Reichert, Professor, reichert@siu.edu; Tel. 618-453-2243

Trevor Gates, LCSW, MSW, Ph.D. candidate, Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Chicago, trevorgates@yahoo.com

 

The information contained here - including costs, program dates and program arrangements - is subject to change by the program sponsors and host institutions. There may also be changes once a program or exchange has started due to factors beyond our control. Please check with our office for the latest information.