Graduate Education Institute · Social Work · Doctorate
Course Objective
Course Objective:
This course aims to integrate the historical, philosophical, and legal foundations of human rights with the social work perspective and to enable students to develop an understanding of rights-based social work and the skills necessary to apply this approach in practice. Human rights will be addressed not merely as a body of legal norms, but as universal values that protect human dignity, promote social justice, and regulate the relationship between individuals and society.
A distinctive feature of the course is its critical examination of “rights-based,” “charity-based,” and “obligation-based” approaches within social work practice. By exploring the differences among these three approaches, students will develop an understanding that human rights are neither privileges granted to individuals nor acts of benevolence provided by the state, but inherent rights that every person possesses by virtue of being human and that must be protected. Within this framework, the rights-based, ethical, and eclectic nature of social work will be emphasized.
The course also examines the transformative effects of industrialization, digitalization, and globalization on human life and considers the ways in which individuals may experience human rights violations at the micro (individual), mezzo (family and community), and macro (national and international) levels.
Contemporary issues of growing importance—including migration and refugee crises, justice concerns arising from climate change, post-pandemic inequalities, ageing and the protection of vulnerable groups, as well as privacy, ethics, and data security in the age of digitalization and artificial intelligence—constitute key areas of focus in the course. Through these topics, students will be encouraged to approach human rights from both theoretical and practical perspectives and to internalize a rights-based approach in social work practice.
Course Content
This course covers the historical development of human rights throughout human history and the relationship between these developments and the social work profession. The concept of human rights will be examined within the framework of the ecological systems approach, and the relationship between individuals and human rights will be discussed at the micro (individual), mezzo (family and community), and macro (national and international) levels.
Particular attention will be given to “rights-based,” “charity-based,” and “obligation-based” approaches and their different implications for social work practice at the individual, family, and societal levels. Within this context, the course aims to foster a human-centered, eclectic, and rights-based perspective among social workers.
The course will examine universal fundamental human rights instruments, constitutions and legislation, as well as national and international conventions. The roles of institutions and organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the European Union (EU) in the protection and promotion of human rights will also be discussed.
In addition, in light of contemporary global developments, the course will address migration and refugee crises, justice issues arising from climate change, post-pandemic inequalities, ageing and the protection of vulnerable groups, as well as privacy, ethics, and data security in the age of digitalization and artificial intelligence. Through these topics, students will develop an understanding of human rights not merely as a theoretical body of norms, but as a dynamic field that provides a holistic framework for social work practice through an ecological systems perspective.
Required Resources
· Albayrak, H., Selçuk, O., Kelebek Küçükarslan, G., & Ceylan, G. (2026). “Access gaps as drivers of vulnerability”—Access to social services for refugees through the lens of vulnerability: An intersectional analysis in Türkiye. The British Journal of Social Work, bcag100. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcag100
· Canatan, K. (2014). İnsan fenomeni: İnsan doğası hakkında dinî ve felsefi soruşturmalar. Açılım Kitap.
· Carvalho, M. I., & Albuquerque, C. (2025). Human rights-based social work perspective, ethics, and practice: An exploratory literature review. Journal of Human Rights and Social Work, 10, 647–661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-025-00393-9
· Çoban Kaynak, R. (2017). Sosyal adalet, eşitlik ve sosyal hizmet. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 6(4), 252–260.
· Gedik, M. (2020). Sosyal hizmetlerde hak temelli yaklaşım. Çekmece İZÜ Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 8(16), 28–57.
· Gedik, M. (2021). AHSEN sosyal hizmet modeli: İslâmî sosyal hizmet yaklaşımı. Efe Akademi Yayınları.
· Gómez-Ciriano, E. J., Martínez-Herrero, I., & Cummins, I. (Eds.). (2026). Human rights in social work: Key themes for an emerging paradigm in education, practice and research. Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.56687/9781447374145
· Güngör, F. (2016). İnsan hakları ve sosyal hizmet. İstanbul Üniversitesi Açık ve Uzaktan Eğitim Fakültesi.
· Güngör, F. (2019). Hakkın elinden tutmak: İnsan haklarını yeniden düşünmek. Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.
· Ife, J. (2017). İnsan hakları ve sosyal hizmet: Hak temelli bir uygulamaya doğru. Nika Yayınevi.
· Ife, J. (2021). Human rights and social work: Towards rights-based practice (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
· Teater, B. (2015). Sosyal hizmet kuram ve yöntemleri: Uygulama için bir giriş. Nika Yayınevi.
· Thompson, N. (2016). Kuram ve uygulamada sosyal hizmeti anlamak (3. bs.; B. Yıldırım, Çev.). Dipnot Yayınları.
· United Nations. (1994). Human rights and social work: A manual for schools of social work and the social work profession. United Nations Centre for Human Rights.
Zengin, O., & Altındağ, Ö. (2016). Bir insan hakları mesleği olarak sosyal hizmet. Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet, 27(1), 179–190.
Recommended Resources
· Acar, H., Negiz, N., & Akman, E. (2013). Sosyal politika ve kamu yönetimi bileşenleriyle sosyal hizmet: Temelleri ve uygulama alanları. Maya Akademi.
· Akkuş, P., & Başpınar Aktükün, Ö. (2014). Sosyal hizmet ve öteki: Disiplinlerarası bir yaklaşım. Bağlam Yayınları.
· Armağan, S. (2015). İslâm hukukunda temel hak ve hürriyetler. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı Yayınları.
· Duran, R. (2026). Social workers’ concerns about artificial intelligence: The mediating role of ethics and innovation. Journal of Social Work. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173261435140
· Hammarberg, T. (2012). Avrupa’da insan hakları. İletişim Yayınları.
· Kaffrell-Lindahl, A. (2025). Social work and climate change: The split between the personal and the professional. European Journal of Social Work, 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/2156857X.2025.2499603
· Köse, S. (2018). İslam hukukunda hakkın kötüye kullanılması. Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı İslâm Araştırmaları Merkezi Yayınları.
· Muzaffar, C. (2004). İnsan hak(sızlık)ları: İnsan haklarını yeniden düşünmek. Pınar Yayınları.
· Şahin Taşğın, N. (2017). Yoksulluk, insan hakları ve sosyal hizmetler. Nika Yayınevi.
· Thornicroft, G. (2014). Toplumun reddettiği: Ruhsal hastalığı olan insanlara karşı ayrımcılık. Şizofreni Dernekleri Federasyonu
Explanations
The course “SHZ 305 / Human Rights and Social Work” will be conducted through theoretical lectures as well as practical activities and assignments. Between weeks 9–14, students will work on individual and/or group projects based on the assignment topics determined within the scope of the course, and the lessons will be organized around these themes. The assignment topics will be shared with students during the first week of the course, and group distributions will be finalized at that time.
For each class, the specified “Preliminary Preparation” topics will require students to conduct weekly literature reviews and to examine up-to-date human rights documents (e.g., UN reports, ECHR rulings, UNHCR and UNICEF publications, TBMM policy documents). Students are expected to come to class prepared, having engaged with these materials.
All lecture materials, presentations, and supplementary resources will be made available to students via the Campus Information System (KBS) under the “Materials” section.
Class attendance is compulsory at a minimum of 70%. Attendance will be considered in the overall course evaluation; students who fail to meet the attendance requirement will not have their assignments or exam grades considered valid.
Rules
Reminders on Course Attendance
A minimum of 70% attendance is compulsory for this course.
By the Midterm (Week 8):
Students with attendance below 70% will receive a 15% grade deduction from their course grade.
Students with attendance below 50% will be considered unsuccessful and will not be eligible for a valid semester grade.
By the Final (Week 16):
Students with total attendance below 70% will not be allowed to take the exam, and their assignments will be deemed invalid.
Participation in a group project alone is not sufficient; each student will be assessed individually based on their own attendance record.
Students are expected to review the assigned “Preliminary Preparation” topics each week, conduct literature reviews, and analyze current reports before coming to class.
Reminders on Assignments
Both individual and group assignments will be prepared during the course. In group work, students may receive different grades depending on their level of contribution.
Midterm (Ara Sınav) substitute: Individual or group assignments must be submitted digitally in Word format (docx).
Final substitute: Assignments will be presented in class as PowerPoint presentations.
Assignments will be accepted only in digital format. Hard copies will be required only if specified by the instructor.
All assignments must follow the IZU Thesis Writing Guidelines.
Plagiarism Check
All submitted assignments will be checked through the TURNITIN plagiarism detection program.
Assignments with a plagiarism rate below 20% will be evaluated.
Assignments with a plagiarism rate above 20% will be subject to grade deductions proportionate to the rate.
For further information on plagiarism, see: Plagiarism Awareness Video.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Explains the fundamental concepts, theoretical approaches, and conceptual framework related to human rights and social work.
- Evaluates human rights issues analytically and critically from a social work perspective.
- Integrates theoretical knowledge of human rights with professional social work practice.
- Evaluates the significance of social justice, equality, human dignity, and a rights-based approach in social work.
- Analyzes the roles of social policy, advocacy, and social work in the protection and promotion of human rights.
- Recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and working with different institutions in addressing human rights issues.
- Compares “rights-based,” “charity-based,” and “obligation-based” approaches and evaluates the importance of rights-based practice in social work.
- Explains the ethical principles and professional responsibilities of social work in the context of human rights and relates them to social work practice.
- Evaluates human rights comparatively in terms of national and international developments at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels within the framework of the ecological systems approach.
Core Area Distribution
Teaching Methods
Assessment & Evaluation
ECTS / Workload
| Activity | Quantity | Duration (h) | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration (Including Exam Week) | 15 | 2 | 30 |
| Out of Class Study Period | 15 | 3 | 45 |
| Midterm | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assignment | 2 | 20 | 40 |
| Practice | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Final | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Course Schedule
| Week | Subject | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | • Introduction / Orientation • Presentation of the Course Content (Course Information Form) • Information on Midterm and Final Examinations | No preliminary preparation required |
| 2 | Foundations of Social Work, Social Policy, and Human Rights • Definition of the Human • The necessity of addressing Social Work and Social Policy from the perspective of “Service to the Human | What is Human? • The Bio-Psycho-Social Concept of the Human • The Concept of Rights and the Human |
| 3 | Theoretical Approaches in Social Work • Theories and Models of Social Work • Practical Applications of Theoretical Approaches | Theoretical Approaches in Social Work and Human Rights |
| 4 | Fundamental Principles of Social Policy and Contemporary Issues • Main components and objectives of social policy • The policy-making process and interactive factors | Fundamental Principles of Social Policy and Human Rights |
| 5 | Ethical and Professional Responsibilities of Social Work in the Context of Human Rights and Social Policy • Ethical principles in social policy and social work practices | Ethical Principles and Human Rights |
| 6 | Intervention Methods in Social Policy and Social Work from a Human Rights Perspective: Preventive and Protective Approach • Micro, Mezzo, and Macro intervention techniques • Crisis intervention and emergency management | Preventive and Protective Approach in Social Policy and Social Work |
| 7 | Social Justice and Equality (Contemporary Issues) • The concept of human rights and social justice; challenges in practice • Equality and rights-based approaches | Social Justice, Equality, and Human Rights |
| 8 | Midterm Examination Week | Midterm Examination Preparations |
| 9 | Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity in Social Work • Diversity, intercultural interaction, and empathy • Culturally sensitive intervention strategies | Intercultural Interaction in Human Rights, Social Policy, and Social Work |
| 10 | Human Rights and Social Policy Analysis and Evaluation • Policy analysis methods and tools • Policy impact assessment and outcomes | International Human Rights and Social Policy Analyses |
| 11 | Social Work and Special Fields in the Context of Human Rights I • Social policy and social work practices in the fields of health and education • Specific intervention techniques and strategies | Special Areas of Human Rights and Social Policy |
| 12 | Social Work and Special Fields in the Context of Human Rights II • Poverty and employment • Poverty alleviation and employment policies • Social protection and support programs | Special Areas of Human Rights and Social Policy |
| 13 | Interinstitutional Cooperation and Networking • Interinstitutional cooperation and coordination in social policy and social work • Network building and cross-sectoral partnerships | Interinstitutional Relations in Social Policy and Social Work |
| 14 | International and Comparative Social Policy and Social Work • Social policy and social work practices in different countries • International standards of social policy and social work, and comparative analyses | International and Comparative Social Policy and Social Work |
| 15 | Course Conclusion and General Evaluation • Review and discussion of the acquired knowledge • Recommendations for the future and pathways for professional development | Evaluation of the semester’s courses together with the students |
| 16 | Estimated Final Examination Week | Final Examination Preparations |