A Social Work International Field Studies and Consent Café Collaboration
SOCW 3300: International Field Studies (India) is inspired by TRU BSW graduate Sabreet Ghumman’s description of her Consent Café experience and reason for her invitation. She said “through mentorship and encouragement, I developed a social work lens that helped me better understand communities and find my voice. I am a reflection of what that kind of support can nurture—both personally and professional” (Rathje, 2026, para. 21). SOCW 3300 will introduce students to social work practice in Northern India and consider the role of social work practice in advancing equity, improving access to services, and addressing systemic barriers experienced by marginalized communities. Students will engage critically with their developing knowledge of social work in India, reflect on the CASWE Code of Ethics in domestic and international contexts, and especially their commitment to culturally safe social work care. Students will be provided opportunity to reflect on their own intersecting experiences of privilege and subjugation as well as their unique ways of knowing and being. Students will also be expected to consider their experiences and learning within the framework of social work practice and the Canadian Association of Social Workers 2024 Code of Ethics, Values and Guidelines.