Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago has a unique campus in Rome, Italy, where graduate social work classes have been taught for the past five summers. The Rome Center is a 20 minute bus ride from the Vatican. During the 2008 summer, current students may choose from two courses planned for offering in May and June. Each class is three credit hours. For those with an M.S.W. degree, this is a wonderful opportunity to earn 24 CEUs or course credit hours. The classes generally meet four days a week, for four hours a day. Afternoons and weekends are free to explore Rome or take advantage of additional learning options. Housing is available at the Rome Center where the classes are taught or you can secure housing off campus.

The two courses that will be offered at the Rome Center in the summer of 2008 are:

Course 610: Child and Family Well-Being
Instructor: Terri Kilbane, Ph.D.
Contact: 312-915-7026; tkilban@luc.edu
Dates: May 26 to June 5, 2008

The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified in 1990, sets out the rights that must be realized for children to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. In the United States protecting children from abuse and neglect has been codified by both the federal government through the mandated reporter law and the states through various systems of child welfare. In addition to concrete needs  such as housing, food and security, mental health issues are important variables for the well-being of children and families. Studying child and family well-being in Rome provides a setting in which to look at these issues from an international perspective. This perspective is appropriate given global travel, multi-culturalism within countries and the continual emergence of new forms of abuse and neglect such as child trafficking. The course will specifically look at child and family well-being in the United States, Italy, and developing countries through definitions of child abuse and neglect, mandated reporting, private and public structures contributing to well-being, and outcomes of prevention programs.

Course: 634: Migration Dynamics and U.S. Policy
Instructor: Maria Vidal de Haymes, Ph.D.
Contact: 312-915-7580; mvidal@luc.edu
Dates: May 19 to May 29, 2008

The UN estimates that one in every 35 persons worldwide is residing outside of their country of birth.  Nowhere is the trend of migration more marked than in the U.S., which receives more immigrants and refugees than any other nation.  The impact of migration can be observed at all levels of society, from the more complex institutions of government, the market, and civil society, to the most basic institution of the family. This course offers an exploration into some of the social policy and social welfare concerns associated with contemporary migration.  This exploration is grounded in an understanding of: major historical and contemporary trends in migration; the social and economic causes and consequences of migration; public policy regarding migration and the rights of immigrants; and the roles of governmental and nongovernmental local, national and international organizations. While the course will primarily address migration as it relates to the U.S., the course will incorporate some comparative readings and observation visits focused on understanding the impact of migration in Europe and their efforts to integrate migrants. 

Note:  This course is the first of three required for the Migration Studies sub-specialty.  It can also be counted as a policy elective.  There are no prerequisites.