2026 Global Social Work Midterm Question 1
1. Please watch the Ted talk by Philip Zimbardo:
https://www.ted.com/talks/philip_zimbardo_the_psychology_of_evil
a. Name four characteristics of social systems that can pressure good people to do very bad things.
b. Zimbardo also describes how some people manage to resist systemic pressures; they are "heroes." Name one hero in your own country, what the person did, and what makes the person a hero.
2025 Global Social Work Midterm
Imagine you want to raise children or help parents who want to raise children who will:
a. never murder,
b. not regard persons experiencing poverty as inferior or causing their own problems,
c. understand individuals need to be able to disagree and respect their disagreements and also see themselves as inherently interdependent with their cultural community.
What four key guidelines from our readings and discussions would you use to accomplish that goal?
2025 Global Social Work Midterm
Question 2
Consider how the Vieques project, the Dancing in Jaffa project, and Muhammad Yunus’ precept of using “imagination” all can be examples of advancing peace and social justice using the arts and transforming social narratives. Recall also the Malence Ted Talk about teaching persons who experience poverty to be clothing designers so they can become entrepreneurs without reinforcing negative stereotypes and exploitation of Africa’s bountiful resources (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtYVqpylLhs).
a. a) Describe the principles for building justice-focused arts interventions that you see as key, based on those examples.
b. b) Briefly describe an arts-based, justice-focused project you could implement or have seen implemented in your country.
2025 Global Social Work Midterm
Question 1:
Consider Grodofsky’s paper about creating peace-building centers staffed by social workers allied with lawyers and the Dibbets et al. paper about human rights based practice. Now consider your country and areas where human rights-oriented peace-building efforts with specific local advocacy are especially needed. Briefly describe
a) the conflict or problem you believe needs to be addressed and
b) a center that exists in your country, or a center you would like to create, or a center that exists in another country that you would like to import.
You can ally with professionals from any speciality, such as lawyers, physicians, dentists, physical therapists, media experts, etc. Describe how you would use the global social work principles you have been learning to combine human rights-based practice with advocacy.
