Social Mobility and Assets Building Approaches (SWK519)

SWK519 Social Mobility and Assets Building Approaches offers advanced-level social work students a detailed examination of the theories, policies, and practices pertinent to the promotion of social mobility and asset-building as effective strategies for long-term poverty alleviation and social inclusion. It incorporates both global and regional perspectives, with a particular focus on the policy framework of Singapore. Students will analyse the influence of various factors, including income security, education, employment, housing, savings, and social capital, on the capacity of individuals and families to escape poverty and enhance their life opportunities. The course introduces asset-based and capability-enhancing approaches that transition the focus from deficit and dependency to empowerment, investment, and inclusion. It also critically examines the ethical and structural dimensions of social inequality, as well as intergenerational disadvantage and social protection systems. Students will be tasked with evaluating and designing interventions that effectively integrate asset-building strategies with social work values, thereby contributing to sustainable development and social justice.

• Understanding social mobility
• Theoretical foundations – human capital, social capital, and capabilities
• Asset-based approach in social work
• Poverty, inequality and intergenerational disadvantage
• Asset-building strategies and policies
• Education and skills development as mobility drivers
• Employment, workforce, and economic participation
• Building financial capability and inclusion
• Social capital and community engagement – cross cultural consideration in the context
• Policy intervention – universal and target approaches
• Integrated practice for promoting social mobility – case study analysis
• Ethics, rights, and social justice in asset-building

• Critically analyse the concept of social mobility.
• Understand and evaluate asset-building frameworks and strategies.
• Assess the structural, cultural and policy factor that influence opportunities for upward mobility across different population groups in Singapore.
• Design strengths-based and asset enhancement interventions that support social mobility across life domains.
• Integrate social work ethics and values in promoting equitable access to resources, opportunities and sustainable well-being through policy advocacy and direct practice.
• Reflect critically on the professional and systematic challenges involved in integrated practice in collaborative work.