Global Perspectives on Violence Against Women: A Study of a Social Work Elective During COVID-19

The purpose of this study was to glean understanding of student learning, global perspectives, and self-care in an elective that explored violence against women in diverse contexts. The study consisted of a survey with quantitative measures of global perspectives and self-care, and discussion groups conducted at four time-points. Results from the quantitative analysis showed significant increases for two global perspectives subscales and a slight (nonsignificant) increase in self-care frequency. Thematic analysis of qualitative data generated three themes: (a) forging connections, (b) learning in a global pandemic, and (c) grappling with preconceptions. The findings highlight the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities for integrating critical global perspectives, and need for an explicit decolonizing framework to guide instructors and students.