Photo1: Prof. Sun Fei engages with social work students participating inthe course.
Toenhance the gerontological social work curriculum and broadenstudents' international perspectives, the School of Sociology andHumanities at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics (JUFE)invited Professor Sun Fei from Michigan State University to deliver aspecialized 16-hour course. This intensive program, commencing onJune 19, 2025, was designed for students in the Social Work (DigitalSocial Governance) Class 231 and Class 232.
ProfessorSun commenced the course by facilitating an interactive discussioncentered on the "Core Concerns of Social Welfare." Thisapproach seamlessly introduced theoretical concepts, including thedefinition of social welfare, frameworks for policy analysis, and thehistorical development of the U.S. social welfare system, effectivelyfostering the integration of learning and critical thinking.
Thefocus then shifted to the "U.S. Social Security System",ProfessorSun deepened students' comparative policy understanding through amulti-faceted approach: reviewing foundational knowledge,facilitating comparative discussions on healthcare insurancechallenges faced by China and the U.S., and incorporating documentaryfilm analysis.
Finally,the course delved into U.S. Medicare/Medicaid policies andgerontological social service practices. Professor Sun vividlydemonstrated the pathway connecting research and service through adetailed case study of his own dementia care program.
TheQ&A session proved highly engaging. Students actively raisedquestions concerning policy localization and service ethics.Professor Sun provided detailed responses, drawing insightfulparallels and contrasts between U.S. and Chinese practices, resultingin lively and substantive interaction.
Groundedin interactive reflection, case study analysis, and practicalsharing, the course successfully created an internationalizedlearning environment. Enthusiastic interaction occurred both duringand after the sessions.
Studentswidely reported finding the course innovative and content-rich. Theyhighlighted its effectiveness in broadening their internationaloutlook and significantly enhancing their understanding ofgerontological social work policies and practical application skills.
TheSchool remains committed to deepening international collaboration,introducing high-quality global resources, and cultivating socialwork professionals equipped with an international vision and robustpractical abilities, thereby advancing disciplinary innovation andservice development.
Text/ Hong Lumin, Ouyang Yiwei
Photo/ Cai Yuxing
