SOWK 4903 – Photovoice as Intervention and Research Methodology

Project Summary

This COIL project links a University of Denver social work course, SOWK 4903: Photovoice as Intervention and Research Methodology, with National Taipei University’s Photovoice and Participatory Action Research course. Students in Denver and Taipei will work in small, cross-institution groups to design and carry out mini photovoice projects focused on social issues such as homelessness, mental health, disability, and other forms of social marginalization in their local contexts. Through sharing photos and story-based captions on a shared online platform, students will compare culture, social issues, and social work practice in Taiwan and the United States. The goal is to deepen intercultural understanding, build research and practice skills in participatory action research and photovoice, and explore how visual storytelling can inform social work practice, policy, and advocacy. The new iteration of the course will be in collaborative online international learning (COIL) collaboration with National Taipei University for the first time.

Project Length

• 7 Weeks

Learning Outcomes

• Students will practice newly acquired skills in an active, collaborative environment that emphasizes writing, visual storytelling, critical reflection, and intercultural communication.
• Students will identify and explain the theory, origins, principles, and ethical considerations of participatory action research and photovoice.
• Students will plan and implement a mini photovoice project, analyze photo and narrative data, and clearly communicate findings relevant to social work practice and policy.
• Students will connect photovoice and participatory action research to broader social work frameworks such as evaluation, advocacy, and community engagement across Taiwanese and U.S. contexts.
• Students will participate as an active member of an intercultural learning community by engaging in rigorous academic work and respectful, inclusive cross-cultural dialogue.
• Students will develop a commitment to ethical, precise, and culturally responsive use of images and stories to elevate community voices and promote social justice.

Technology Tools Used

• Zoom
• Google Docs
• Packback
• Perusall
• Padlet

Interaction Mode

• Synchronous
• Asynchronous