Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module SOCI40115: Advanced Social Work

Department: Applied Social Sciences

SOCI40115: Advanced Social Work

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2015/16 Module Cap
Tied to L5K380

Prerequisites

  • Foundations for Social Work (SOCI30340); Introductory Social Work (SOCI40230); Social Work Practice I (SOCI40030)

Corequisites

  • Social Work Practice 2 (SOCI40130); Research in Social Work (SOCI40245)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • This module is designed to enable students to extend their knowledge, understanding and application of social work theory and methods within appropriate legislative, policy and organisational frameworks and contexts.

Content

  • There will be 3 distinct units within the module, as follows:
  • 1. Policy into Practice;
  • 2. Theory into Practice; and
  • 3. Advanced Practice in Children's Services and Adults' Services;

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module you will:
  • Be able to demonstrate a systematic understanding and application of :
  • The scope and functions of i) social work with children and families, and ii) community care;
  • The legislative basis for interventions with children and families and with vulnerable adults and their carers;
  • Contemporary policy in social work with children and families and in community care;
  • Social work theories and methods and evidence of their effectiveness in working with individuals, families, groups and communities;
  • The role of the social worker in the context of structures and processes that promote partnership working with service users, carers, and inter-disciplinary and inter-agency working; and
  • The principles and value base of social work that inform ethical practice in a context of changing demands on social workers.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Be able to demonstrate skills in:
  • The integration of theory and research and their application in social work interventions; and
  • Verbal presentation of their role in assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation, and the social work theory and research that have informed the chosen method of intervention.
Key Skills:

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module learning outcomes will be achieved through a range of direct teaching, presentations from visiting lecturers, from practice, student group discussion and individual student presentation.
  • Knowledge, understanding and skills will be assessed through:
  • an individual presentation of a case study demonstrating application of social work theory and research in practice;
  • written report of the same case study.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Practicals 25 Short block followed by weekly 2 50
Preparation and Reading 100
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Assessment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Peer assessed Individual presentation of project 20%
Written report of project 80%

Formative Assessment:

None.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University