Module SOCI41530: Introductory Social Work Studies

Department: Applied Social Sciences

SOCI41530: Introductory Social Work Studies

Prerequisites

• Contemporay Social Work.

Corequisites

• Perspectives on Social Research; Policy Related and Evaluation Research; Dissertation; plus either Qualititative Research Methods in the Social Sciences or Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• The module aims to:
• Equip students with an understanding of how social work and social welfare is delivered in the UK
• Develop reflective practitioners who are able to critically appraise social work theories and methods within the political and statutory contexts of social welfare in the UK
• Provide students with an insight into the range of organisational contexts and settings in which social work is practised in the UK.

Content

• The module comprises of the following topic areas:
• Theories and methods of social work practice
• Theories of human growth and development
• Models of organisational and partnership working
• The contribution of social work to an increasingly interdisciplinary field of professional practice in the UK.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will be able to:
• Critically evaluate the theories and methods which underpin the process of social work assessment and intervention
• Describe the key stages of human growth and development and understand how these impact on the need for social welfare of individuals and communities
• Critically appraise models of partnership and interdisciplinary working
• Draw together all the above elements of the module into a coherent theoretical framework for understanding the delivery of social welfare services.

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

• Modes of teaching, learning and assessment are designed to ensure an appropriate balance of: Imparting knowledge through didactic teaching
• Imparting knowledge through didactic teaching
• Facilitating the integration of understanding and skill application through small group work, problem based and exchange based learning methods
• Further development of critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and effective argumentation through critically reflective assignments.
• Knowledge skills and understanding will be assessed through two academic essays. The first of these will focus on the application of social work theories and methods to a social problem of the student's choice.
• The second essay will require students to focus on a user group of their choice who are in receipt of social services and discuss at least two frameworks for understanding human growth and development issues that apply.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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