ISWS19HKI Introduction to Social Work (5cr)

Objective

The students will be able to
- know different definitions of and approaches to social work
- know the basic history of social work
- understand different approaches to ethics and values in social work
- understand the skills and competences of a Bachelor in Social Services and their relation to professional identity
- Know the relevant legislation
- reflect on the development of professional identity

Content

Contents
- Definitions of social work
- Different roles of social work in society
- History of social work
- Values and ethics in social work
- Skills and competences of a Bachelor in Social Services
- Relevant legislation
- Different fields of social work
- Development of professional identity

Location and time

- WEEK 46 Contact teaching
- WEEK 47 Contact teaching
- WEEK 48 Distant learning, independent group work, online lecture/workshop
- WEEK 49 Distant learning, independent group work, online lecture/workshop
- WEEK 50 Contact teaching, seminars
- A more detailed timetable will be given in the beginning of the course

Materials

Students should use the following books in the written assignment (the list of books will be confirmed at the beginning of the study module):
BOOKS RELATED TO SOCIAL WORK:
- Adams, Robert, Dominelli, Lena & Payne, Malcolm (eds.) 2009. Social work: themes, issues and critical debates. Third edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. (print copies only)
- Crisp, Beth 2016. Contemporary Social Work Studies: Spirituality and Social Work. Farnham: Ashgate.
- Davies, Martin 2013. Blackwell Companion to Social Work. Fourth edition. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Dulmus, Catherine N. and Sowers, Karen M. 2012. Social Work Fields of Practice: Historical Trends, Professional Issues, and Future Opportunities. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
- Dulmus, Catherine N. and Sowers, Karen M. 2012. The Profession of Social Work : Guided by History, Led by Evidence. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
BOOKS RELATED TO SOCIAL WORK ETHICS:
- Banks, Sarah 2006. Ethics and Values in Social Work. 3rd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. OR
- Gray, Mel & Webb. Stephen A. (Eds.) 2010. Ethics and Value Perspectives in Social Work. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. (print copies only)

Teaching methods

DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY MODULE:
- Students will learn about social and community work, professional ethics and the core skills required from the professional working in the field.
MODE OF LEARNING:
- Contact and online lectures, independent reading and independent field visits, group work, workshops, presentation of group worrk in the seminar, written group assignment.
ASSIGNMENT:
- There will be a group assignment. In the assignment students will familiarize themselves with social and/or community work done with either children and families, youth, adults, elderly, unemployed, immigrants or people with mental health//substance abuse problems. In the assignment the students will focus on the different services provided to one of the aforementioned groups by public, private and third sectors in one suburb in Helsinki.The students will also focus on the different skills needed from the professionals working in the field. A detailed description of the learning assignment will be given in the beginning of the study module.

Employer connections

Students should contact and interview professionals working in different organisations on public, private and third sector when carrying out the assignment. More precise information will be given at the beginning of the course.

Completion alternatives

Literature exam on re-exam date. Exam material to be confirmed at the beginning of the study module.

Further information

* The study unit requires skills to use Diak's online learning platform and ability to participate in online lectures.
* Possibility to get RPL (recognition of previous learning) if equivalent studies and study credits are carried out in a Finnish University or University of Applied Sciences.