ISWMS25HKI Introduction to Social Work and Social Services (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The students will be able to:
• understand different definitions of and approaches to social work
• describe the history of social work
• Know the Finnish social service system and social work available in different life situations
• understand the relevant legislation related to social services and social work in Finland
• Understand the possible work roles of bachelor of social services in the working life
• know professional ethics and values in social work
• know the required competences of a Bachelor of Social Services and their relation to social service work practice
• Understand the concept and development of professional identity

Content

• Definitions of social work
• History of social work
• Different fields of social work and social services
• Work roles and competences of bachelors of social services in the working life
• Relevant legislation
• Values and ethics in social work
• professional identity

Materials

Reading materials to be used in the group assignment consist of lectures, social welfare act and other relevant legislation and the following literature (will be updated by the beginning of the study module):
Banks S. & Westoby P. (Eds.). (2019). Equity and Community Development. Policy Press.

Green L. & Carey M. (Eds.). (2013). Social Work Ethics: Complex Dilemmas Within Applied Social Care. Taylor & Francis Group.

Doel, M. (2023). Social Work: the Basics. Taylor & Francis Group.

Parrott, L. (2010). Values and Ethics in Social Work Practice. SAGE Publications.

Payne, M. (2015) What is Professional Social Work? Policy Press

Poulin, J. & Matis, S. (2019). Social Work Practice: A Competency-Based Approach. Springer Publishing Company.

Talentia (2019). Work, Values and Ethics. Ethical guidelines for social welfare professionals.

Teaching methods

Introduction to Social Work (ISW) study module consists of orientation lecture, other lectures, field work in small groups, guidance on group work, alumni seminar & final seminar

Attendance to the orientation and final seminar is compulsory.

Employer connections

Students will interview social service work professionals in public, private and third sector in different fields of social services.

Exam schedules

The seminar will take place at the end of the study module.

Alternative way of completeing the study module should be completed by the end of the semester when the study module takes place.

Completion alternatives

Alternative way of completing the study module is only possible upon specific circumstances/criteria (i.e. sickness etc.). Personal reasons such as travel and work are not considered as acceptable criteria.

Alternative way of completing the study module must be agreed with the responsible lecturer and/or study guidance counselor two weeks before the beginning of the study module.

In this study module the alternative way of completing the study module consists of an exam to be taken on any general exam day, interviewing social service work professional working in the field and commenting the seminar presentations written by five groups.

The literature for the exam will be given by the teachers.

Student workload

The study module is 5 credits and it is divided as follows:

* Lectures and seminars: 1,5 credits (40 hours)
* Group work on the assignment: 3,5 credits (95 hours)

Further information

RPL can only be accepted with studies in the Finnish University or University of applied sciences due to the fact that the study module covers Finnish legislation and Finnish social service system.