PCOMK26HKI Professional Communication in Social Work Practice (3cr)

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Objective

The students will be able to:
• Know the process of client work
• Understand the elements of effective communication with service users
• use basic interviewing skills when working with service users face-to-face and online
• apply solution-focused approach with diverse service users
• communicate in challenging situations in client work

Content

• Process of client work
• elements of effective communication with service users
• Basic professional interviewing skills in face-to-face and online interactions with service users
• Solution-focused approach
• Communication in challenging situations in client work

Materials

In addition to lectures the following literature will be used:

Bailey, M. & Gast, L. (2014). Mastering Communication in Social Work : From Understanding to Doing. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Corcoran, J. (2011). Helping Skills for Social Work Direct Practice. Oxford University Press. (Pages 3-59).

Higham, P. (2019). Communication and interviewing skills for practice in social work, counselling and the health professions. Taylor & Francis Group.

Rosenberg, M. (n.d.) Nonviolent Communication. A Language of Life. Second Edition. PuddleDancer Press.

Tracy A. Prout, P., & Melanie J. Wadkins, P. (2014). Essential Interviewing and Counseling Skills : An Integrated Approach to Practice. Springer Publishing Company. (Chapters 5, 6 and 7)

The literature will be confirmed by the beginning of the study module.

Teaching methods

PCO study module consists of independent orientation assignments (reading and writing), orientation lecture, additional lectures both on campus and in Zoom, group work and seminar.

Students will record videos of their own professional communication skills. The videos will be watched and analysed in the seminar.

Attendance to the study module is compulsory. Student can miss one lecture without having to compensate it. Other absences must be compensated.

Exam schedules

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

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 teacher and/or study guidance counselor two weeks before the beginning of the study module the latest.

Alternative way of completing the study module consists of:

Independent orientation assignment
7-page essay
Making a 10-minute long recording of student's own use of professional communication skills in an imaginary client situation.
Commenting 5 videos done by other students.

Student workload

The study module is 3 credits which equals 81 hours of student's work.

Orientation assignment & lectures and seminar: 2 credits
:
Group work: making the videos: 1 credit