Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Introduction to Social Work and Professional Ethics
Course Code
LUSDK_205
Branch of Science
Social Politics and Organisation of Social Work; Sociology and social work
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Social Welfare and Social Work
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ārija Baltiņa
Structure Unit Manager
Liāna Deklava
Structural Unit
Department of Rehabilitation
Contacts
Riga, 26a Anninmuizas boulevard, socdk@rsu.lv, +371 67061575
About Study Course
Objective
To build understanding of students of the Department of Welfare and Social Work of social work as a cross-disciplinary profession, to build understanding of social work directions, to familiarise with examples of practice, to discuss the concept of social work in the context of Latvia and the world, to familiarise with target groups of social work, the professional code of ethics, mentioning different examples, as well as its application in situations of ethical dilemmas.
Preliminary Knowledge
Not necessary.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.After a successful mastering of the study course the student: • acquires knowledge of the international definition of social work and the definition of social work defined in Latvia; • names and describes social work directions; • recognises and describes the tasks of social work professionals, marks professional boundaries; • names and describes social problems; • names professional codes of ethics for social workers in at least 3 countries; • lists the principles of the code of ethics of a social worker; • names target groups of a social worker; • describes the breakdown of ethical dilemmas.
Skills
1.After a successful mastering of the study course the student will be able: • to analyse the definition of social work by highlighting key concepts; • to apply the social worker’s professional code of ethics; • to analyse the possibilities for dealing with ethical dilemmas; to rationalise the use of the chosen solution; • to list target groups of social work; • to list possible jobs of a social worker; • to identify current social problems in Latvia and in the world; • to identify personal and professional values; • to explain how personal experience affects professional judgments and evaluations.
Competences
1.Will be able to describe the objectives and tasks of the social work profession; to understand the role and necessity of the social work profession in promoting and defending social justice, diversity and human rights.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
Studying literature sources, getting to know researches, performing practical tasks, working in groups, test work.
|
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
Attendance – 25%; group work – 25%; individual tasks – 25%; test – 25%.
|
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social work as a cross-disciplinary profession. Definitions of social work. Directions of social work practice in Latvia.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social work as a cross-disciplinary profession. Definitions of social work. Directions of social work practice in Latvia.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Global and local social problems and trends in the context of SW practice directions, national level documents, which define different priorities.
Practice levels, specialisations and target groups, potential jobs for a social worker.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Global and local social problems and trends in the context of SW practice directions, national level documents, which define different priorities.
Practice levels, specialisations and target groups, potential jobs for a social worker.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social work professionals.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social work professionals.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Concept, description of a social problem, breakdown of social problems.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Concept, description of a social problem, breakdown of social problems.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Understanding of ethics. Professional ethics.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Understanding of ethics. Professional ethics.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical matters, dilemmas. Resolution of dilemmas.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical matters, dilemmas. Resolution of dilemmas.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Possibilities of resolution of dilemmas (presentations of students).
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Possibilities of resolution of dilemmas (presentations of students).
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Possibilities of resolution of dilemmas (presentations of students).
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Possibilities of resolution of dilemmas (presentations of students).
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social work as a cross-disciplinary profession. Definitions of social work. Directions of social work practice in Latvia.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social work as a cross-disciplinary profession. Definitions of social work. Directions of social work practice in Latvia.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Global and local social problems and trends in the context of SW practice directions, national level documents, which define different priorities.
Practice levels, specialisations and target groups, potential jobs for a social worker.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Global and local social problems and trends in the context of SW practice directions, national level documents, which define different priorities.
Practice levels, specialisations and target groups, potential jobs for a social worker.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social work professionals.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social work professionals.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical matters, dilemmas. Resolution of dilemmas.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical matters, dilemmas. Resolution of dilemmas.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Possibilities of resolution of dilemmas (presentations of students).
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
-
|
2
|
Topics
|
Possibilities of resolution of dilemmas (presentations of students).
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
20 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Beckett, C., Maynard, A., Jordan, P. Values and ethics in social work. 3rd Edition. SAGE. 2017.
2.
Doel, M. Rights and wrongs in social work. Palgrave. 2016.
3.
Fenton, J. Values in social work. Palgrave. 2016.
4.
Payne, M. Modern Social Work Theory. Palgrave MacMillan. 2014.
5.
Pierson, J., Thomas, M. Dictionary of social work. Open University Press. 2010.
Additional Reading
1.
Green, L., Karen, C. Social policy for social work. Polity Press. 2016.
2.
Grey, M., Coates, J., Yellow Bird, M. Indigenous social work around the world. Routledge. 2016.
3.
Mckinnon, J., Alston, M. Ecological social work. Towards sustainability. Palgrave. 2016.
4.
Dominelli, L. Introducing Social Work. Polity Press. 2009.