Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Social Work Theories

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
LUSDK_253
Branch of Science
Social Politics and Organisation of Social Work; Sociology and social work
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Social Welfare and Social Work
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Rehabilitation
Contacts

Riga, 26a Anninmuizas boulevard, socdk@rsu.lv, +371 67061575

About Study Course

Objective

To broaden and deepen students knowledge about theories of social work, analyse their significance for social work practice with children and youth; to explore and evaluate different strategies of interventions at different levels of social work practice with children and youth.

Preliminary Knowledge

Obtained knowledge on Bachelor level about human behaviour and social development.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Will be able to analyse and critically evaluate the interaction of theory, practice and scientific research, to analyse the benefit of theories and their limits in practical activity and in the implementation of research, to apply theoretical models in problem prevention and solution.

Skills

1.Will be able to think systematically, to analyse and evaluate critically principles, techniques of each theoretical model and their significance for social work practice with children and youth.

Competences

1.Will be able to work in a group, to communicate and collaborate, to start and maintain professional relations with children and youth based on mutual trust and respect. Will be able to provide services within the context of cultural understanding and competence, to plan activities and to choose a relevant theoretical model and intervention strategy in the social work practice with children and youth. Will be able to look for information, to plan activities and to choose a relevant theoretical model and intervention strategy in the social work practice with children and youth.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
Case analysis, essay, reflection; Gender roles and relationship analysis; film analysis; Childhood experience analysis, reflection; Film “Dead Poets Society” (1989) analysis and reflection.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
Active participation and tasks performance in workshops and seminars – 10% Tasks (case analysis, essay) – 40% Examination – 50%

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Implementing theory into practice. Practice models: Problem solving model. Crisis intervention model. Task-oriented practice.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Psychological theories: Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic. Cognitive-behavioral. Social learning theory (Albert Bandura). Attachment theory. Humanistic. Transactional analysis. Existentialism.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Exam.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Sociological theories: Conflict theory. Functionalism. Social Constructionism. Feminist perspective. Rational choice theory.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Sociological theories: Conflict theory. Functionalism. Social Constructionism. Feminist perspective. Rational choice theory.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Implementing theory into practice. Practice models: Problem solving model. Crisis intervention model. Task-oriented practice.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Implementing theory into practice. Practice models: Problem solving model. Crisis intervention model. Task-oriented practice.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Psychological theories: Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic. Cognitive-behavioral. Social learning theory (Albert Bandura). Attachment theory. Humanistic. Transactional analysis. Existentialism.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Psychological theories: Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic. Cognitive-behavioral. Social learning theory (Albert Bandura). Attachment theory. Humanistic. Transactional analysis. Existentialism.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Sociological theories: Conflict theory. Functionalism. Social Constructionism. Feminist perspective. Rational choice theory.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Contemporary social work: comparative perspective in international contexts. The significance of theory for social work practice. Human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment. Systems and Ecological theory.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Implementing theory into practice. Practice models: Problem solving model. Crisis intervention model. Task-oriented practice.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Contemporary social work: comparative perspective in international contexts. The significance of theory for social work practice. Human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment. Systems and Ecological theory.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Implementing theory into practice. Practice models: Problem solving model. Crisis intervention model. Task-oriented practice.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Contemporary social work: comparative perspective in international contexts. The significance of theory for social work practice. Human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment. Systems and Ecological theory.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Psychological theories: Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic. Cognitive-behavioral. Social learning theory (Albert Bandura). Attachment theory. Humanistic. Transactional analysis. Existentialism.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Implementing theory into practice. Practice models: Problem solving model. Crisis intervention model. Task-oriented practice.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Contemporary social work: comparative perspective in international contexts. The significance of theory for social work practice. Human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment. Systems and Ecological theory.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Implementing theory into practice. Practice models: Problem solving model. Crisis intervention model. Task-oriented practice.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Contemporary social work: comparative perspective in international contexts. The significance of theory for social work practice. Human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment. Systems and Ecological theory.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Sociological theories: Conflict theory. Functionalism. Social Constructionism. Feminist perspective. Rational choice theory.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Contemporary social work: comparative perspective in international contexts. The significance of theory for social work practice. Human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment. Systems and Ecological theory.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Exam.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Contemporary social work: comparative perspective in international contexts. The significance of theory for social work practice. Human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment. Systems and Ecological theory.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
48 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Payne, M. 2014. Modern social work theories. Oxford University Press.

2.

Turner, F.J. 2011. Social work treatment. Interlocking theoretical approaches. 5th edition. Oxford University Press.

3.

Payne, M. 2011. Humanistic Social Work: Core Principles in Practice. 1st edition. Oxford University Press.

4.

Harms, L., Connolly, M. 2019. Social work: from theory to practices. Cambridge university Press.

5.

Lotko, M. 2018. Social Work Case Analysis: Global Perspective: collection of articles about experience on case work and social case management of eleven countries. Riga. Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte.

6.

Ronen, T., Freeman, A. 2007. Cognitive behavior therapy in clinical social work practice. New York: Springer.

7.

Davis McK. M., M., Fanning P. 2007. Thoughts and Feelings. Taking Control of Your Moods and Your Life. A Workbook of Cognitive Behavioral Techniques. 3rd ed. New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Additional Reading

1.

Corcoran J. 2006. Cognitive behavioral methods for social workers. Boston.

2.

Deacon L., Macdonald S. 2017. Social Work Theory and Practice (Mastering Social Work Practice) 1st ed. SAGE publications: Learning Matters.

3.

Heslop P., Meredith C. 2019. Social work: from assessment to intervention. London. Sage.

4.

Van Hook M. P. 2016. Social Work Practice with Families: a Resiliency-Based Approach. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

5.

Webb N. B. 2019. Social Work Practice with Children. New York; London: Guilford Press.