Introduction to Social Work - SPY00024C
- Department: Social Policy and Social Work
- Credit value: 30 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module summary
This module will introduce you to the history of social work in the Western world and its evolution to the present time.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
We start from the view that social work is both a discipline and a profession. You will learn about the history of social work, how it has evolved over time and place, and you will study the contemporary context in the UK and beyond. Social work is distinctive in appreciating both the interior human world and the exterior material world, and their interrelationship. Different strands of social work have favoured one more than the other and you will learn about how social work engages with individuals, families, groups, communities, and the macropolitics and policy that influence people?s everyday lives.
You will be introduced to debates about whether social work is a profession, about whether its primary goals relate to care, control or transformation, and to what extent social work is a relationship-based practice. You will become familiar with the statutory, non-statutory, charitable and independent organisations in which social workers are employed. You will learn about service users and what they value in social workers. You will begin to understand the other professions with whom we work, and what makes social work different. You will learn about social work?s commitment to anti-oppressive practice, and the role of reflection and reflective supervision in the support and professional development of social workers.
You will engage in small group activities in the classroom and between sessions.
You will use your creativity and imagination to envision a social work of the future, taking into account the digital world and the advent of robotics.
Module learning outcomes
You will be able to describe the history of social work
You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of different helping professions and how social work is distinguished from them
You will be able to weigh up arguments about the nature of social work and justify different perspectives
You will be able to work constructively with other students to create seminar presentations
You will be able to harness your creativity and reflect on your learning
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 30 |
| Essay/coursework | 70 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 30 |
| Essay/coursework | 70 |
Module feedback
Feedback for both pieces of written work will be given with 4 weeks of submission
Feedback for the presentation will be given within two working days
Indicative reading
Horner, N (2012) What is Social Work? (4th edition) Exeter, Learning Matters.
Wlsion, K, Ruch, G, Lymbery, M and Cooper, A (2011) Social Work: An introduction to contemporary practice. (2nd edition). London: Pearson.
Lymbery, M and Postle, K (2007) Social Work: A companion to learning. London: Sage.