Professional Communication in Social Work

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:7.00

Study Course Accepted:21.03.2024 14:15:15

Study Course Information
Course Code:		LUSDK_258		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		2.00		ECTS:		3.00
Branch of Science:		Sociology		Target Audience:		Social Welfare and Social Work
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Ārija Baltiņa
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Welfare and Social Work
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Riga, 26a Anninmuizas boulevard, socdkrsu[pnkts]lv, +371 67061575
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		6	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		12
Classes (count)		10	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		20
Total Contact Hours								32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		5	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		10
Classes (count)		5	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		10
Total Contact Hours								20
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Not necessary.
Objective:
To build knowledge and understanding of students of the Department of Welfare and Social Work about the communication process, the parties involved in communication, means of communication, planning and leading of an interview, breakdown and resolution of conflicts, public speech.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Concept of communication, levels and means of communication. Nature and process of communication, agents involved.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
2	Communication with a client at micro level: leading a conversation/interview. Communication styles and techniques. Alternative means of communication.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
3	Conflicts, their occurrence and resolution.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
4	Public speech.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
5	Communication, using different means: letters, speech in mass media. Examples.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
6	Social work reflection in mass media.			Classes		2.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Concept of communication, levels and means of communication. Nature and process of communication, agents involved.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Communication with a client at micro level: leading a conversation/interview. Communication styles and techniques. Alternative means of communication.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
3	Conflicts, their occurrence and resolution.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
4	Public speech.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
5	Communication, using different means: letters, speech in mass media. Examples.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
6	Social work reflection in mass media.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Studying of literature sources, acquaintance with research, performance of practical works, work in groups. Please complete the study course evaluation questionnaire.
Assessment Criteria:
Attendance (20%), participation in group work (25%), preparation and presentation of a presentation (35%), written examination (20%).
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		After a successful mastering of the study course, the student will be able: • to describe the concept of communication; • to recognise levels of communication; • to describe the process of preparation for an interview and its leading; • to explain the process of occurrence of conflicts and their resolution; • to list the breakdown of conflicts; • to list communication channels • to describe the media reflection of social work.
Skills:		After a successful mastering of the study course, the student will be able: • to evaluate development of conflicts and possible solutions • to prepare a public speech • to use communication skills in work with a client • to plan and prepare an interview with a client.
Competencies:		Able to describe the nature and process of communication, the process of encoding and decoding information. Able to identify types of conflicts and possible resolution options. Able to describe the necessary actions in the preparation of a successful interview and/or conversation and speech.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Cournoyer, B. R. Social Work Skills. Workbook. Cengage Learning. 2016.
2	Loughram, H. Counseling Skills for Social Workers. Routledge. 2019.
3	Weisman, D., Zornado, J. Professional Writing for Social Work Practice. 2nd Edition. Springer Publishing Company. 2018.
Additional Reading
1	Lishman, J. Communication in Social Work. Palgrave Macmillan. 2009.