Introduction to Social Work and Professional Ethics

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:8.00

Study Course Accepted:21.03.2024 14:16:07

Study Course Information
Course Code:		LUSDK_205		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		2.00		ECTS:		3.00
Branch of Science:		Sociology; Social Politics and Organisation of Social Work		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 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.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Social work as a cross-disciplinary profession. Definitions of social work. Directions of social work practice in Latvia.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
2	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.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
3	Social work professionals.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
4	Concept, description of a social problem, breakdown of social problems.			Classes		2.00	METC
5	Understanding of ethics. Professional ethics.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
6	Ethical matters, dilemmas. Resolution of dilemmas.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
7	Possibilities of resolution of dilemmas (presentations of students).			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		3.00	METC
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Social work as a cross-disciplinary profession. Definitions of social work. Directions of social work practice in Latvia.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
2	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.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
3	Social work professionals.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
6	Ethical matters, dilemmas. Resolution of dilemmas.			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
7	Possibilities of resolution of dilemmas (presentations of students).			Lectures		1.00	METC
				Classes		1.00	METC
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Studying literature sources, getting to know researches, performing practical tasks, working in groups, test work.
Assessment Criteria:
Attendance – 25%; group work – 25%; individual tasks – 25%; test – 25%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		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:		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.
Competencies:		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.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
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.
Other Information Sources
1	http://www.lm.gov.lv
2	http://cdn.ifsw.org/assets/ifsw_23031-6.pdf
3	http://www.socialwork.lv/