SOCI43330: Social Work: Context and Practice

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• This 30 credit module provides students with an introduction to the areas of knowledge, values and skills that inform a critical understanding of the contexts of social work and the foundations of social work in practice: i) the sociological basis for social work interventions, ii) the principles, values and ethical dimensions of social work, iii) theories and methods that underpin social work interventions, vi) the perspectives of service users.
• Social Work: Context and Practice draws on two modules from the Master of Social Work programme (i) Social Work in Context and ii) Social Work in Practice and provides an opportunity for students on the MA Social Research Methods (Social Work) to study alongside those training for professional practice in Social Work.

• 1. the sociological basis for social work interventions/social exclusion (SWIP)
• 2. the principles, values and ethical dimensions of social work (SWIP)
• 3. theories and methods that underpin social work interventions, (SWIC)
• 4. the views and experiences of children and adult service users and carers (SWIP)
• 5. critical thinking (SWIP)
• 6. cultural diversity in social work (SWIP)
• 7. organisational theory and the organisational contexts of social work (SWIC)
• 8. power and the practice of social work (SWIP)

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• On completion of the module, students will have skills in:
• A detailed understanding of the construction of social problems and processes leading to social exclusion of individuals, families, groups and communities, and the implications for social work practice;
• A critical understanding of the organisational contexts of social work;
• A critical understanding of the theoretical and research foundations for social work interventions with individuals, families, groups and communities.

Subject-specific Skills:

• On completion of the module, students will have skills in:
• critical analysis and evaluation of knowledge and its application in decision making and problem solving activities in social work practice;
• Critical reflection and self-reflection to inform the development of social work practice.

Key Skills:

• On completion of the module students will have skills in:
• The use of information technology and computer skills to research, analyse and disseminate information relevant to social work;
• Effective communication of evidence and argument;
• Critical thinking and critical analysis;
• Ethically informed research skills to aid understanding of social work organisations and service users experiences.

• During periods of online teaching, for asynchronous lectures in particular, planned lecture hours may include activities that would normally have taken place within the lecture itself had it been taught face-to-face in a lecture room, and/or those necessary to adapt the teaching and learning materials effectively to online learning.
• The module learning outcomes will be addressed through lectures, problem-based learning, group work, socratic dialogue, documentary and community-based research, engagement with a range of service users and carers.
• Knowledge and skills will be assessed through:
• Summative: Group presentation of community based research examining social exclusion (assessed by academic staff and service user colleagues);
• Summative: A 2,000 word essay addressing social exclusion and social work;
• Formative: 1000 word essay demonstrating critical thinking on a social work related topic. Feedback from module convenor consists of written feedback addressing five general assessment criteria:
• 1. Response to the question/assignment guidance, including originality of approach;
• 2. Awareness and understanding of power and inequality and opportunities for anti-oppressive and empowering practice;
• 3. Development of argument: assignment structure and use of supporting evidence;
• 4. Critical appraisal of theory/linking of theory & research to policy and practice;
• 5. Ability to present information and reference sources effectively; plus
• general comments and an indication of the mark that would have been awarded if a summative exercise. Providing feedback on each of these criteria develops an awareness of the expectations for the summative written assignment. Details of the gradings for each assessment criterion are published in the programme handbook.

1000 word essay demonstrating critical thinking on a social work related topic. Feedback from module convenor consists of written feedback addressing five general assessment criteria as setout under 'Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment'.

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