Social Work Theories

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:2.00

Study Course Accepted:29.08.2024 11:14:37

Study Course Information
Course Code:		LUSDK_253		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Sociology; Social Politics and Organisation of Social Work		Target Audience:		Social Welfare and Social Work
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Lolita Vilka
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Rehabilitation
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)		12	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		24
Classes (count)		12	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		24
Total Contact Hours								48
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Obtained knowledge on Bachelor level about human behaviour and social development.
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.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	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.			Lectures		3.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		4.00	E-Studies platform
2	Sociological theories: Conflict theory. Functionalism. Social Constructionism. Feminist perspective. Rational choice theory.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
3	Psychological theories: Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic. Cognitive-behavioral. Social learning theory (Albert Bandura). Attachment theory. Humanistic. Transactional analysis. Existentialism.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
4	Implementing theory into practice. Practice models: Problem solving model. Crisis intervention model. Task-oriented practice.			Lectures		3.00	auditorium
				Classes		4.00	auditorium
5	Exam.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Case analysis, essay, reflection; Gender roles and relationship analysis; film analysis; Childhood experience analysis, reflection; Film “Dead Poets Society” (1989) analysis and reflection.
Assessment Criteria:
Active participation and tasks performance in workshops and seminars – 10% Tasks (case analysis, essay) – 40% Examination – 50%
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		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:		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.
Competencies:		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.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
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.