Introduction to Social Work and Professional Ethics (LUSDK_205)
About Study Course
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.
Prerequisites
Not necessary.
Learning outcomes
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.
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.
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.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social work, SD | 1 | Bachelor’s | Required | Ārija Baltiņa | |
| Social work, SDN | 1 | Bachelor’s | Required | Ārija Baltiņa, Marika Lotko |
