HS190-4-FY-SO:
Introduction to Sociological and Psychological Frameworks
2023/24
Health and Social Care (School of)
Southend Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 28 June 2024
30
07 September 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA L500 Social Work,
BA L500CO Social Work,
BA L550 Social Care,
BA L550CO Social Care
The module will provide an overview of the key concepts and perspectives drawn from sociology and psychology that inform the theoretical frameworks for social work practice. The module also acquaints students with the historical and theoretical development of the social work profession and explores debates around evidence-based practice
A level 4 module designed as a core component of the first year of the BA Social Work. It provides a significant part of the theoretical context for the development of the professional practice of social work.
This module will enable the student to explore the historical development of the social work profession and to evaluate the importance of evidence-based practice in contemporary social work practice. The module considers the nature of knowledge and evidence in relation to social work. A range of psychological and sociological theories and perspectives are presented, focusing on the ways in which these theories and perspectives have informed competing ways of understanding evidence, knowledge, the nature of social problems and the role of social work in society. It also explores the ways in which these theories and perspectives inform specific social work methods and interventions.
On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:
1. Examine the development of the role and function of social work provision.
2. Explore the role of evidence based practice in effective social work provision.
3. Investigate issues and concerns in contemporary social work practice.
4. Apply research, theoretical insights and knowledge drawn from Psychology, Sociology and related disciplines to issues and concerns in contemporary social work practice.
The module comprises tutor led presentations, group discussions and other learning activities aimed to assist students to understand, apply and evaluate key concepts within sociology and psychology. Concepts and ideas that will be explored include:
Sources of knowledge within social work practice
What constitutes valid knowledge within social work
The relative importance of practitioner knowledge, service users' perspectives and research evidence
Debates about the validity of evidence-based models of practice within social work
The use and misuse of professional power
The role in social work in terms of service user empowerment
Social systems, social structures and social processes
Charity, entitlement, justice
Role theory, deviance and labelling theory
Group dynamics and group processes
Class conflict and alienation
Relationship based practice
Overview:
The module will combine a number of different teaching approaches, incorporating tutor-led presentastions, interactive lectures, small group work, individual exercisesm student presentations.
Lectures:
Lectures by module lead and colleagues.
Independent:
Students are expected to engage in independent learning which may take the form of reading presecribed texts, preparing for in-class activities, independent research and reading.
Placement:
N/A
Online:
Online resources will be made available on Moodle.
Tutorials:
It is the student's responsibility to seek tutorial support as needed.
Skills:
The student will be expected to locate relevant literature and research and to read, interpret and expressa complex ideas drawn from relevant literature. The student will be required to engage in critical thinking and evaluate arguments and debates withing the literature.
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Maclean, S. and Harrison, R. (2015a)
Theory and Practice: A Straightforward Guide for Social Work Students. 3rd edn. Lichfield, UK: Kirwin Maclean Associates. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1461250.
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Llewellyn, A., Agu, L. and Mercer, D. (2015) Sociology for Social Workers. 2nd edn. Cambridge, UK: Polity.
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Wilson, K.
et al. (2011a)
Social Work: An Introduction to Contemporary Practice. 2nd edn. Harlow: Longman. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5187250.
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Howells, A. (2022) ‘Restorying Trauma: Child Sexual Abuse’, in T. Vine and S. Richards (eds)
Stories, Storytellers, and Storytelling. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 217–238. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2137615.
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Cunningham, J. and Cunningham, S. (2017b)
Social Policy and Social Work. 2nd Revised edition. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/269625.
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Lundy, C. and Lundy, C. (no date b)
Social work, social justice & human rights: a structural approach to practice. 2nd ed. North York, Ont: University of Toronto Press. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1569179.
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Maclean, S. and Harrison, R. (2015i)
Theory and Practice: A Straightforward Guide for Social Work Students. 3rd edn. Lichfield, UK: Kirwin Maclean Associates. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1461250.
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Howe, D. (2009c)
A brief introduction to social work theory. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=4762685.
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Llewellyn, A., Agu, L. and Mercer, D. (2018) Sociology for social workers. Second edition. Cambridge: Polity.
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Cunningham, J. and Cunningham, S. (2017c)
Social Policy and Social Work. 2nd Revised edition. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/269625.
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hooks, bell (2014)
Feminism is for everybody: passionate politics. Second edition. New York, NY: Routledge. Available at:
https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9781315743189.
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Mattsson, T. (2014) ‘Intersectionality as a Useful Tool’,
Affilia, 29(1), pp. 8–17. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109913510659.
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Reid, W. and Maclean, S. (2021b)
Outlanders: hidden narratives from social workers of colour (from black and other global majority communities). Lichfield: Kirwin Maclean Associates Ltd. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6507600.
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Cleveland and McIntosh (1990) ‘White privilege: unpacking the invisible knapsack on JSTOR.’ Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.30714426#metadata_info_tab_contents.
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Wilson, K.
et al. (2011c)
Social Work: An Introduction to Contemporary Practice. 2nd edn. Harlow: Longman. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5187250.
-
Wilson, K. (2011)
Social work: an introduction to contemporary practice. 2nd ed. Harlow: Longman. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5187250.
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Catherine Flynn and McDermott, F. (2016)
Doing Research in Social Work and Social Care: The Journey from Student to Practitioner Researcher. SAGE Publications Ltd; 1 edition. Available at:
https://sk-sagepub-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/books/doing-research-in-social-work-and-social-care.
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Anastas, J.W. (2014) ‘When Is Research Good Evidence? Issues in Reading Research’,
Clinical Social Work Journal, 42(2), pp. 107–115. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-013-0452-3.
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Drisko, J. (2014) ‘Research Evidence and Social Work Practice: The Place of Evidence-Based Practice’,
Clinical Social Work Journal, 42(2), pp. 123–133. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-013-0459-9.
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Moore, T. and Simango, G. (eds) (2021b)
The anti-racist social worker: stories of activism by social care and allied health professionals. St Albans: Critical Publishing. Available at:
https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=3044795&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
|
| Coursework |
Presentation |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Presentation (14/05/2024) |
|
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Mr Stephen Jordan, email: sjordan@essex.ac.uk.
Stephen Jordan
Sarah Wiblin pgsocwork@essex.ac.uk
T: 01702328229
E: ugsocialworkqueries@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
Dr Panagiotis Pentaris
Goldsmiths, University of London
Programme Leader
Available via Moodle
Of 51 hours, 51 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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