HS650-7-FY-CO:
Social Work Theory and Methods
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Thursday 06 October 2022
Sunday 18 December 2022
15
14 March 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
An introductory module exploring the knowledge and understanding that underpins the effective practice of social work.
The module examines a variety of social science theories, models and perspectives used by social workers to understand the lives of the individuals, groups and communities whose interests they serve. These are organised around the practice themes of Strengths based approaches, relational and solution focused social work, leadership and human rights.
There is a specific focus on the development of the profession in response to the evolution of human rights thinking and the complex relationships the vocation entails between social control, advocacy and the promotion of wellbeing.
This module considers social work's rich and contested history and the evolution of its core values. It does this by examining a range of sociological and psychological theories, models and perspectives of human behaviour and some aspects of human growth and development that are dealt with in more detail in the subsequent module, Life Span and Development. This is intended to furnish students with some of the underpinning knowledge they will need to engage in effective practice. As with other modules in the social work programme there will be specific consideration given to the role of human rights, collective responsibilities and respect for diversity that have informed the development of social work as a field of enquiry and vocational practice.
The module aims to provide the students with opportunities to critically examine the role and function of social work and consider how these have developed in response to evolving conceptions of human rights. This broader understanding will inform a more focussed exploration of a range of intervention strategies used in the promotion of independence and the safeguarding of vulnerability as a way to think through tensions and contradictions between social control and empowerment inherent in the social work vocation
On successful completion of this module, the learner will be able to:
1. Critically examine the development of the role and function of social work provision.
2. Distinguish between and identify the impact of theoretical approach/perspective on professional conceptions of and responses to human rights.
3. Critically analyse and evaluate social work methods, interventions and theories of practice.
4. Plan, implement and evaluate work to promote independence and/or safeguard vulnerable service users.
This module considers social work's rich and contested history and the evolution of its core values. It does this by examining a range of sociological and psychological theories, models and perspectives of human behaviour and some aspects of human growth and development that are dealt with in more detail in the Life Span and Development module. The Social Work Theories and Methods module is intended to furnish students with some of the underpinning knowledge they will need to engage in effective practice. As with other modules in the social work programme there will be specific consideration given to the role of human rights, collective responsibilities and respect for diversity that have informed the development of social work as a field of enquiry and vocational practice.
Lectures:
As noted above it is expected that lectures will be incorporated within the scheduled days of teaching and learning activity as outlined in the attached timetable.
Independent:
The taught sessions will be followed by a period of observed practice as students prepare for and complete the assessment requirements for this module.
Online:
A range of materials and resources relating to this module are available through the MA Social Work Moodle site. Students should upon registering for this module be able to access this Moodle course by going to https://moodle.essex.ac.uk or by accessing Moodle via the 'my study' section of the main University of Essex website. If you are experiencing any technical difficulties with Moodle then please contact; helpdesk@essex.ac.uk
Tutorials:
On commencing the course students will be allocated an Academic Supervisor, (usually the module leader). Academic Supervisors will support the student in the preparation of the module assessment.
Students will be expected to meet with their Academic Supervisor on a regular basis throughout the course. Arrangements for supervision will be the responsibility of the student. Any student may elect to change his/her Academic Supervisor following discussion with the module or programme Leader or the Director of Education.
Students are expected to maintain contact with their academic and practice Supervisors throughout the module. Tutorial sessions will be negotiated between student and supervisor. It expected that tutorial support and supervision will total no more than 2 full days over the period of the module.
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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. (2015c)
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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Lundy, C. (2011)
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.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1569179&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
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Webb, S.A. (ed.) (2019)
The Routledge handbook of critical social work. Abingdon: Routledge. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5704008.
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Hooks, B. (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. (2021)
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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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://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/170178.
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Anita, Howarth, Y., Ibrahim (no date) ‘Review of Humanitarian Refuge in the United Kingdom: Sanctuary, Asylum, and the Refugee Crisis.’ Available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12254.
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Thompson, N. and British Association of Social Workers (2021b)
Anti-discriminatory practice: equality, diversity and social justice. Seventh edition. London: Red Globe Press. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6418087.
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Thompson, N. (2002) ‘Social Movements, Social Justice and Social Work’,
British Journal of Social Work, 32(6), pp. 711–722. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/32.6.711.
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International Federation of Social Workers. (2018). Global social work statement of ethical principles (no date). International Federation of Social Workers. Available at:
https://www.ifsw.org/global-social-work-statement-of-ethical-principles/.
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Anastas, J.W. (2014) ‘The Science of Social Work and Its Relationship to Social Work Practice’,
Research on Social Work Practice, 24(5), pp. 571–580. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731513511335.
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Dentato, M.P. (ed.) (2022) Social work practice with the LGBTQ+ community: the intersection of history, health, mental health, and policy factors. Second Edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
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Dominelli, L. (2002)
Anti-oppressive social work theory and practice. Edited by J. Campling. Hampshire, [England]: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=4763959.
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Ingleby, E. (2010)
Applied psychology for social work. Second edition. Exeter: Learning Matters. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=680124.
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Pollock, S., Parkinson, K. and Cummins, I. (eds) (2019)
Social work and society: political and ideological perspectives. Bristol: Policy Press. Available at:
https://www-cambridge-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/core/books/social-work-and-society/3AE1E243A5464275BF70BE1155226A2C.
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Llewellyn, A., Agu, L. and Mercer, D. (2015) Sociology for social workers. 2 ed. Cambridge: Polity.
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Dix, H., Sue, H. and Meade, J. (eds) (2019)
Relationship-based social work with adults. St Albans: Critical Publishing. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5831557.
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Harris, J. (2008b) ‘State Social Work: Constructing the Present from Moments in the Past’,
British Journal of Social Work, 38(4), pp. 662–679. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcn024.
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 |
Additional coursework information
Essay (2,500 words)
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
No
No
No
Dr Panagiotis Pentaris
Goldsmiths, University of London
Programme Leader
Available via Moodle
Of 36 hours, 33 (91.7%) hours available to students:
3 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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