University of Essex

HS656-7-FY-CO:
Social Work and Human Rights

PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Health and Social Care (School of)

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: Inactive

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 28 June 2024

Credits: 15

Last updated: 14 March 2022

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): HS657

Key module for

(none)

Module description

A module intended to compliment the Rights Based Research and Dissertation. Both of these modules are delivered during the final term and offer a specific theoretical and practical focus on social work as a human rights based profession.

Module aims

1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the nature, evolution and practice of human rights norms within the UK and International legal systems.
2. Identify relevant human rights documents, access and apply them in social work practice situations
3. Critically assess the tensions that may occur between human rights principles and social work practice.
4. Be able to critically evaluate specific human rights claims, comparing different theoretical approaches in relation to Social Work, Law and Social Movements

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the history and evolution of human rights principles.
2. Synthesise, critically evaluate and compare different approaches to human rights in relation to the disciplines of Law, Social Work and Social Movements.
3. Use UK and International Human Rights Law in their practice as qualified social workers
4. Understand the legal and theoretical foundations of social work as a human rights profession
5. Appreciate the tensions and ethical dilemmas that may occur when practicing human rights in a social work context.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

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.

Bibliography

Covid-19, Law and Human Rights: Essex Dialogues (no date). University of Essex. Available at: https://www.essex.ac.uk/research-projects/covid-19-law-and-human-rights-essex-dialogues.
Reichert, E. (no date) Social work and human rights: a foundation for policy and practice. 2nd ed. New York: Columbia University Press. Available at: https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=954628&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
Androff, D.K. (2016) Practicing rights: human rights-based approaches to social work practice. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9781315885483.
Ife, J. et al. (2022) Human rights and social work: towards rights-based practice. Fourth edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1990305.
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Yogyakarta Principles - Principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity, March 2007 ? (no date). Refworld. Available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48244e602.html?.
Human Rights Act (no date). Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/contents.
BASW Human Rights (no date). Available at: https://www.basw.co.uk/resources/social-work-and-human-rights-practice-guide.

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

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

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Ms Caroline Bald, email: caroline.bald@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Caroline Bald

Contact details: pgsocwork@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Panagiotis Pentaris

Institution: Goldsmiths, University of London

Academic role: Programme Leader

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: No lecture recording information available for this module.

Further information

Department website: Health and Social Care (School of)

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Module Directory

HS656-7-FY-CO:Social Work and Human Rights