Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
SP30028 Social work - critical reflection |
| Credits: 18 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: ES 100% |
| Requisites: |
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This unit is for SWASS students only. Aims: The dissertation provides an opportunity for students reflect on, to critically analyse and to integrate their learning across the professional social work curriculum. The aim of the dissertation is to equip students to research, organise and produce an extended piece of work in a relevant area. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit the students should be able to * define a topic, thematic area or research question, systematically search the literature, develop a project plan for completing the extended essay, and show that they organise the intellectual content of a longer piece of work. Skills: Intellectual skills: * Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the social and other human sciences relevant to the student becoming an effective practitioner * Knowledge of the theoretical basis of social work perspectives * Knowledge of theories of welfare state development. * Knowledge of the main sources of data about social welfare and a critical approach to their use. * Understanding of how to apply knowledge and concepts from across various social sciences disciplines * Knowledge of the main sources of data about social issues and a critical approach to their use. * Knowledge of issues of human needs and social welfare - poverty, inequality, exclusion, diversity and differences Transferable/Key skills: * To develop critical and analytical powers in general * To develop research skills with particular reference to those skills relating to investigation and analysis. * To think creatively and analytically. * To communicate an argument. * To evaluate others' arguments and research. * To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information. * To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.). * To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge. * To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding. * To utilise problem solving skills. Content: The essentials of critical reflection; thematic review and the application of social work knowledges in professional practice. Strategies for knowledge acquisition, systematic review and comprehensive reading of relevant literatures. |