Artesis Plantijn Hogeschool Antwerpen
Mens en Maatschappij
Social Work and Society5469/3111/2324/1/06
Study guide

Social Work and Society

5469/3111/2324/1/06
Academic year 2023-24
Is found in:
  • Bachelor of Social Work, programme stage 3
    Specialisation:
    • Social Work and Social Care
This is a single course unit.
Study load: 3 credits
Co-ordinator: Vander Zande Catherine
Other teaching staff: Postma Yvonne
Teaching staff are not (all) known yet.
Languages: Dutch
Scheduled for: Semester 1
This course unit is marked out of 20 (rounded to an integer).
Possible deadlines for learning account: 15.10.2023 ()
Re-sit exam: is possible.
Possibility of deliberation/tolerance: You have to pass this course unit (will never be deliberated/tolerated).
Total study time: 84,00 hours
Total cost price activities: € 30,00

Prerequisites

previously registered for Applied Research AND previously registered for Law for Social Work 2 AND previously registered for Sociology for Social Work AND previously registered for Psychology for Social Work AND previously registered for Social Work Theory AND previously registered for Politics and Social Policy AND previously registered for Skills for the Social Worker 3 AND previously registered for Skills for the Social Worker 4 AND previously registered for Organisation Studies AND previously registered for Professional Practice 2 Social Work AND ((previously registered for International Social Work-International perspectives on diversity MW OR previously registered for International Social Work-International perspectives on diversity PW) AND (previously registered for Method Theory of Social Work and Social Care OR previously registered for Social work method) AND previously registered for Work Domains Social Work and Social Care) OR (previously registered for Labour Law AND previously registered for HRM 1 AND previously registered for International Social Work-International perspectives on diversity PW) OR (previously registered for Social Cultural Discourse AND previously registered for International Social Work-International perspectives on diversity SCW).

Short description

The focus is on the specific position of the social worker as an actor between people and society.

The course takes as its starting point current (international) events and exposes structural links and processes of change that guide the identity of the profession. The focus is on the professional identity, the social position, the professional ethics and the legitimacy of social work. Social Work and Society builds on previously acquired insights from the previous phases of training. The course integrates professional and social-scientific frameworks and contains an active component in which you yourself read, process and enter into dialogue.

Prerequisite competencies (text)

The student is expected to have a thorough understanding of the contents of the human- and social sciences from trajectory 1 through 4 of the Ba Social Work and to have an insight into the field of work and the working methods of Social Case Work and Services.

Learning outcomes (list)

SLO01-Ethical perspective
You present your own normative vision of the position, role and agenda of social work in a complex society.
You use the foundations of the capability approach as a normative and action framework for social work.
SLO02-MW2-MW-Methodology
You critically evaluate a practice-related case from the context of the capability approach.
You examine the identity, agenda and topicality of social work from the capability and human rights approach.
SLO07-Societal perspective
You show insight from the human rights and social justice perspective into the positioning of social work on the bridge between people and society.

Course content

The focus is on the specific position of the social worker as an actor between people and society.

The course takes as its starting point current (international) events and exposes structural links and processes of change that guide the identity of the profession. The focus is on the professional identity, the social position, the professional ethics and the legitimacy of social work. Social Work and Society builds on previously acquired insights from the previous phases of training. The course integrates professional and social-scientific frameworks and contains an active component in which you yourself read, process and enter into dialogue.

1. Society, profession and ethics

We connect thematically to current social work issues.
Using the conceptual and ethical underpinnings of the capability approach, we explore social work's identity, agenda and topicality.
Each of the themes is accompanied by reading assignments.

2. Working on professional ethical issues.

Using concrete cases, students learn to work with the DenK framework (Stas et al. 2019). They actively demonstrate their ability to use this framework as an instrument for critical reflection and ethical action.

The students bring in their own cases.  
Learning about and practising with the DenK framework takes place during the lectures and in their own work time.


Supervision
Supervision by appointment.

Study material (list)

Mandatory
  • Author: Stas K., Verbruggen A., Vlaeminck H.
Mandatory€ 43,80
  • Author: Tirions M., Cornille A., Raeymaeckers P., Gibens S., Boxtaens J., Postma Y.
Mandatory
Electronic Learning EnvironmentMandatory
  • Author: AP Hogeschool Antwerpen

Educational organisation (list)

Learning Activities
Lectures and / or tutorials24,00 hours
  • Description: In-depth lectures, work and discussion classes on text material and current affairs.
  • Remark: Estimated price for handbook and reader material: 30 euros
Work time outside of contact hours60,00 hours
  • Description: * Reading and processing assignments tutorials - individual.
    * Follow up current events.
    * Reading and processing time specified text material in function of exam.
    * Assignment linked to 'social work practice lab'.

Evaluation (list)

Evaluation(s) for first exam chance
MomentForm%Remark
1st examination periodKnowledge and comprehension test during the examination series60,00Assessment via oral examination.
1st examination periodReflection assignment permanently during class weeks (Permanent evaluation)40,00Cases.
Evaluation(s) for re-sit exam
MomentForm%Remark
2nd examination periodKnowledge and comprehension test during the examination series60,00Assessment via oral examination.
2nd examination periodReflection assignment during the examination series40,00Cases