Learning objectives
The course, which lasts one year and is located in the first year of the course of study, is divided into n. 2 six-monthly modules: the first aimed at introducing and covering the history of welfare and social service, and the second at outlining the professional "protagonist", the Social Worker.
The expectation is that, at the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Know the social service, its historical evolution and in the current context;
2. Understand the essential theoretical and methodological elements of the discipline of social work;
3. Analyze the fundamental elements of the Social Worker profession;
4. Acquire skills regarding ethical attention, creativity, knowing how to communicate, reflexivity, critical thinking, taking care of oneself, the relationship with diversity and that with the organization;
5. Make your own the keys of interpretation and the interpretative frameworks in the decision-making processes and dilemmas, to strengthen the ability to decide in an informed and reasoned way;
6. Address the “delicate question” of the method in social work, analyzing its characteristics, advantages and operational strategies;
7. Consolidate theoretical knowledge and operational strategies to strengthen professional skills through a critical and in-depth reading of the new Social Worker's Code of Ethics (2020).
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Based on the objectives set and the structure of the course, divided into 2 semester modules, the main contents can be summarized as follows:
MODULE 1 (I semester)
- "Why do we help others?" Prosocial behavior and altruistic behavior.
- Introduction to Social Work:
- History of assistance
- The welfare state in Italy, from birth to evolution
- The history of the Italian social service
- Objectives, functions and activities of the social service
- The theoretical and methodological bases, the main theoretical models for professional practice
- The values and philosophical bases: values and principles of social work
- The ethical dimension: the Social Worker's Code of Ethics
MODULE 2 (II semester)
The Social Worker, a key figure in the social service:
- Values, principles and attitudes
- The functions of the Social Assistant
- Work relationships, areas of intervention and duties of the Social Worker
- The emotional dimension of the professional role
- Decision making: aspects of method
- The skills of the Social Worker
- Self-care
Full programme
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Bibliography
1. “Introduction to social work. History, principles, deontology ”, by Pieroni G. and Dal Pra Ponticelli M., ed. Carocci Faber, 2020
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 11 - 158)
2. "The social service. Tools, actors and methods", by Perino A., ed. FrancoAngeli
Chapter 6 (pages 181 - 222)
3. “Deciding in social work. Method and ethical reflections ", by Bertotti T., ed. Carocci Faber, 2020
Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 (pp. 77 - 182)
4. “The social work: the key competences”, by Bertotti T., Fazzi L., Rosignoli A., ed. Carocci Faber, 2021
All chapters (pp. 11 - 213)
5. The Social Worker's Code of Ethics (2020)
Other teaching material and slides to support the contents of the lessons, which will be published in Elly on the page dedicated to Teaching.
These texts and materials are to be considered mandatory in relation to the final exam.
Teaching methods
The teaching methodology will be of a dialogic-interactive type, alternating theoretical frontal LESSONS with PRESENTATION and READING of EMPIRICAL CASES.
The course will be supplemented by in-depth SEMINARS conducted by external experts, Social Workers or professionals from other Institutions belonging to the network of public services and the Third Sector.
Assessment methods and criteria
The method of evaluating the objectives achieved will be done through a WRITTEN exam (multiple choice quiz) with n. 30 questions, which will cover all the topics covered during lectures, seminars and contained in the bibliography, aimed at evaluating the study and learning of theoretical / practical notions.
The test lasts 1 hour.
Each question is worth 1 point, for a maximum total of 30 points.
The student must obligatorily answer all the questions.
For Erasmus students and students with special needs the duration of the test will be 1 hour and 20 minutes.
In the event that the health emergency continues, and depending on its evolution, the exam may take place either in mixed mode (i.e. in the presence, but with the possibility of support even remotely for students who request it from the teacher ), or only online for everyone (remotely). Information will be given promptly on the method chosen on the esse3 system in advance of the exam.
Other information
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