OVERVIEW

How can social work be defined? What does the social worker deal with? What is the basis for his or her knowledge and professional practice?

The course aims to answer these questions by presenting social work as a discipline and as a profession, exploring its historical evolution, theoretical foundations and values.

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals that constitute the shared culture of the professional community of social workers.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Definitions, nature and purpose of Social Services. The theme of "need" as a central factor in the evolution of Social Services. The scientific-methodological dimension of Social Services: theoretical models from "problem solving" to governance. The ethical dimension of Social Services. The transition from the ethical - deontological to the professional - operational level. The goals of Social Services as technical-professional competencies, value competencies. Principles and foundations of EU social policies and community welfare as a connection and continuum between local and national welfare.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Class attendance, participation in educational activities and individual study will enable the student to:

- Know the historical origins and evolution of social work;

- Understand the current reality of the profession and the welfare system in light of its historical roots;

- Clarify goals and functions of the profession, to the point of identifying as comprehensive a definition as possible;

- Identify the theoretical underpinnings of the operational models of social services;

- Identify the values, operating principles, and attitudes that guide professional practice;

- Get to know the code of ethics in its various parts;

- Be aware of the disciplinary, civil, criminal, and administrative responsibilities associated with professional practice;

- Apply theoretical principles to complex situations, addressing ethical dilemmas that arise in the professional practice.

TEACHING METHODS

Class lectures with slides will present the main topics of the course and will require the active involvement of students through questions, reflections and discussion.

Cases and situations presenting ethical dilemmas will be proposed, through texts or videos, in order to develop group discussions and identify possible paths for professional practice.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

Social services as a profession and as a discipline. International definition of social services.

PART ONE: HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS

Brief history of poverty and welfare in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age. Forerunners of social services.  Origins and development of social services in Anglo-Saxon countries and Italy. Evolution of social policies and the welfare system from the 1970s to the present. Reflections on social services today.

PART TWO: THE PROFESSION.

Needs and social services. Objectives, functions and activities of social workers. Professional methodology. Theoretical foundations and theoretical-operational models. Reflective approach to social service.

PART THREE: ETHICAL-VALUE FOUNDATIONS.

Ethics and professional deontology. Values, operating principles, attitudes. Code of ethics for social workers. Ethical dilemmas: possible conflicts between values and principles. Universality of values and cultural differences. Case studies presenting complexities and dilemmas.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Textbooks and possible reading materials for attending students

G. Pieroni, M. Dal Pra Ponticelli, Introduzione al servizio sociale. Storia, principi, deontologia, Carocci Faber, Roma, 2005 (pagg. 11 - 216) 

M. D. Canevini, E. Neve, Etica e deontologia del servizio sociale, Carocci Faber, Roma, 2017 (pagg. 113-125; 139-148; 167-257)

Knowledge of the following documents is required:

- Global Definition of Social Work (IFSW, IASSW, Melbourne, 2014)

- Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles  (IFSW, IASSW, Dublin, 2018)

- Codice Deontologico degli Assistenti Sociali (CNOAS, Roma, 2020)

Other materials will be quoted during the lectures and posted on aulaweb.

Textbooks and possible reading materials for non-attending students.

G. Pieroni, M. Dal Pra Ponticelli, Introduzione al servizio sociale. Storia, principi, deontologia, Carocci Faber, Roma, 2005 (pagg. 11 - 216) 

M. D. Canevini, E. Neve, Etica e deontologia del servizio sociale, Carocci Faber, Roma, 2017 (pagg. 113-125; 139-148; 167-257)

R. Cutini, Promuovere la democrazia. Storia degli assistenti sociali nell’Italia del secondo dopoguerra (1944-1960), Viella, Roma, 2018 (pagg. 37-57; 79-130; 147-160).

Knowledge of the following documents is required:

- Global Definition of Social Work (IFSW, IASSW, Melbourne, 2014) idem

- Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles  (IFSW, IASSW, Dublin, 2018)

- Codice Deontologico degli Assistenti Sociali (CNOAS, Roma, 2020)

Other materials will be quoted during the lectures and posted on aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

RUGGERO CAPRA (President)

MARIO MARINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester from September 14th to December 4th 2020
II semester from February 15th to May 7th 2021

Class schedule

PRINCIPLES, FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND SOCIAL SERVICES - ADVANCED COURSE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final exam will be oral and will focus on testing the knowledge acquired in the following four areas:

- origins and history of social work

- fundamentals of the profession (theories and models, method, functions, activities)

- ethics and professional ethics

- The code of ethics for social workers (Cnoas, 2020)

Exam schedule