Theoretical and Critical Thinking in Social Work

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge about the processes of social intervention and English language skills.

Teaching Methods

This curricular unit has a theoretical dimension and reflective practice, and covers different methods of teaching and learning: analysis of texts and group work, discussion on professional experiences.

There will the collaboration of researchers, doctoral students, and other guests to ensure the sharing of knowledge and experience. The assessment provides an analysis of texts by students and the presentation of literature review on theories and models of social intervention or a scientific article about one of the chapters of the program. The article may be proposed for publication.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit aims to provide the deepening of the theoretical foundations of SW through a contextualized diachronic perspective of analytical matrices that underlie the progression of knowledge and broadening the field of SW. It explains also the operating models and processes that guide social action, with reference a political choice and not merely technical social intervention. The analysis of theoretical assumptions and models of intervention, allow rethink directionality of professional action in the context of critical thinking that frames objectivity and questions the reality where it intervenes, as well as meaning of this intervention on its dimension micro, meso and macro. At the end of the semester, the graduate student dominate theoretical knowledge and be able to stand before professional action, critically, in context, exploring the heuristic value of knowing that dominate and articulated in the context of individual and collective action.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

MODULE I – Theoretical Arguments for the Renewal of Social Work.

The Risk Society and the (re) questioning of fields, role and functions of Social Work.

Critical Thinking and the process of Social Work politicization.

 

MODULE II – Conceptual Dialogs in Professional Act.

Paradigms of knowledge in and for social intervention on contemporary society and reflexive Practice in Social Work.

 

MODULE III – Social work Paradigms and Models: Conceptions and Operability.

Theoretical References; From Singular models to Territorial approaches.

Collective action, local development, territory and Social Work.

 

MODULE IV – The Polysemy in Social Work: The defense of specificity as opposed to professional dilution.

The Syncretic Social Intervention Model in Social Work, Tools and methodological references in Social Work; processes of intervention in situations of Crisis and Social Emergency.

Head Lecturer(s)

Clara Maria Rodrigues Cruz Silva Santos

Assessment Methods

Final Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Continuous Assessment
Poster: 10.0%
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Research work: 50.0%

Bibliography

Adams, Robert (2008). Empowerment, participation and social work. BASW Practical Social Work. Series Editors, Jo Campling. 4^th Edition. NY: Palgrave Macmillan.

Almeida, Helena (2013), “Mediação Social e Gestão de Casos: abordagens, processos e competências cruzadas na agenda do conhecimento em serviço social, In Almeida, H., Santos, C. E Albuquerque (Org.). Serviço Social: Mutações e Desafios Actuais, Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, pp. 15-63, ISBN: 978-989-26-0266-0.

Amaro, Maria Inês (2012). Urgências e Emergências do Serviço Social. Fundamentos da profissão na contemporaneidade. Lisboa: Universidade Católica Editora.

Dominelli, Lena and Payne, Malcolm (Editors) (2009). Social Work. Themes, Issues and Critical Debates. Third Edition, London: Palgrave Mcmillan (1-48).

Santos, C; Albuquerque, C. e Almeida, H. (2013). Serviço Social: Mutações e Desafios. Coimbra: IUC.

Teater, B. (2010). An introduction to applying social work theories and methods. UK: McGrow-Hill.