Ethics and Deontology of the Social Work

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

In line with the objectives of the curricular unit we will seek to reconcile teaching methodologies expository in nature, using computer media, with more practical and interactive methods, eg analysis, discussion and summaries from selected texts, analysis and debate cases and ethical dilemmas; values and stereotypes clarification exercises and discussion, inviting experts and professionals, among others.

Learning Outcomes

The Curricular Unit of Ethics and Deontology of Social Work is conceived as a philosophical and practical reflection ground, focused on the ethical axes of professional practice. As such, its main purpose is to provide parameters of analysis that can prepare future social workers to conceive their ethical responsibility and to strengthen the moral sense of their intervention.

The aims to achieve are then:

- to explain the basic concepts and main debates on the ethical and moral fields;

- to position, historically and axiologically, the debates concerning the basis of an "ethics of relationship"

- to explain and to discuss the ethical principles and the Deontology of Social Work

- to consider critically the foundations of an Ethics of Responsibility and Social Justice

- to reflect about Human Rights and the great ethical questions of our time, noting the historical and cultural implications of the profound changes on human acting in the contemporary world.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I. ETHICS AND MORAL: INTRODUCTORY APPROACHES

- The existential and interpersonal sense of the ethics;

- The moral and its ambiguities.

II. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND DEONTOLOGY OF SOCIAL WORK

- The foundations of an ethic of relationship and care;

- Principles and ethical dilemmas in professional practice: models of ethical decision making;

- The Codes of Social Work Ethics: Critical review and the basis for a renewed deontology.

III. THE GROUNDS FOR A SOCIAL ETHICS

- Introduction to Social Ethics;

- The reconstruction of contemporary ethic: settings for a "new paradigm" of "post-moralist" ethics;

- The Principle of Responsibility: Ethic, technique and science.

- The requirements of a global ethic: Human Rights, Social Justice and Peace-building.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rosa da Primavera Carvalho Neves de Castro

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam (100%) or Midtern exam (2-75%) + 25% a portfolio of contemporary values and principles of Social Work with empirical support : 100.0%

Bibliography

Banks, S. (2006). Ethics and values in social work. MacMillan Press (3ª ed.)

Banks, S. & Nohr, K. (2008). Ética Prática para as Profissões do Trabalho Social. Porto Editora.

Barsky, A. E. (2010). Ethics and Values in Social Work. Oxford University Press.

Congress, E.P. (1999). Social Work Values and Ethics. Identifying and Resolving Professional Dilemmas. Nelson-Hall.

Gutman, D. (2006). Ethics in Social Work. A Context of Caring. Haworth Press.

Hugman, R. & Smith, D. (1995). Ethical issues in social work. Routledge.

Ladrière, J. (1997). L’éthique dans l’univers de la rationalité. Québec : Editions Fides

O’Neil, L. (1998). Initiation à l’éthique sociale. Québec : Éditions Fides.

ONU (1999). Direitos Humanos e Serviço Social. Manual para Escolas e profissionais de Serviço Social. Lisboa:ISSS.

Reamer, F. (2006). Social Work values and ethics. New York: Columbia Un. Press (3ª Ed.).

Tronto, T. (1993). Moral boundaries. A political argument for an ethic of care. London: Routledge.