Contribution of the Social Work Study of the Institute of Sociology the University of Silesia in the process of professionalisation of the social worker profession – historical outline

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 7-25
Author(s):  
Kazimiera Wódz ◽  
Ewa Leśniak-Berek
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Work Study ◽  
Work Unit ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
25Th Anniversary ◽  
Historical Outline ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The University

The main goal of the article is to present the achievements of the Social Work Unit at the Institute of Sociology of the University of Silesia, accumulated during the 25 years of its functioning. Aside from the rich experience in terms of educating towards the position of a social employee, the unit is characterized by scientific research activity and is engaged in numerous cooperative endeavours locally, nationally and internationally. The entirety of the activity contributes to the pursuit of processes that strengthen the professionalism and prestige of the job of a social employee. The activity results from the belief in the significance of combining theory and practice, which is evidenced in the various forms of the realized tasks. The text was created for the 25th anniversary of the existence of the Social Work Unit and is a summary of the most important achievements.

Project management in social work based on the example of social projects carried out in the Study of Social Work of the Institute of Sociology the University of Silesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 225-247
Author(s):  
Ewa Leśniak-Berek
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Educational Values ◽  
Work Unit ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Student Activity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Aspect Social ◽  
The University

The education towards the job of a social employee requires the learning of specific knowledge that ensures the interdisciplinary and versatile preparation of a future professional. In this aspect, social projects are of particular importance as due to their multitasking requirements they stimulate student activity, allow for the combination of knowledge with action and activate reflexive behaviour, which allows for the evaluation of the designed activities. The preparation and implementation of projects are related to the necessity to assume a number of roles, creating the opportunity to test oneself in new activities and to determine the degree of self-readiness to do/perform the job. The aim of the article is to highlight the educational values of designing and presenting the structure of social projects realized at the Social Work Unit at the Institute of Sociology of the University of Silesia. The text also points out the difficulties that occur during the specific stages of project work and provides tips in order to avoid such difficulties.

de Joya, Petra

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Ealdama
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University ◽  
Welfare Agencies

Petra de Joya (1913–1987) was an eminent educator and social administrator. She spearheaded the professionalization of social work in the Philippines by advocating for the passage of laws that were instrumental for the development of social work in the country. The following laws were enacted as a result of her advocacy: (a) Republic Act regulating the social work profession in the Philippines and requiring social welfare agencies to hire professional social workers; (b) a Republic Act elevating the Department of Social Work to the Institute of Social Work and Community Development at the University of the Philippines; and (c) a Republic Act transforming the Social Welfare Administration (SWA) into the Department of Social Welfare (DSW). She was appointed as one of the first board of examiners for social work.

Faulty ‘tools’? Why social work scholarship needs to take a more critical approach to Michel Foucault

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Garrett
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Michel Foucault ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Coercive Power ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Approaches ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Micro Level

Summary Having outlined Foucault’s articulation of power and governmentality, the article critically explores attempts to translate the philosopher’s theorisation into social work. Findings After briefly referring to Jacques Donzelot’s work and that of other writers, it is argued that Foucault’s conceptual ‘tools’ are problematic for those seeking to promote critical approaches within the field of social work. Those influenced by Foucault’s complex contributions may amplify a defective understanding of power which unduly emphasises ‘soft’ power and neglects the continuing significance of hierarchical and coercive power. This is reflected in Foucault’s analysis of the state and, at a micro level, his remarks on sexualised interactions involving adults and children. Efforts to ‘apply’ Foucauldian reasoning within social work may also risk promoting politically passive forms of theory and practice. Applications Contributing to the discipline’s literature on Foucault, the article maintains the social work scholarship has much to gain by engaging with work, but this engagement might aspire to become more critical.

scholarly journals The Establishment of School Social Work in Austria – From a Project to a Regular Offer

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-134
Author(s):  
Arno Heimgartner ◽  
Stephan Sting
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
School Social Work ◽  
School Problems ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Teachers And Parents ◽  
The University

The contribution introduces the present situation and the basic challenges of school social work in Austria. Starting with the perception of a developing “knowledge society” (Höhne, 2004), school is seen as a life place at which social subjects and problems occur and are made manifest. The analyses are based in particular on empirical studies by the University of Klagenfurt (Sting & Leitner, 2011) and the University of Graz (Gspurning, Heimgartner, Pieber, & Sing, 2011), which were carried out in school social work facilities of Carinthia and Styria, but theyalso include Austrian-wide research projects. A methodical view is presented along the main target groups “pupils”, “teachers” and “parents”, and the basic orientations are discussed. The thematic analysis characterises school social work as a multi-thematic service (e.g., conflicts,  love, problems at school, problems of the family) that needs to oppose the reduction to single problem areas such as drug abuse or violence. The structural analyses render visible the meaning of spatial conditions, personnel competence and the social-spatial network. Finally, the possibilities of a lasting implementation of empirical research in school social work are discussed.

scholarly journals Distance Education in Social Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Changes and Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Lischer ◽  
Seraina Caviezel Schmitz ◽  
Paula Krüger ◽  
Netkey Safi ◽  
Cheryl Dickson
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
University Management ◽  
The Social ◽  
Initial Survey ◽  
School Of Social Work ◽  
The University ◽  
Hybrid Forms

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an extensive impact on the global higher education sector. In a written survey, staff and students at the Lucerne School of Social Work reported how they had coped with the challenges to their teaching or respective learning situation. The initial survey was conducted during the lockdown in spring 2020, and the follow-up survey was performed in the period of relaxed sanitary measures in summer 2020. During the first wave of the survey, 51 employees and 225 students participated. In the follow-up survey, 28 employees and 117 students partook. Findings indicate that the increased workload created by the transition was stressful for both staff and students but overall was handled well. Staff and students who felt supported by the university management experienced less psychological distress. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there has been an effort to develop hybrid forms of teaching. Because the social work curriculum contains building blocks that are difficult to implement in the form of distance learning, the transition posed challenges for both staff and students. During times of transition, university management must carefully assess the support needs of staff and students and take appropriate action.

scholarly journals An Empirical Approach to Study Smartphones’ Usage in Academic Performance of University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-286
Author(s):  
Nargis Abbas ◽  
Uzma Ashiq ◽  
Syeda Mahnaz Hassan ◽  
Muhammad Alam
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Academic Life ◽  
Academic Learning ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University

The purpose of this study was to find out the advantages and disadvantages of smartphone usage in the academic life of Social Work students at the University of the Punjab, Lahore. The quantitative research methodology was adopted in this study. The survey of Social Work students from the university was done by employing purposive sampling technique. Students having smartphones were part of this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 203 Social Work students of the University of the Punjab. The SPSS was used to analyze the data among the smartphone users. The Social Work students used smartphones not primarily for academic purposes but for social activities. It also operated as a learning aid, which was absolutely essential to students which made them capable to find quick information and got their time saved. Smartphones were also seen more as a distraction in the classroom rather than learning aid as smartphone produce distraction in the classroom and this distraction diverted students’ attention in the class. Students multitasking and non-academic usage of smartphone produced negative impact on students’ learning and resultantly lower their academic performance. Smartphone usage seemed great if smartphone is capitalized to achieve the benefits associated with its use; resultantly the Social Work students can possibly enhance their academic learning that may lead them to success in their academic life.

scholarly journals Social work placements

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Janine Buck
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Work Skills ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practice Teaching ◽  
Site Supervisors ◽  
Part Time ◽  
The University

This article is a reflective account of my student experiences of practice teaching whilst on placements during the Social Work Degree. I consider what and how my Practice Teachers and on-site supervisors have been able to teach me about Social Work and Social Work skills and what I have learnt about myself as a person and future practitioner. I look at what, I believe makes a good Practice teacher and how different styles of teaching have enhanced my learning. I reflect on the benefits, under the new degree, of increased days on placement and how this has helped me in applying theory, methods and models which are not always easy in the classroom.At the time of completing this article I am three quarters of the way through my last placement of 100 days. I am undertaking my Social Work degree at the University of Northampton, which has a full time degree course of three years and a part time route taking four years. I am due to graduate with a B.A Honours degree in Social Work in July 2007.

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