Practical field period: Empowerment in social work

Structure Type: Course
Code: KF08CWE0510
Type: Elective
Level: Bachelor
Credits: 9.0 points
Teacher Team: Kohtamäki, Tiina ; Saariaho, Marja-Liisa
Language of Instruction: English

Course Implementations, Planned Year of Study and Semester

Curriculum  Semester  Credits  Start of Semester  End of Semester
SOSALA-2013   3 autumn   9.0   2015-08-01   2015-12-31  

Learning Outcomes

During the course, students will increase their understanding of using empowering and creative methods in their work with social welfare clients. Students will gain experience in supervising groups and in responsibly carrying out their own projects. They will have command of planning, implementing and evaluating projects in the field of social services where they utilize creative group approaches. Students will be competent in activating groups and communities and in promoting collaboration within and between organizations. They will understand the significance of being able to recognize the needs and resources of groups. They will know how to use their knowledge in initiating activities.

Student's Workload

Approximately 230 hours of work for a course participant, including approximately 20 hours of lectures and discussions and 210 hours for student's own project.

Prerequisites / Recommended Optional Courses

Participants must be able to speak and write understandable English.

Contents

• Students prepare and implement an action plan with co-operating bodies and evaluate the project
• Students will apply group work and creative methods e.g. in client groups, social service units, residential communities or in work communities
• Students will organize and implement activities in project form within the established time frame
• The idea paper and project plan must be presented to the teacher before starting the project
• The project must be documented
• After finishing the project, it must be reported on and presented as agreed
• Students will independently atttend to networking, financing etc. as the project requires
• This practical field period can be combined with the thesis
• This practical field period can be carried out abroad

Recommended or Required Reading

Will be given at the beginning of the course

Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Introductory lectures, preparing a plan, assignments, practical training, feedback sessions

Assessment Criteria

Pass (3)/fail:
Supervised by their teacher, students plan and implement a goal-oriented client project, in which they use community work and creative methods. Students are able to justify the methods chosen (planning, implementation and evaluation of an action-based project). Students are able to supervise the group of clients in a goal-oriented way (peer, therapeutic, activity groups). In group situations, students work in an organised, critical manner, abiding by their objectives. They supervise groups with a flexible, systematic, creative and active approach. Students act in a responsible manner.

Students are able to seek further counselling and peer support. Together with other students, they reflect on and solve problems pertaining to project work and supervision of groups. Students know how to produde and present a project report and poster.

Assessment Methods

The assessment will be based on the students' personal objectives and on those defined in the curriculum, on discussions, field visits and on papers written by students.

Work Placement

See objectives of the study course.

Further Information

Degree students of social work can choose this study course instead of the practical training "Community work and creative methods"

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