Social Work Ethics

Study:	Social Work - 2. semester
Code:	20047
ECTS:	3.0
Course coordinators:	prof. dr. sc. Nino Žganec

Literature:
Međunarodna federacija socijalnih radnika (prevela D. Ajduković); Etička načela i standardi socijalnog rada; Ljetopis Studijskog centra socijalnog rada 8 (2) (2001), str. 227-234 Brajša Žganec, A. i Žganec, N; Neka etička pitanja u istraživanjima s djecom smještenom u ustanove socijalne skrbi; Dijete i društvo 5 (1) (2003), str Čehok, I. i Koprek, I.; Etika - Priručnik jedne discipline; Školska knjiga (1996), str Žganec, N.; Etika pomažućih profesija - primjer socijalnog rada; Ljetopis Studijskog centra socijalnog rada, 6 (1) (1999), str. 17-27
Optional literature:
Žižak, A. i Koller-Trbović, N.; Sudjelovanje djeteta u procesu procjene potreba I planiranja intervencija; Dijete i društvo, 5 (1) (2003), str. 119 - 136 Abramson, M.; Toward a More Holistic Understanding of Ethics in Social Work; Social Work in Health Care, 23 (2) (1996), str. 1-14 Banks, S.; Professional Ethics in Social Work - What Future; British Journal of Social Work, 28 (2) (1988), str. 213-231 Banks, S.; Codes of Ethics and Ethical Conduct - A View from the Caring Professions; Public Money Management, 18 (1) (1988), str. 27-30 Reamer, F.G.; The Evolution of Social Work Ethics; Social Work 43 (6) (1998), str. 488-500

Description:

Students will learn about the importance of the observation and application of ethical principles in social work practice, as well as about the relation between ethics of social work and other disciplines. Special emphasis will be given to the role and importance of professional ethics for the development of professions and on individual areas that permanently cause ethical dilemmas in the work of the professionals and the possibilities of their solution.

Course description
- Terminological determinations: what is ethics and what is not
- Ethics and values
- Ethical dilemma
- Setting standards of ethics
- Theoretical approaches to ethics and ethical directions
- General and professional ethics
- Elements of the code of ethics
- Specific features of the ethics of social work
- Ethical decision-making in social work

Cognitive Skills:

After successfully completing the course, students will be able to:

1. define main aims and areas of social work ethics

2. explain key areas of work that continually cause various ethical dilemmas

3. apply appropriate strategies of preparation and further training necessary for competent consideration of ethical issues in social work

4. compare different aspects of social work and professional code of ethics of social workers and other similar professions

5. plan the development of personal career within Croatian social welfare system

6. assess the possibilities of development of ethical responsibility of social workers in performing their activity

7. prepare for a competent process of observing, analysing and solving ethical questions and dilemmas

8. valorise good and bad sides of professional codes of ethics of social workers and possibilities of thier improvement

Practical and Generic Skills:

After successfully completing the course, students will gain:

1. ability to understand ethical concepts, issues and dilemmas

2. ability of independent ethical consideration

3. ability of planning and conducting ethical discussions

4. ability of making appropriate ethical decisions

5. ability of critical evaluation of their profession using methodology for solving ethical questions

Matching Assessments to Learning Outcomes:

1.1. Written examination / 2 mid-term examinations

1.2. Oral examination: reporting about an ethical issue connected to social work profession in various areas of work

Consultations schedule: