Creative and participatory methods in empowering people (4cr)

Objective

The course consists of two parts: Social work with groups 2 ects study points and Creative methods 2 ects study points.
In social work with groups students will be familiar with group work as a method of social work. They will be able to supervise different kind of groups along with understanding group dynamics. Student will have the means to evaluate the meaning and effects of group work from the perspective of supervision. Students know how to use group work in promoting the functional abilities of individuals and empowering them.
During the creative course students familiarize/express themselves with creative methods, visual expression and how to work with customers. They can use creative methods in social work in a goal-orientated way. Students can evaluate the progress and effects of creative processes when it comes to enhancing the sense of community, self-image and confidence. Students have a positive outlook on arts and culture. They understand the positive affect creativity and arts have on the sense of community and on the welfare of people.

Content

Social work with groups:
- group work as a method of social work
- group dynamics, developmental stages of a group, functions of a group
- peer groups, therapeutic groups, activity groups
- role of the supervisor in a group
- supervising a group in empowerment way

Creative methods:
- Illustrative expression: from idea to creative expression, e.g. drawing, painting, graphics, serigraphy, mixed techniques, paper pulp techniques
- TTAP method (The Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming)
- to use photos and pictures as a method of social work (biography work, life story work, reminiscence work)

Qualifications

Participants must be able to speak and write understandable English.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Pass (grade 3):
Students participate in and carry out action-based exercises under the teacher's supervision. They demonstrate flexibility, organisation ability, creativity and activity individually and as members of groups. Students promote group function. They know how to supervise challenging groups of clients (peer, therapeutic, activity groups). Students work in a goal-oriented manner in complex group situations, appropriately using the facilities, materials and equipment. Together with other students, they know where to seek knowledge and examples of
applying creative methods to their with clients of social services.

Materials

The material of 'Social work with groups' will be announced at the beginning of the course.

The material of 'Creative methods':
Empowering photography©:
Savolainen, M. Maailman ihanin tyttö The Loveliest Girl in the World. 2008. Helsinki: Blink Entertainment Oy
Availability: https://plari.amkit.fi/vwebv/holdingsInfo?sk=fi_EN&bibId=80775

www.empoweringphotography.net

Photovoice:
http://www.photovoice.org/
http://people.umass.edu/afeldman/Photovoice.htm (website prepare by Carolyn Wang)
http://www.theinnovationcenter.org/files/doc/D5/CLW%20pp%20164%20Photovoices.pdf http://www.photovoice.org/

The techniques to use Photos:
http://www.phototherapy-centre.com/five_techniques.htm
The TTAP Method©:
Levine Madori, Linda. 2007. Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming for Older Adults. Health professions press, Baltimore
Availability: https://plari.amkit.fi/vwebv/search?sk=fi_ENsearchArg=therapeutic+t&searchCode=TALL&limitTo=none&recCount=25&searchType=1&page.search.search.button=Hae

http://ttapmethod.blogspot.com/

Teaching methods

The course will consist of lectures, discussions, drama and interaction exercises, group supervision exercises, experiments, small-scale outputs and exercises, action-based and interactive study methods, reading and discussing articles and field trips.
Students will keep a learning journal throughout the course.

Further information

Degree students of social work can choose this study course instead of the course "Creative methods 2". They must additionally write an exam on the literature for the course"Social work with groups" (in Fnnish) on one of the exam days.