Social Work Ethics (3 cr)

Evaluation scale

1-5

Objective

Students are able to define a foundation for ethical action and the related theoretical concepts. They can explain what human and fundamental rights statutes, values of social work and professional ethical principles involve. Students know how to evaluate and describe the meaning of professional ethical principles in the work of Bachelors of Social Services. Students are able to define the concept of reflection and they have basic skills in reflection. Students recognize development tasks in their individual activities. They are able to detect value conflicts and seek solutions based on professional ethics. They know and apply the principles of sustainable development. Students are aware of the importance of preventing disadvantage in regional, national and global environments.

Content

- ethics, conception of the human being, morality and values
- ethical principles
- professional ethics for the social field
- the role of reflection in social work
- ethics in documentation
- sustainable development and social responsibility

Materials

Arki, arvot ja etiikka. Sosiaalialan ammattihenkilön eettiset ohjeet. 2017. www.talentia.fi.
Juujärvi S.& Myyry L. & Pesso K. 2007. Eettinen herkkyys ammatillisessa toiminnassa. Helsinki:Tammi.
Pehkonen, Aini ; Väänänen-Fomin, Marja (toim.) 2011. Sosiaalityön arvot ja etiikka. PS-kustannus
Pohjola, A, Kemppainen T., Niskala, A & Peronius Nina (toim.) 2019. Yhteiskunnallisen asemansa ottava sosiaalityö. Vastapaino.
UN human rights treaties

Teaching methods

Scheduled Blended Learning Course

The course is conducted partly as contact teaching (during on-campus weeks) and partly online as independent work in the Moodle learning environment.

The student familiarizes themselves with the theoretical material, completes the assignments/exam according to the given instructions.

The course requires participation in contact teaching (during on-campus weeks), independent work, and schedule planning.

Employer connections

The study course does not include practice

Exam schedules

Individual exam in Exam mode.

Completion alternatives

This implementation can be completed in the following alternative ways. The methods of completion are described in more detail in the Moodle learning environment.

Participation in contact teaching, independent online work, and completing learning tasks
Or
Participation in contact teaching, completing learning tasks, and taking an exam in Exam.

Student workload

81 hours: includes 12 hours of lecture teaching, 69 hours of independent study and completing learning tasks or independent study and taking an exam.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Students
- recognize the principles of professional ethical action and are aware of ethical challenges
- are aware of the importance of social work in society and of the effects that human and fundamental rights statutes and sustainable development have on the social work field
- express interest in professional ethics and reflection

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Students
-are able to explain and evaluate ethical issues in the social field
-identify and interpret connections between social work, sustainable development and human and fundamental rights statutes
- reflect on their personal values and courses of action as social work professionals

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Students
- are able to critically analyse ethical issues in social work and argue for them from a personal perspective
- demonstrate ethical sensitivity and compare the consequences different solutions can have for professional practice
- demonstrate commitment and preparedness to act in addressing ethical and value-based issues

Qualifications

no prerequisities