Power, Politics and Practice module (SW11010)

In this module you will learn about different political ideologies. You will explore the current dominant political ideologies, and how this affects social work. We will also examine the affect this has on service users.

You will explore the connections between political ideas and the resultant policies which effect people's lives. This study will be aided through case studies, discussions, and group work.

What you will learn

In this module you will:

• learn about socialism, conservatism, liberalism, and neoliberalism
• learn how to analyse policy and media extracts and identify the political assumptions that underpin them
• make links between political thinking and everyday work with service-users.
• undertake a short group project to visit to a social work related agency

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of political ideology
• understand the political aspects to social justice
• understand power and powerlessness
• recognise examples of the current political context from the media, political rhetoric, and contemporary institutions
• apply an understanding of politics to the reality of social work
• articulate your own political beliefs and align them with ideas of social justice

Assignments / assessment

Essay (2,000 words) - 100%

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

Teaching is conducted through:

• lectures
• discussion
• group work
• visit to agency
• presentation