Ethics in Professional Social Work

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE
Course titleEthics in Professional Social Work
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Number of ECTS credits4
Lecturerprof.dr.sc. Josip Berdica
Office AddressRadićeva 13 154
Telephone+385 31 224 500
e-mailjosip.berdica@pravos.hr
Lecturerprof.dr.sc. Ivana Tucak
Office AddressRadićeva 13 Potkrovlje- 54
Telephone+385 31 224 5543
e-mailivana.tucak@pravos.hr
Associatedr.sc. Gordana Horvat
Office AddressRadićeva 13 18-2
Telephone+385 31 224 550
e-mailgordana.horvat@pravos.hr
Associate Ana Lozina
Office AddressRadićeva 13
Telephone
e-mailalozina23@pravos.hr
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course content

Social work professionals make judgments based on their own ethical assessments. Therefore, the aim of this course is to introduce future social workers to the field of ethics—a branch of (moral) philosophy that examines good and evil, as well as right and wrong, from the perspective of values, virtues, and principles. Through discussions on contemporary understandings of values ​​and virtues, students will have the opportunity to see the extent to which their personal attitudes and decisions are subject not only to scrutiny and informal social control but also to realize how these factors influence their understanding of the scope and reach of social work. Particular attention will be paid to three key ethical questions for social workers: human values, the nature of right and good, and the ideal characteristics of a social worker. Students will become familiar with models for ensuring ethical standards in social work practice and research. By examining specific ethical dilemmas encountered in the professional life of a social worker, students will have the opportunity to identify the challenges involved in applying fundamental ethical principles.

Course learning outcomes

Behave professionally in complex professional situations, Act in accordance with the principles of ethical responsibility when conducting professional and research work, Apply knowledge from this branch of the humanities in the process of supporting the realization of human and civil rights and the implementation of equitable social policies, Approach the individual, family, group, and community with respect for diversity, Initiate and participate in public discussions related to documents relevant to the profession of social work,

TEACHING METHODS
☑ Lectures
☑ Seminars and workshops
☐ Exercises
☑ Independent tasks
☐ Multimedia and internet
☐ Distance education
☐ Office hours
☐ Laboratory
☐ Field work
☐ Mentoring work
☐ Knowledge test
EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
☑ Oral exam
☑ Written exam
☐ Colloquium
Other:
ADDITIONAL FACTS
All full-time students are required to attend lectures regularly (minimum 70% attendance). During the semester, students will write one essay on a topic of their own choice. The exam consists of both written and oral components. Students who do not pass the written part of the exam cannot take the oral part.
LIST OF LITERATURE FOR STUDIES AND EXAMS
Required reading
Banks, S. . Ethics and Values in Social Work. 2021. Red Globe Press.
Edgar Morin, . Etika (odabrana poglavlja). 2008. Masmedia Zagreb
Međunarodno udruženje socijalnih radnika. Etička načela i standardi socijalnog rada . 2001.
Hrvatska komora socijalnih radnika. Etički kodeks za djelatnost socijalnog rada. 2021.
Optional reading
Pavo Barišić. Etika kreposti u suvremenom društvu. 2002. Filozofska istraživanja 22 (2002) 2–3
Josip Berdica. Pravednost kao prva vrlina društvenih institucija . 2013. Filozofska istraživanja 33 (2013) 4
David Guttmann. Ethics in Social Work: A Context of Caring. 2012. Routledge, New York – London
Josip Kregar. Etika i racionalna država. 1993. Zbornik Pravnog fakulteta u Zagrebu 43 (1993) 5
Frederic G. Reamer. Social Work Values and Ethics. 1999. Columbia University Press, New York
Kristina Urbanc. Etika i vrijednosti u socijalnom radu. 2001. Ljetopis socijalnog rada 8 (2001) 2
Nino Žganec. Etika pomažućih profesija – primjer socijalnog rada. 1999. Ljetopis socijalnog rada 6(1999) 1