Values, Ethics and Theories: preparing for complexity in Social Work Practice (L5091)

15 credits, Level 4

Spring and summer teaching

On this module, you’ll build on prior learning and focus on professional formation through social work values, ethics and theories. This module emphasises the importance of social work theory in practice.

You’ll analyse a range of social work theories, examining the historical development and contemporary expression of social work values and ethics. You’ll consider the use of codes of ethics and codes of practice and the ethical and value basis to theories. 

Topics include:

• anti oppressive and anti discrimatory values in social work
• ethics based on principles and character
• radical, liberal and conservative theories of social work
• psychodynamic theories of social work
• task based and solution focused approaches
• systems theories and ecological approaches 
• social work and post modernism

You’ll use case studies to tie the theoretical and ethical discussions to the reality of practice situations in order to prepare for future placements.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 66 hours of contact time and about 84 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• Social Work BA