The course offers students an introduction to social ethics and social service ethics. The first part of the course deals with the definition of ethics, critically examines some of the ethical theories prevalent in contemporary society, shows the relevance of the ethics of the person, especially from the perspective of professional ethics. The second part focuses on the multiple ethical aspects of social work. It carries out a work of practical reflection in relation to cases that present relevant ethical issues, through the discussion and construction of shared solutions in the classroom. The educational objectives of the course are students' acquisition of adequate knowledge of social ethics in its various articulations, expertise in ethical aspects of social work, ability to face the ethical dilemmas related to the profession of a social worker.

- Social ethics: definition, object, purpose.

- Critique of ethical egoism, utilitarianism, personism.

- Ethics of the person.

- Ethics in the professions.

- Ethics of social work.

- Practical ethics in social work.

At the end of the course the student must demonstrate:

a) as regards knowledge and understanding, adequate knowledge of social ethics and social service ethics; the ability to address ethical issues with rational analysis tools; the ability to analyze the opportunities and problems posed by relevant ethical dilemmas.

b) with regard to applied knowledge and understanding, to know how to apply the skills acquired and develop abilities in the discussion and resolution of conceptual problems inherent to the main topics dealt with.

c) for what concerns the autonomy of judgment, to be able to analyze in an autonomous and critically aware way the key issues inherent to the various topics dealt with, with particular reference to the relationship between social ethics and social service ethics.

d) as regards communication skills, to be able to communicate one's knowledge in a clear, coherent, and well-argued way and to be able to interact with the teacher and other students, both in frontal lectures, in-depth seminars, and exams.

e) as regards the ability to learn, to have developed the ability to discern the complexity of ethical issues relating to social work, evaluating their significance for the profession of social worker, highlighting critical issues, inserting it into the overall cultural dynamic of society.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Attendance

Attendance at 2/3 of the lessons.

Course books

J. Teichman, Social Ethics. A Student's Guide, Blackwell, Oxford 1996.

S. Banks & K.Nohr (Eds.), Practising Social Work Ethics from
around the World: Cases and Commentaries, Routledge, London 2011.

Assessment

The assessment of the student is carried out by an oral examination, considered as the best tool for assessing the level of linguistic competence and the level of learning. The precise knowledge of the subjects of examination, the ability to establish the appropriate connections between the latter, and the linguistic property of their exposure are the basic criteria for determining the grade to be given to the student.

 Attending students can elaborate a brief essay about the main topics of the course, with the aim of improving the knowledge concerning relevant issues of the course. An intermediary examination will be possible, in order to test the reached level of knowledge.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual Study

Attendance

None

Course books

J. Teichman, Social Ethics. A Student's Guide, Blackwell, Oxford 1996.

S. Banks & K.Nohr (Eds.), Practising Social Work Ethics from
around the World: Cases and Commentaries, Routledge, London 2011.

Assessment

The assessment of the student is carried out by an oral examination, considered as the best tool for assessing the level of linguistic competence and the level of learning. The precise knowledge of the subjects of examination, the ability to establish the appropriate connections between the latter, and the linguistic property of their exposure are the basic criteria for determining the grade to be given to the student.

 Attending students can elaborate a brief essay about the main topics of the course, with the aim of improving the knowledge concerning relevant issues of the course. An intermediary examination will be possible, in order to test the reached level of knowledge.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.