The course offers students an introduction to social ethics and social work ethics. The first part of the course deals with the definition of ethics, critically examines some of the ethical theories prevalent in contemporary society, and 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 about cases that present relevant ethical issues, through the discussion and construction of shared solutions in the classroom. The course's educational objectives are students' acquisition of adequate knowledge of social ethics in its various articulations, expertise in ethical aspects of social work, and the ability to face the moral 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 and 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 and service ethics, the ability to address ethical issues with rational analysis tools, and the ability to analyze the opportunities and problems posed by relevant ethical dilemmas,

b) about applied knowledge and understanding, how to use the skills acquired, and develop abilities in discussing and resolving conceptual problems inherent to the main topics.

c) What concerns the autonomy of judgment is 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 and service ethics.

d) Regarding communication skills, communicating knowledge coherently and well-argued, and interacting with the teacher and other students 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, evaluate their significance for the profession of social worker, highlight critical issues, and insert them 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

An oral examination assesses the student, considered the best tool for determining linguistic competence and 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 write a brief essay about the course's main topics to improve their knowledge concerning relevant issues of the course. An intermediary examination will be possible to test the level of expertise reached.

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.