Theories in Social Work Research (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

The course aims to examine social work research, social work theories and theoretical concepts applied in social work research.

After completion of the course the student is able to
- identify the historical background and current discussions in social work research
- identify different social work theories, theoretists and theoretical concepts applied in social work research
- analyze social phenomenona and social processes using theory and theoretical concepts
- apply theory and theoretical concepts in master's thesis research.

Execution methods

Non-stop virtual course.
Teaching profile for University of Lapland: ONLINE 2.

Accomplishment methods

Lectures, readings and essay.

Content

Historical background and current discussion in social work research. Key meta theories and theorists in social scientific and social work research.

Location and time

Non-stop virtual course.
Teaching profile for University of Lapland: ONLINE 2.

Materials

Pre-recorded lectures, literature and essay.



Lectures: 

Thinking with:

• Michel Foucault / Professor Kirsi Juhila


• Dorothy Smith and institutional ethnography /Professor Marjo Kuronen


• Karl Marx and marxist theory / Dr Paul Michael Garrett


• Using Freire and Foucault in social work research / Dr Sofia Dedotsi

Meta-theories:

• Critical realism / Dr Maria Tapola-Haapala


• Objective hermeneutics / Professor emeritus Ilmari Rostila

Social interaction theories:

• Ethnomethodology / Dr Jenni-Mari Räsänen


• Discursive Approach / PhD Student Vera Virolainen

Theoretical concepts:

• Intersectionality / Dr Eveliina Heino


• Social capital / Professor Riikka Korkiamäki


• Capability approach / Dr Maija Mänttäri-van der Kuip
  
   

Literature: 

Garrett: Social Work and Social Theory: Making Connections (2013/2018).

Gray & Webb (eds.): Social Work Theories and Methods, 2nd Edition (2013).

Teaching methods

This course is a nonstop virtual course in Moodle that consists of pre-recorded lectures, literature and an essay. The aim of writing the essay is to learn the main social theories in social work, the contemporary discussion of theories and the application of theories in social work and social work research.

Exam schedules

Nonstop course, no essay deadlines. If you are not satisfied with your grade, you may improve your essay after a discussion with the teacher.

Student workload

Number of ECTS credits: 5 cr (average student workload: 135 hours)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail (0): The assignment shows a very insufficient mastery of the themes of the course. The performance does not correspond to the scope, content and structure of the assignment. The assignment is done in a highly deficient or erroneous ways. The use of course materials does not correspond at all to the given instructions.

Sufficient (1): The assignment shows poor mastery of the themes of the course. The performance does not for the most part, in terms of content or structure, comply with the assignment. Performance is limited. The course's lectures and other material are discussed descriptively and one-sidedly. The text does not show much of one's own thinking and reflection. The text is mainly repeating the course lectures and/or other material. The performance may contain errors or ambiguities. There are clear flaws and ambiguities in the use of course material.

Satisfactory (2): The assignment shows a moderate mastery of the themes of the course. There are minor shortcomings in the compliance with the assignment. In the performance, issues are dealt with superficially. The assignment is focused on repetitively describing the course lectures and/or other material. The interpretation of the lectures and other material remains thin and uncritical. In execution, the use of sources does not fully correspond to the assignment.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3): The assignment shows mastery of the main themes of the course. The performance follows the given task. Lectures and other material of the course are discussed in accordance with the given instructions. There is independent thinking in the performance, but critical reflection and argumentation is quite moderate.

Very good (4): The assignment shows a good mastery of the themes of the course and is done according to the given task. Lectures and other materials of the course are discussed in an interpretative and reflective manner showing independent thinking. The approach is analytical, selective and summarizing. The use of course materials corresponds well to the instructions for assignment.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): The assignment shows an excellent mastery of the course themes. The performance matches the assignment perfectly. The assignment is carefully executed and versatile showing independent, analytical and critical thinking. Lectures and other materials are used generating new insights. The use of sources corresponds perfectly to the given instructions.

Further information

Essay writing should follow the guidelines for scientific writing found in Moodle. The essay should have a detailed question and have Introduction-Body paragraphs-Conclusion structure. Headline the essay, make a table of contents, mark the citations, and list the sources. The scope of the essay is 13-15 pages of body text in individual work and in pairs 18-20
pages

Rating: 1-5/fail

Essay evaluation criteria:
- Clarity in the presentation of the core message of theories and core concepts
- Presentation of theories and concepts in a comprehensible and sufficiently
comprehensive manner
- Analyzing the applicability of theories and considering their significance for social
work research and understanding of social work and its target phenomena
- Consistency and logic of the text
- Following the guidelines for scientific writing
- Versatile use of guided literature