SOCW09009 2022 Sociological Perspectives for Social Work

Assess childhood from a sociological perspective and explain the impact of this on social work practices. (Domains 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.2; 2.9; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.4;  3.6;  Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.3; 5.5; 5.7; 5.15; 5.16; 5.24)

Evaluate family from a sociological perspective and explain the impact of this on social work practices (Domains  1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.2; 2.9; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.4; 3.6; Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.3; 5.5; 5.7; 5.15; 5.16; 5.24).

Appraise the life course approach from a sociological perspective (Domains 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.3; 2.4; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.4; 3.6; Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.3; 5.5; 5.6; 5.15).

Scrutinise the concept of power and apply this to the social work context (Domains 1.3; 1.5; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.1; 2.3; 2.4; 2.9; 2.12; Domain 3.6; Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.3; 5.5; 5.7; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.24).

Critically analyse intersectionality as a framework for working in an anti-oppressive manner in social work (Domains 1.3; 1.5; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5; 2.9; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.6; Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.3; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.24).

Teaching and learning in this module are based on weekly online lectures, and participation in blog discussions of a series of readings and case studies in order to understand the contribution of a sociological perspective to the work of social workers.

This is a blended module: 2.5 hour online lectures will be delivered weekly and an onsite workshop (seminar) will take place near the end of the semester. 

Assessment of this module requires students to demonstrate an advanced understanding and application of sociological perspectives.

Assessment 1: 60% A project that explores the theoretical perspectives of childhood, family and the life course and how this all can affect their social work practice (Domains 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.9; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.4; 3.6; Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.3; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7; 5.15; 5.16; 5.24).

Assessment 2: 40% In-class presentation of an analysis of case studies based on intersectionality. This will require a thorough examination of social power, social work practices and interventions applied in each case (Domain 1.3; 1.5; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5; 2.9; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.6; Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.3; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.24)

Students must pass both assessments in order to pass the module.

Repeat assessment will be based on failed components.

LO1: Assess childhood from a sociological perspective and explain the impact of this on social work practices.

• The social construction approach to the study of childhood: dominant discourses of childhood in western societies: implications for children's lives and social work practices
• Discourses about children in social work literature that polarises children as either 'innocent victims' at risk from abusive parents or 'out-of-control' and in need of restraint (Stainton-Rogers and Stainton-Rogers 1992) 
• Historical and cultural constructions of 'childhood' and 'children'
• Analysing legislative and policy developments from a sociological perspective including an examination of the enactment of the UNCRC and Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020

LO2: Evaluate family from a sociological perspective and explain the impact of this on social work practices.

• Theorising family: Functionalist, Marxist, Weberian, Conflict, Symbolic Interactionism, Feminist, modern and post-modern perspectives
• Family Life in Ireland
• The 'problem family' 
• Debates about 'family values'
• Analysing legislative and policy developments from a sociological perspective including an examination of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015

LO3: Appraise the life course approach from a sociological perspective.

• Examination of socialisation from the 'old' sociology and 'new' sociology perspective
• The life course approach (Elder)
• Life transitions: marriage, retirement
• Social construction of ageing
• Ageism
• Agency

LO4: Scrutinise the concept of power and apply this to the social work context

• Perspectives on power (Lukes, Foucault, Mead, Butler)
• The self and social work
• State intervention within the family
• Exploring structure and agency as central tenets in sociology and how the tensions between these are manifest in people's lives
• Deviance and Resistance 

LO5: Critically analyse intersectionality as a framework for working in an anti-oppressive manner in social work

• Privilege and Oppression
• Five faces of Oppression (Young, 1990)
• Intersectionality
• Matrix of Domination (Collins)
• Coalition movements

Implications for Social Work across all learning outcomes

• Exploring how the sociological approach supports the social worker in understanding the lives of the clients they work with eg children as 'social problem's and the 'problem family'
• Supporting social workers to understand their own childhood and family, their 'model' of society, and how this may differ from their clients'
• Recognise how lives are influenced at the micro and macro level
• Exploring how their knowledge of the impact of social issues such as poverty and social exclusion informs the social work practice.