Faculty Booklet - The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine ...

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P O S T G R A D U A T E R E G U L A T I O N S & S Y L L A B U S E S 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3
THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
MASTEr OF SOCIAL WOrK
COUrSE SYLLABI/DESCrIPTIONS
(The content of these courses may be altered to reflect changes
in the discipline)
Semester 1
This semester provides the foundation for the M.SW. All students
must successfully pass all semester one courses.
SEMESTEr: 1
COUrSE CODE: SOWK 6000 (SW69A)
COUrSE TITLE: rESEArCH DESIgN AND SKILLS IN qUALITATIVE
AND qUANTITATIVE METHODOLOgIES FOr SOCIAL WOrK
NO. OF CrEDITS: 3
COUrSE DESCrIPTION: An essential aspect of the M.SW.
Programme, this course has been designed in line with the overall
vision of the Social Work Unit, which seeks to develop, promote
and enhance the theory and practice of ‘Developmental Social
Work’ within a Caribbean context. The course addresses and
integrates philosophical, theoretical, methodological issues
that are subsumed in and/or impact upon the administration
and practice of Social Work. It builds on the mandatory research
courses that are part of the B.Sc. Social Work and is synchronous
with the Critical Thinking and Practice for Social Work course, and
that must be taken alongside this course. The course also serves as
preparation for students undertaking their own research projects,
a requirement of the final semester of the M.SW. Programme.
Assessment:
Examination - 60%
Coursework assignment: Written essay - 25%
A team presentation - 15%
research – Practice Linkages:
In this course, consistent efforts shall be made to demonstrate how
the research topics manifest themselves in issues related to social
work administration and practice in the Caribbean. Moreover, the
extent to which the received wisdom of international social work
is relevant to the administration and practice of social work in
the Caribbean shall also be explored. The topics covered will be
deconstructed using salient text and example.
Topics:
1. Introduction: course aims and objectives, coursework
assignments, Identification of presentation topics and
schedule for presentation
2. Power within a social system: Foucault & Feminism
3. Towards a theory of ‘Development Social Work’
4. An overview of the Research Process
5. Identification of Problem; objectives
6. Strategies of Inquiry
7. A Critical Analysis of Social work Interventions
SEMESTEr: 1
COUrSE CODE: SOCI 6001 (SY60B)
COUrSE TITLE: SOCIAL POLICY, ANALYSIS
AND EVALUATION
NO. OF CrEDITS: 6
COUrSE DESCrIPTION: This is an existing course, which focuses
on the analysis and evaluation of Caribbean social policy,
targets and policy criteria. The course provides students with
the theoretical and practical experience in utilising research
techniques for the analysis of current responses to social
problems.
SEMESTEr: 1
COUrSE CODE: SOWK 6001 (SW69B)
COUrSE TITLE: ADVANCED SOCIAL WOrK THEOrY
AND METHODS (ABUSE, rISK & rESILIENCE)
NO. OF CrEDITS: 3
COUrSE DESCrIPTION: Given the scope of the subject, the
themes Risk, Abuse and Resilience will be explored by focusing on
three specific social problems in which they emerge: child abuse
and neglect, substance abuse and the consequences within the
Caribbean of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Course content will draw
from international perspectives, however emphasis will be placed
on the applicability and development of theory and practice
for the Caribbean. Students will be required to undertake selfdirected
learning and will be encouraged to explore links across
issues of gender, culture, class, sexuality, age and disability.
The course builds on these final year B.Sc. courses: Family &
Child Welfare; Group & Individual Counselling and Development
Psychology and coheres with these Masters level courses: Social
Policy, Analysis & Evaluation, Research Design & Methodologies
for Social Work, Critical Thinking and Practice for Social Work and
Advanced Social Work Interventions.
Assessment:
Examination - 60%
Seminar Presentations - 15%
Coursework assignment - 25%
Lecture Schedule
Week 1: Setting the Context
Weeks 2-4: Child Abuse and Neglect
Week 5: Student Seminar Presentations – Child Abuse
Weeks 6-8: Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Weeks 9-11: HIV and AIDS
Week 11: Student Seminar Presentations – HIV/AIDS
SEMESTEr: 1
COUrSE CODE: SOWK 6002 (SW69C)
COUrSE TITLE: PLANNINg AND LEADErSHIP
NO. OF CrEDITS: 3
COUrSE DESCrIPTION: This course will examine the forms,
structures and designs for the development of projects and
services for addressing social problems. It will also provide skills
and knowledge for effective leadership.