| CODE | SWP3341 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Groups in Social Work Practice | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Social Policy and Social Work | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit seeks to provide students with a conceptual framework of group work. The relationship between group work and the social work tradition will be examined and students will be able to apply group work as a model within social work practice. The study-unit will help students understand the process within groups and how these processes can affect the task. Students will be encouraged to experience already established self help and other therapeutic groups. Study Unit Aims: The unit provides an overview of group process and practice including decisions which need to be taken when planning, setting up and facilitating a group regardless of the types of groups being led or the theoretical orientation preferred. Types of groups, stages of group development, dynamics within a group and norms adopted by the group are also explored. Furthermore, the role and characteristics of effective leaders and the roles of members are also discussed. The students will familiarise themselves with the use of group methods in social work practice with clients coming from high risk and vulnerable populations. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise different types of groups; - Recognise the dynamics that a group may experience; - Recall the steps/decisions that need to be taken when planning, setting up and facilitating a group; - Apply theoretical models that support vulnerable populations that he/she is working with; - Discuss the characteristics a leader requires for effective group facilitation. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Plan and set up a group; - Conduct a group; - Identify issues that may develop during the life of group and manage one; - Formulate well defined goals for different client populations; - Apply appropriate theoretical models congruent to helping vulnerable populations; - Present their work to an audience. Main Text/s and Supplementary Reading: Stock Whitaker D. (1987). Using Groups to Help People. Cornwall: Routledge. Corcoran, J. (2009). Groups in Social Work: a workbook. Boston. Magen, R.H. (2007). Social Work with Groups. In Mattaini, M.A. and Lowery, C.T (Eds). Foundations of Social Work Practice. Zastrow, C.H. (2007). Social Work with Groups: A comprehensive workbook (8th ed). Cole Publishing. Barbara Muskat (2013) The Use of IASWG Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups in Supervision of Group Work Practitioners, Social Work With Groups, 36:2-3, 208-221. Hartford, M.E. (1971). Groups in Social Work: application of small group theory and research to social work practice. Colombia UP. Tuckman, B.W. and. Jensen, M.A. C. (1977). Stages of Small-Group Development Revisited. Group & Organization Management, 2(4), 419-427. Copyright 1977 by Sage Publications. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications. Tuckman, Bruce W. (1965). Developmental Sequence in Small Groups, Psychological Bulletin, (63)6, 384-399. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Dolores Gauci |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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