This course is only open to selected University of Maryland students.

This course aims to provide the student with opportunities to develop their critical understanding of the complex dimensions of personal, political, professional, and organizational power and how these impact on social work practice. This understanding will support students in preparation for the challenge of carrying out their professional roles, in a complex and multi-disciplinary environment. The content will also equip students with the skills to critically reflect on the contemporary context of social work and the political imperatives which shape and change it.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulate how policy is developed at European, National and local level; critically evaluate processes of change.
2. Critically reflect on the concept of power and its influence in organisations and relationships and identify strategies to manage the resulting dilemmas and conflicts in practice.
3. Critically analyse the social workers’ contribution to promoting the empowerment of service users and their involvement in service delivery and changes in policy
4. Critically evaluate the strategies used to work collaboratively with other agencies and professionals including members of the multidisciplinary team.

Assessment

3,000 word essay