Singapore University of Social Sciences

Social Work Practice in Crises & Humanitarian Aid

Social Work Practice in Crises & Humanitarian Aid (SWK575)

Synopsis

SWK575 Social Work Practice in Crises & Humanitarian Aid is an innovative and unique course that will synthesise theories and practices in crises and humanitarian aid relevant to social work locally and internationally. Students will appraise the emerging social work core competencies, comprising knowledge, values and skills, for use in various stages of the crisis management cycle including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Local and overseas case studies will be used to differentiate the roles and tasks of social workers when working with the other sectors, disciplines, stakeholders, and communities in a range of natural and human-made emergencies and disasters. Managing crisis is an integral part in social work practice. How a social worker handles a crisis can lead to different consequences, positive or negative. This course will teach the social workers to manage crises effectively turning them to opportunities for growth that will strengthen the clients with higher functioning capacities.

Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every July

Topics

  • Transtheoretical models of crisis and humanitarian aid
  • Social work theories and models in crisis interventions and disaster management
  • Classifications of crisis and disasters
  • Core competencies of social work in pre-disasters (mitigation and preparedness)
  • Core competencies of social work in post-disasters (response and recovery)
  • Challenges of social work roles and tasks in crises and emergencies
  • Working with government, media and larger systems in crises and emergencies
  • Working with other professionals and stakeholder in crises and emergencies
  • Working with individuals, families and communities in various stages of crises and emergencies
  • Contextual (cultural, political, socio-economic and spiritual) considerations of social work practice in crises and humanitarian aid
  • Professional and eth

Learning Outcome

  • Appraise the relevant theories and models in crises and humanitarian aid.
  • Analyse social work core competencies in crises and humanitarian aid.
  • Critique ethical and professional issues in crises and humanitarian aid.
  • Compose the roles and tasks of social workers in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
  • Design transdisciplinary collaboration with different sectors (government and non-government), disciplines, and stakeholders for different types of emergencies.
  • Formulate interventions that enhance the local resources and resilience of communities at different stages of crisis and disaster management.
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