Course

Unit 1

Social Work – Conceptualizing and Definitions, Nature, Scope. An overview of methods of Social Work – Primary Methods and Secondary Methods; Micro and Macro Social Work Practice; Social Work Tools & Techniques.

Unit 2

Principles, Values, and Professional Ethics – Principles of Social Work Practice. Importance of Ethics in Professional Social Work, Identifying the values of the Social Work profession, and an approach to dealing with ethical dilemmas. Declaration of Ethics for Professional Social Workers in India, Ethical use of AI in Social Work – Gender Sensitization in Social Work.

Unit 3

Fields of Social Work – Family and Child Welfare, Women Welfare and Development, Youth Welfare and Development, Elderly, Community Development (Rural & Urban), Physical and Mental Health, Correctional Social Work, Labor Welfare and Human Resource Management, New and Emerging fields such as Social Justice and Empowerment, Trauma Informed Care, Environmental Protection, Disaster and Crisis Management. Public Policy and Administration.

Unit 4

Fieldwork and Supervision – Importance of Field Work and Supervision – Emerging Technologies. Problems faced by the Social Work Profession in India. Need for multi-disciplinary knowledge for Professional Social Workers (Social Science, Psychology, Anthropology, Law, Management, Technology), International Social Work, Role of Professional Social Work Associations.

Unit 5

Indian Philosophies and Social Work – Bhakti Movement. Preaching Swami Vivekananda and its relevance – Influence of the life and preaching of Sree Narayana Guru in social upliftment of the downtrodden. Gandhian philosophical foundation to Social Work in India and Sarvodaya Movement – Philosophy of Dr. Ambedkar. Learning from the lives and works of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Sri Baba Amte, and Sadguru Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Text Books / References

Textbooks:

1. Acharya, BC.(2012) ‘A handbook of social work’. New Delhi, Wisdom Press.
2. Bradford, W. Sheafor, Charles, R. Horejsi, & Gloria.A. (1997) ‘Techniques and Guidelines for Social Work’, Fourth Edition. London, Allyn and Bacon, A Viacom Company.
3. Rameshwari, Devi & Ravi Prakash. (2000) ‘Social Work Practice’. Jaipur, Mangal Deep.
4. Reamer, Frederic G. (1999) ‘Social Work Values and Ethics’. New Delhi, Rawat.
5. Bishnu Mohan Dash(2022)  ‘Introduction to Social Work’. Sage Pubns Pvt Ltd 
6. Bhattacharya (2003) ‘Social Work: An Integrated Approach’ Deep & Deep Publications
7. P D Misra (1994) ‘Social Work Philosophy and Methods’ Inter India Publications

Suggested reading:

1. López-Peláez, A. & Kirwan, G. (eds.) (2023). The Routledge International Handbook of Digital Social Work. Routledge. Routledge
2. Ottmann, J. & Noble, G. (eds.) (2024). AI and the Disruption of Welfare: Challenges for Social Work Education and Practice. Routledge. Routledge
3. Jos Antony Joseph & Gracy Fernandes. (2006) ‘An Enquiry into Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work’. Mumbai, Nirmala Niketan.
4. Reamer, F. G. (2023). Artificial Intelligence in Social Work: Emerging Ethical Issues (article/discussion paper) — useful as a short reading on ethics and AI in social work. IJSWVE
5. National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Social Work in an Online World (NASW Press) — practical/field-oriented resource on digital practice.

This course introduces the foundation of social work practice, including its purpose, values, knowledge base, processes, and skills. It emphasizes micro and macro practice, ethics, fields of work, and Indian philosophical contributions. This course provides substantive foundation content in all of the social work areas, ensuring adequate and consistent preparation for more advanced work.

Course Objectives:

1. To introduce students to the foundational concepts, methods, and fields of social work.
2. To enable students to understand the principles and ethics of professional social work.
3. To familiarize students with governmental and non-governmental agencies in the field.
4. To examine the contributions of Indian reformers and philosophies to social work practice.
5. To foster holistic development by linking social work with sustainability, emotional maturity, reflective learning, and responsible technology use.

Course outcome:

1. Apply core knowledge, tools, and skills in social work practice.
2. Analyse and resolve ethical dilemmas using professional values and reflective practices.
3. Identify and evaluate diverse fields of social work considering sustainable development and emerging challenges.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the Indian philosophical and reformist roots of social work.
5. Develop professional competencies in reflection, emotional maturity, sustainability, and ethical technology use aligned with global and national frameworks.

CO-PO Mapping: Course outcome and Program Outcome Mapping.