| CODE | SWP5142 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Personal Development | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Social Policy and Social Work | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | During this study-unit, students will relate theoretical precepts and methods to practice in experiential workshop settings. Students will also have the opportunity to relate their own experiences from the field to the theory being covered. In addition, the sessions will also provide the milieu for students to practice and engage in activities that relate to theory. The sessions are intended to provide a venue for student’s guided personal and professional development, self awareness and appraisal. The emphasis will be on the acquisition of skills for practice, critical awareness of attitudes and the development of reflexivity. During this unit, students are offered a residential experience running over approximately three days. This will be a group experience whereby, through self-disclosure and feedback, the participants experience and learn what it means to be sensitive to themselves and to others. Within the safety of a group environment, students will be encouraged to take a closer look at their personal lives and identify possible issues that may hinder them in their professional work. The group provides the safety, encouragement and feedback that may be needed while a student works on his/her issue that may be impeding him/her from growth. The aim is to offer students the opportunity to know and understand themselves and others at a deeper level, in this way initiating a process of self-awareness and personal growth. The latter is done with particular attention to their future profession in social work. Study-Unit Aims: - To provide opportunities for personal and professional development, self awareness and appraisal. - To encourage students to look at themselves as whole persons and as developing social workers. - To enable students to take a life-course perspective on issues related to personal and professional development. - To introduce and consolidate a range of theories, research and ideas which will help students to develop their understanding of social work and human development. - To empower students to look at and understand the impact of their own life course development on their social work practice. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe and critically reflect on the developmental milestones of childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age as they pertain to their own lives and that of potential service-users; - Demonstrate understanding of the theories of human life course development and their application to social work practice; - Describe and analyse why knowledge and understanding of human development throughout the life course are important to social work practice; - Show that they understand the importance of personal value clarification in becoming a social worker; - Demonstrate that they understand the importance of professional boundaries in social work practice. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate that they are able to assess human situations, taking into account a variety of factors; - Identify and keep under review their own personal and professional boundaries; - Show that they are able to critically reflect on their own personal values and life events and the impact of the latter on their development and practice; - Demonstrate that they are critically able to reflect on their experience of growth and development; - Demonstrate, through their written work, that they are able to adopt a reflective practice stance; - Show that they can engage in self awareness and personal growth. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Crawford, K., Walker, J., (2010). Social Work and Human Development. Exeter, Learning Matters. - Mathews, I., Simpson, D., & Crawford, K. (2014). Your social work practice placement: From start to finish. London: Sage. Supplementary Readings: - Corey, G. (2012). Theory and practice of group counseling. California: Brooks/Cole. - Corey, G., & Schneider Corey, M. (2013). I never knew I had a choice: Explorations in personal growth. California: Brooks/Cole. - Davis, M., & Robbins Eshelman, E. (2008). The relaxation and stress reduction workbook. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. - Engel, B. (2007). Healing your emotional self: A powerful program to help you raise your self-esteem, quiet your inner ciritic, and overcome your shame. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. - Fensterheim, H., & Baer, J. (1998). Don’t say ‘yes’ when you want to say ‘no’. London: Futura. - Gladding, S. T. (2011). Group work: A counseling specialty. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. - Gottlieb, M. M. (1999). The angry self: A comprehensive approach to anger management. Phoenix, Arizona: Zeig, Tucker & Co. - Johnson D.W., (2012). Reaching Out: Interpersonal effectiveness and self- actualization. USA: Allyn & Bacon. - Kennerley, H. (2009). Overcoming anxiety: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. London: Robinson. - Kubler Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2005) On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. London: Simon & Schuster. - Lindenfield, G. (2011). Managing anger: Simple steps to dealing with frustration and threat. London: Thorsons. - Lindenfield, G. (2014). Self-esteem: Simple steps to build your self-confidence. London: HarperCollins. - Looker, T., & Gregson, O. (2009). Teach yourself managing stress: Teach yourself general. London: Thorsons. - Nelson-Jones, R., (2006). Human relationship skills: Coaching and self-coaching. London: Hold, Rinehart and Winston. - Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: Entry qualifications for the Master of Social Work | ||||||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study | ||||||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Benna Chase Samuel Fenech |
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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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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