University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Vienna Bachelor Social Work Contact information for student mobility: Isabell Darabi, isabell.darabi@fh-campuswien.ac.at Sonja Beran, sonja.beran@fh-campuswien.ac.at Details about the application procedure under: https://www.fh-campuswien.ac.at/en/studies/international/paths-to-vienna.html Our degree program is mostly run in German. In two regular seminar groups we try to offer courses in English (app. 30 ECTS per term). This means that our regular students and incoming students take classes together. In study year 2015/16 we will offer the following courses in English: Title ECTS Term Fundamentals of Psychology, Pedagogy and Sociology 4 Winter Communication and Presentation 2 Winter Praxis Reflection 2 Winter Gender and Diversity 1 Winter Counselling 2 Winter Sociology 4 Winter Perspectives of Political Science 4 Winter Political Economics and Development Policy 3 Winter Mediation and Negotiation 2 Winter Elective in Methods: Intercultural Social Work 2 Winter Current Topics in Social Work: Spanning Global Perspectives on 2 Winter Migration and Social Work Current Topics in Social Work: Development Policy 2 Winter Austrian Culture 2 Winter Child, Youth and Family 3 Summer Social Pedagogy 3 Summer Psychology 3 Summer Practical Reflection 2 Summer Social Work with Groups 2 Summer Methods of Individual Aid 2 Summer Migration 2 Summer Social Work Theories 4 Summer Professional Ethics 2 Summer Organization, Documentation, Evaluation 4 Summer Austrian Culture 2 Summer Page 1/11
English Courses in Winter Term 2015/16 Title and ECTS Fundamentals of Psychology, Pedagogy and Sociology 4 ECTS Communication and Presentation Praxis Reflection From a psychological perspective, an overview of perception, intelligence and theories of personalities, as well as theories of learning, will be presented. The basic forms of pedagogy will be explored with a special focus on approaches to child raising, learning and theories of education. The sociological perspectives explore theories of social control or, where appropriate, deviant behaviour. In addition, social exclusion, social disadvantages/discrimination, the connection between material, economic and social problems and processes of community exclusion will be broached. Student gain an overview of the various forms of communication in social work (i.e. counselling, negotiation, mediation, accompaniment in voluntary and mandated contexts) and explore various aspects/concepts of communication theoretically and as related to praxis (i.e. analysis of the course of a conversation). As a foundation of communicative ability, basic competences will be practised such as active listening, sending I- messages, and receiving and dealing with feedback in a constructive way. Basics of presentations techniques that the students need in the framework of the course of study will also be communicated, practised and deepened. Based on the learning experience gained in the practical placement context, students will learn to examine concrete case analyses and methods as well as theoretical and conceptual foundations of praxis organization. In preparation for the practical placement in the following semester, detailed planning of the instruction-period, especially the exploration of general and personal learning-goals will take place. Page 2/11
Title and ECTS Gender and Diversity 1 ECTS Counselling Sociology 4 ECTS Students receive insight into the foundations and the historical development of feministic, gender and diversity theories, whereby difference and variety as well as processes of establishing difference will become more concrete given the core criteria of diversity. Central concepts, such as for example construction and deconstruction or doing gender, will be communicated and the students will learn how to reflect upon their own gender roles, their knowledge and experiences. The integration of gender and diversity aspects in communication and action strategies of students are of central importance in this course. In addition, students learn concrete approaches to work in social work so that the foundations of gender and diversity management are taken into consideration. The central focus of this course revolves around typical schemes of progress and the structuring of counselling interviews in settings with individual clients, families, or systems. Role-plays provide a starting point for professional reflection of conversations. Here, special attention is paid to a respectful attitude and mode of engagement. Differing approaches to counselling (i.e. systemic, solution-oriented, person-centred, psychoanalytical) will be introduced and the systemic-solution oriented consultation will be especially practiced in role-plays. Students are introduced to central sociological theories, concepts and systems on the macro-, meso- and microsociological levels. Relationships between society and the individual within social structures, institutions / networks and social interaction in primary groups will be analysed and reflected upon. Special attention will be paid to social inequality and social exclusion. In response to guiding questions in select special sociologies (e.g. organisations sociology, educational sociology, criminal sociology) the students learn to use sociological perspectives to understand social problem for the praxis of social work and to reflect upon and connect to current developments in the fields of social work. Page 3/11
Title and ECTS Perspectives of Political Science 4 ECTS Political Economics and Development Policy 3 ECTS Mediation and Negotiation Elective in Methods: Intercultural Social Work In this course students are introduced to the foundations and terminology of political processes, political communication and the aggregation of interests. Given concepts such as nation, democracy, public realm, political culture or power, central perspectives of political action in social work will be communicated. Subsequently, given select political fields, students are given the opportunity to analyse the connections between politics and social work and learn to develop political action in the tension between representative systems and non-formalised areas of politics. In this course the students receive an overview of the schools of thought and theories of economics, perspectives of political economics, political economics terminology and relevant economic and developmental political actors. Development politics and economics explore the organisation of that what is necessary for life, which is the thematic context of this course. Connections between economics (at the local as well as the global level) and social work in national and international contexts will be presented with their societal, political and historic connections. Given select economic political themes such as, e.g. public sector, third sector, work, international trade, the student will be encouraged to reflect upon their attitudes to economics and to connect their knowledge to their fieldwork. In this course students will examine the causes and phases of conflicts as well as the levels of escalation. Basic attitudes, basic principles and techniques of mediation as well as their possibilities and limits in the context of social work will be presented and tested in role-plays. An important topic of this course is also gaining insight into the preparation and implementation of negotiations in private and professional contexts (e.g. as a resource to establish systems of help in the context of social work). The emphasis of this course lies in the target group oriented consulting and counselling offers for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Austria. The following range of topics will be treated: Social organizations and their activities; the holistic intercultural work principles; general overview of the life situation of the clients; Migration and integration. Page 4/11
Title and ECTS Current Topics in Social Work: Spanning Global Perspectives on Migration and Social Work In the globalized world we live in today, the debate on migration and integration is ever present and of utmost importance in the area of social work. Social exclusion, antagonism, marginalisation and social dumping of immigrants and refugees are some of the negative aspects of migration, which integration policies and methods aim to counteract. In this module various innovative and successful strategies are highlighted, which states and organisations have used to promote integration. Examples of approaches that have had detrimental effects are also discussed. Three very different pairs of European and Middle Eastern countries are compared, in order to gain insight from their diverse approaches to integration and the pivotal role of social work within those processes. These include two Nordic countries (Finland and Sweden), two post -colonial countries (UK and France), as well as two Middle Eastern countries (Lebanon and Jordan), which have been facing major regional refugee influxes, seriously destabilizing the countries political and social structures. As will be discussed, migration flows in the Middle East have global impacts, and current questions of integration and diverse identities within Europe, are intrinsically linked to what goes on in that region. It is analysed how the conception and definition of human life, dignity, worth and welfare within a culture and the respective legislature, inform integration policies and their implementation. Parallels are drawn to the Austrian sociopolitical approach and history of integration. This module aims to investigate contemporary theories and major debates within migration studies and related fields, such as anti-discrimination legislation and positive discrimination, equality and diversity debates, multiculturalism and the role of the media. Time allowing, special emphasis will be placed on the specific challenges of children and youth, as well as their particular identity struggles. Page 5/11
Title and ECTS Current Topics in Social Work: Development Policy Austrian Culture This course is offered by our International Office for all Incoming Students The development of the modern cruising industry will be discussed as well as the exploration/colonialism at that time, a source of unjust structure was developed at this period and has influenced the division of the world in rich and poor countries. Social and rural development - gender; NGO engagement; poverty alleviation; social movements and welfare systems in different societies, vulnerability and poverty in global economy, World bank, IMF, debt policy, fair trade, UN Millenium goals, Global Marshall Plan, development and development projects will be discussed, in order to understand the independence between the rich north and the so called poor south. Framework of the Course: Course consists of two parts: theory sessions + practical sessions Dates and locations: theoretical sessions will take place at FH Campus Wien on Mondays from 6 pm to 7:30 pm every other week; practical sessions normally take place in Vienna on Monday evenings but there can be exceptions. Grading and ECTS: There will be no grade Upon successful completion of the course the students will be awarded There will be no exam; but students are expected to actively participate in the lessons i.e. participate in group discussions, give short presentations, etc. If students need additional ECTS, they can hand in a paper (around 5 pages) in either German or English on a subject that has to be agreed on Additions, cancellations and changes may though occur. Language of instruction: Language of Instruction is English Costs: At the beginning of the course students need to contribute 30 towards expenses - apart from that there will be no extra costs for the students (also in the practical session) Page 6/11
English Courses in Summer Term 2016 Courses and ECTS Child, Youth and Family 3 ECTS Social Pedagogy 3 ECTS Psychology 3 ECTS Students receive an introduction to family work, systems, structures, functions and roles. In doing so, the idea of children as symptom carriers is central to the professional analysis and action plan (i.e. help in questions of raising children, communicating offers of support to the family). In addition, there is an introduction to special problem areas such as (alcohol) dependent parents, families in dissolution, child custody and visitation agreements. In regards to the problem of danger to child wellbeing, students learn to consider specific terminology, steps in the interventions process and the range of social work and social pedagogical solution strategies. Students explore educational theories through historic and cultural developments and societal modernisation processes. They receive an overview of (social)pedagogical institutions and educational facilities and their relevance for learning and educational processes. In addition, they learn social pedagogical methods and structuring processes for everyday life as well as practical implementation. The course explores the foundations of psychological development and the psychosocial conditions of change. In doing so, theoretical approaches and research results regarding the question of nature or nurture, early childhood development, hospitalism, bonding research, concepts of developmental stages and resiliency research. The evaluation of child related problems, instruments of developmental diagnostics, learning handicaps, learning blocks and burden some situations will be introduced. The problem situations will be explored from a psychological point of view. Page 7/11
Courses and ECTS Practical Reflection Social Work with Groups While absolving the practical placement, the continuous theory led reflection and analysis of various personal and professional experiences in individual and group contexts will be set in the foreground. The integration of students own experiences and the exchange within the group deepen the professional understanding and offer a valuable contribution to the development of the profession identity. Students learn to deal with team and organisational structures, case analyses, theoretical and conceptual foundations of practical organisations, and methodical action. Fulltime: Before the practical placement, the preparation and detailed planning of this phase of training will take place. Specific thematic focus points, which carry practical relevancy, will be acquired. Furthermore, students will confront themselves with general learning-goals and set concrete personal goals. In this course, the meaning of social work in and with groups and teams as a goal oriented instrument for individual learning, and for the design of social learning processes will be communicated. Students become acquainted with the requirements for the acquisition of professionalism as a participant and as leader of groups and teams. Topics of the course will be: diverse work with groups in social work as an entrance to life settings and milieus (i.e. in youth work), a (pedagogical) offer of support (i.e. organised self-help groups), the foundation and accompaniment of interest groups (i.e. in community work) as well as the role of social workers and social pedagogues in groups. The use of group case studies is helpful, however the reflected group experience of the students as participants in the course remains the central focus. Page 8/11
Courses and ECTS Methods of Individual Aid Migration Social Work Theories 4 ECTS Casework as a form of work and method in social work, including historical developments, theoretical foundations and ethical implication, will be deepened. Given concrete cases, we will practise, for example, seeing multiple perspectives of a case, the circular problem solution process, the possibility of planned intervention and design, the analysis of organisational framework conditions, the topic of documentation and evaluation, as well as the limits to cooperation with experts from other disciplines. In doing so, a special focus will be laid on the implementation of the principle of life-setting oriented social work such as successful everyday life, participation, normalisation, reflection, etc. Students will get to know the causes and dynamics of (global) migration as well as the effects of migration on the countries of origin and immigration countries, and will engage with flight as a special form of migration. They will be given an overview of the migration population in Austria and confront themselves with the worlds and circumstances of life of migrants and their offspring. The relevant organisations in the field will be introduced, and intercultural proceedings discussed. With the help of case examples, the students intercultural competence will be strengthened, and concrete courses of action will be acquired. Students receive an introduction in select theoretical approaches from both the recent history and the present developments of social work. Students learn to differentiate between theories according to their central assumptions, theses and terminology and to contextualize them in relation to special problem situations in social work. Page 9/11
Courses and ECTS Professional Ethics Organization, Documentation, Evaluation 4 ECTS Students are introduced to the foundations of ethics, especially to the ethics of social work. They study individual and social relevant themes in depth in as they apply to social work (e.g. freedom, justice, responsibility, human dignity) and they recognize moral conflicts or dilemmas, as well as structural problem situations of professional work. They receive basic knowledge of professional ethics, in relation to that they are introduced to international agreements and discourses and can critically reflect upon these in light of the development of their professional identity and the potential entrance into their professional field. Students acquire theoretical, foundational knowledge of business related terminology and organisational forms, including their functional construction and execution as is relevant for the social sector. Students explore goals and mission statements as well as systems for evaluation and documentation. Along with a differentiated presentation of the supporters of the social economic sector, themes like quality control and development, models of finance, the cultures of organisations as well as client relevant documentation and evaluation are explored. Page 10/11
Courses and ECTS Austrian Culture This course is offered by our International Office for all Incoming Students Framework of the Course: Course consists of two parts: theory sessions + practical sessions Dates and locations: theoretical sessions will take place at FH Campus Wien on Mondays from 6 pm to 7:30 pm every other week; practical sessions normally take place in Vienna on Monday evenings but there can be exceptions. Grading and ECTS: There will be no grade Upon successful completion of the course the students will be awarded There will be no exam; but students are expected to actively participate in the lessons i.e. participate in group discussions, give short presentations, etc. If students need additional ECTS, they can hand in a paper (around 5 pages) in either German or English on a subject that has to be agreed on Language of instruction: Language of Instruction is English Costs: At the beginning of the course students need to contribute 30 towards expenses - apart from that there will be no extra costs for the students (also in the practical session) Additions, cancellations and changes may though occur. Page 11/11