Welfare Words: Key Words in Social Work and Social Welfare

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The aim of this course is to articulate and discuss a range of key words that are central to social work and social welfare. Such words, or phrases include: 'adoption', 'empowerment', 'dependency', 'underclass', 'anti-social behavior', 'therapy', 'care', and 'caring', 'social inclusion', 'customer' etc. Underpinning the Course is the understanding that such words, often highly contentious and subject to a range of differing interpretations, need to be examined in a critical way. In short, there is a need to try to situate such words in a sociological and political context. Moreover, words, such as these, are pivotal in terms of the experiences of those providing and receiving social work and social welfare services. The first hour each week will comprise of a contribution from the Lecturer, followed by a seminar structured around a presentation from students.