Uniben Social Work Undergraduate Syllabus

Course Description BSW111 Introduction to social welfare

An introduction to the basic perspectives, concepts, and theoretical foundation of social welfare, including a critical analysis of the evolution of the welfare state discourse in the post-WWII modern state.

BSW112 Introduction to indigenous social welfare

An introduction to the basic perspectives, concepts, and social and cultural foundation of social welfare systems of Nigeria and other African countries, including a critical analysis of the influence of the colonial history.

BSW121 Introduction to social work

An introduction to the history, knowledge, values, skills and processes of the Anglo-American based social work practice including a critical analysis of its cultural biases.

BSW122 Introduction to indigenous social work practice An introduction to the knowledge, values and skills of different forms of traditional social helping practice in Nigeria and other African countries, including a critical analysis of their cultural and religious foundations.

BSW211 Critical social work theories

Emphasizing on a dialectical understanding of private issues and public problems, this course employs a critical theory perspective to help students appreciate a set of social work theories, including eco-system, psychosocial, structural and anti-oppressive approaches.

BSW212 Social policy analysis and planning

Based on the Introduction of Social Welfare, this course further presents different welfare policy models, policy analysis frameworks, and social planning approaches.

BSW213 Professional and ethical issues of social work This course critically examines the ethical foundation and sociopolitical roles, functions and challenges of the social work profession in carrying out its responsibility in policy, practice and research.

BSW221 Social work invention with individuals and families

Taking a generalist perspective, this course examines the foundation, models, knowledge, skills and processes of working with individuals and families.

BSW222 Communication skills in social work

An experiential introduction of communication theory and interviewing skills and their application in the social work intervention process.

BSW223 Social work intervention with groups

Taking a generalist perspective, this course examines the foundation, purposes and development of different forms of social work groups and how to use their dynamics and composition as a social work intervention.

BSW224 Introduction of statistics for social workers

This course critically examines the different types of statistics, and how they can be used in the social work profession in carrying out its responsibility in policy, practice and research.

BSW311 Community development theories

A critical examination of the concepts, assumptions and limitations of major development theories and their applicability in a Nigerian context.

BSW312 Community development practice

Building on the course Community Development Theories, this course examines the knowledge, values and skills of major community development approaches.

BSW313 Introduction to social work research

Introducing theory and conduct of social research as applied to social welfare and social work practice, this course focuses on the development of social work research questions and different research designs.

BSW314 Social work administration

This course covers basic knowledge and skills in program, financial and human resource planning, monitoring and evaluation at a frontline managerial level.

BSW315 Rural social work

A critical generalist practice will be examined the needs and marginalization of current and emerging client populations in the rural and remote contexts, and issues and challenges of social practice with individuals, families, groups and communities in these context.

BSW316 Block field practicum

A supervised practicum in an assigned human or social service, forty hours a week for a consecutive eight-week period during the Winter break in Year 3. This course will be graded Pass/Fail. BSW317 Integrative seminar I

Parallel with the Block Practicum I, this seminar is to facilitate students integrating theories learned in classroom with practice and policy experienced in the field for the purposes of professional development.

BSW321 Cross cultural social work practice

This course examines the concepts of culture and ethnicity and issues and problems inherent in practicing social work in diverse cultural and religious settings in Nigeria.

BSW322 Program evaluation research

Building upon the Introduction to Social Work Research, this course further examines how to utilize different research methods to evaluate the effectiveness of social work practice and social welfare programs.

BSW323 Social work with women

Employing a critical feminist perspective, this course focuses on exploring the marginalization of social location of women in contemporary welfare regimes and the –professional and political roles and functions of social work practice in women empowerment.

BSW324 Social work with people living with HIV/AIDS This course covers the knowledge and skills in working with individuals and their families suffered from of HIV/AIDS and emphasize on a critical analysis of the social causes of and solutions to this pandemic.

BSW325 Law and social work

This course examines relevant legislations and legal systems of social work practice including constitutional documents and conventions, the court system, the state legislative powers, national and state-wide legislations particularly regarding the rights and protection of children, youth, and women.

BSW326 Abuses in family

This course examines physical, emotional and sexual abuse and violence perpetrated on less powerful individuals in a family context and the roles played by the helping professions in this context.

BSW411 Critical perspectives in international social work Students will be challenged to critically compare the key concepts, theoretical assumptions, and institutional models of social work practice in selected countries and examine their relevance to the indigenization of social work practice in the local context.

BSW412 Concurrent field practicum I

A supervised practicum in an assigned human or social service, twenty-fours hour a week for twenty weeks during the final year of study. This course will be graded Pass/Fail.

BSW413 Advanced integrative seminar

Parallel with the Concurrent Field Practicum, this seminar aims to assist students developing professional judgment, critical reflection and evaluation skills in practice.

BSW414 Graduating project proposal BSW421 Concurrent practicum placement II BSW422 Graduating project Elective (courses offered are subject to the availability and scholarly expertise of the instructors) First Semester BSW 431 Social work with youth

Using a generalist social work practice model, this course will focus on the social-economic and developmental-psychological issues of youth in urban and rural Nigeria. These issues will be examined in the context of family, ethno-cultural diversity, poverty, and social welfare. Social work practice with youth in a variety of social service settings will be introduced. BSW 432 Social work in health setting

This course examines the role of social work in the health setting. Social work theory, values and ethics and working in an interdisciplinary team will be explored. Students will learn to work with clients facing illness, and issues of loss using a holistic psycho-social framework.

BSW 433 School social work

The course is to develop the knowledge and skills of social workers in the school systems. Issues pertinent to vulnerable children and youth, individual and family intervention and advocacy at the public school level will be explored.

BSW 434 Social work in correctional institutions

This course critically examines the roles of social workers in the justice and correctional system. Learning the human rights and social justice perspectives, students will explore how to protect the rights of offenders while facilitating their social rehabilitation process. Employing a restorative justice perspective, students will learn how to reach reconciliation between offenders, victims and the community. Anti-oppressive and indigenous methods of practice will be taught working with people implicated in the correctional system.

Second Semester Electives

BSW 441 Social work with elderly people

This course focuses on the biological, psychological, social, economic, legal and health issues of the Nigerian aging population, and their families and communities. Building upon social work theory, values and skills, students will learn how to assess need and develop strategies to work with the aging population in different settings.

BSW442 Social work with persons with physical disability

This course focuses on the social and cultural context of disability, how disability is defined and recognized at the micro and macro levels. Ways to initiate social change using social work theories, and resources at the family, organizational and community level will be evaluated.

BSW 443 Social work with mentally with challenged people

Students will learn the definition of mental illness and gain an understanding of the basic concepts of some prevalent mental illnesses in Nigeria and assessment techniques and treatment planning. History of mental illness in Nigeria at policy and organizational level and cultural and social stigma will be discussed.

BSW 444 Economic development and social work

This course focuses on the effects of the Nigerian economic structure, imperialism, globalization, and structural adjustment programs on vulnerable populations and the welfare system. Students will be exposed to current social developmental initiatives to counteract these trends and implementing change using a social work perspective.

BSW 445 Sexuality and social work

This course will help students critically examine their individual and societal views around sexual issues from teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, to prostitution using social work values. Students will have an increased knowledge, comfort and communication skills in this area.

BSW 446 Occupational/Industrial social work

Students will learn the laws and legislations protecting the rights of workers in different forms of industrial setting. This course will also focus on how to empower workers and to mediate the

conflicts between workers and their employers. `