SOWK 3005 Field Practice I

The field practice component includes hands-on experiences in various social work settings, where students engage in direct service with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Activities involve conducting assessments, developing intervention plans, participating in case management, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Students also take part in supervision sessions, reflective practice discussions, and workshops focused on specific skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and cultural competency. Additionally, they document their experiences through reflective journaling and may engage in community outreach initiatives.

SOWK 3008 Integrative Tutorial 5 (practice in contexts A)

This course is part of the integrative tutorial series, which focuses specifically on understanding the use of various methods and approaches and develop essential professional competencies in diverse social service settings. The series consists of small group discussions designed to help students assimilate knowledge from a diverse array of related courses. Led by staff members from the Department of Social Work, these tutorials provide a platform for students to digest and integrate their learning effectively.

SOWK 3009 Integrative Tutorial 6 (practice in contexts B)

This course is part of the integrative tutorial series and builds upon the content from Integrative Tutorial 5. It will further expand students’ understanding the use of various methods and approaches and develop essential professional competencies in diverse social service settings in diverse social service settings. The series consists of small group discussions designed to help students assimilate knowledge from a diverse array of related courses. Led by staff members from the Department of Social Work, these tutorials provide a platform for students to digest and integrate their learning effectively.

SOWK 3028 Theory & Practice in Social Work: Community Development (I)*

Students will examine and evaluate the major theoretical perspectives and practice approaches of community development. Problems and Issues in the application of community development will be analysed. Students will participate in a variety of simulated situations and exercises to develop their skills.

SOWK 3029 Theory & Practice in Social Work: Community Development (II)*

Students will examine and evaluate the major theoretical perspectives and practice approaches of community development. Problems and Issues in the application of community development will be analysed. Students will participate in a variety of simulated situations and exercises to develop their skills.

SOWK 3038 Theory and Practice in Social Work: Group (I)* 
The course content includes conceptualizing social group work, covering ethics and values in social group work, and principles, rationale, and theoretical models of social group work. It also includes preparing and planning for a group, focusing on skills in group formation and interventions, and developing group proposals and group composition. The course further explores the group process and stages of development, providing theoretical overviews of changes in group structures and processes in different group stages. Finally, the course addresses ethical issues in group work, focusing on key ethical issues that arise in group work. To enhance students’ skills and techniques in social group work, practice tutorials will be organized for small groups within the course.

SOWK 3039 Theory and Practice in Social Work: Group (II)*

The course content includes several key areas. It begins with leadership, power, and empowerment, which covers preparing group sessions, programme planning, leadership, decision making, conflict, and problem solving. It also explores group dynamics and valuing diversity, focusing on the roles and status of group members, group cohesion, communication within groups, and the values and norms in groups. The course also explores the applications of treatment groups and task groups in social work practice, as well as leading growth and counseling groups. Finally, it addresses group evaluation and the processes involved in termination and separation of group members. To enhance students’ skills and techniques in social group work, practice tutorials will be organized for small groups within the course.

SOWK 3048 Theory & Practice in Social Work: Individual (I)*

This course provides an introductory exploration of the major theoretical perspectives and practice approaches of social casework. Key contents include an introduction to working with individuals, which encompasses an overview of counseling theories, ethical practices, and individual work as an empowering practice. The course delves into various methodologies, such as psychosocial and psychodynamic approaches, as well as person-centered therapies, cognitive-behavioral approaches, solution-focused therapy, transactional analysis, and narrative approaches. Practice tutorials provide opportunities for simulated situations and exercises to develop relevant skills. The total teaching hours are structured across various parts, with specific allocations dedicated to each approach and topic, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field.

SOWK 3049 Theory & Practice in Social Work: Individual (II)*

SOWK 4006 Comparing Social Welfare in Global and Chinese Contexts

This course offers an overview of social welfare in Chinese societies, comparing it with the diverse conditions and practices in other countries, particularly Asian countries. It starts with an examination of ideologies, social structures, and political governance in China and other nations. The development and evolution of social welfare systems are explored, focusing on civil affairs, welfare institutions, and social organizations. The roles of NGOs, regional, and global actors in providing welfare services are discussed, along with the development, types, and challenges of social security systems. Community work and services, including the roles of street offices and residents' committees, are analyzed, as well as community building initiatives. The course also covers the development and indigenization of social work practices, supervision, and the issues and challenges faced by the profession. Finally, current issues such as unemployment, migrant populations, and social inequalities across various Asian countries are examined.

SOWK4008-9 Field Practice II

This is the second supervised field practice in the programme of study. It usually requires two days per week and takes place during the fourth year of the programme. The field practice component includes hands-on experiences in various social work settings, where students engage in direct service with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Activities involve conducting assessments, developing intervention plans, participating in case management, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Students also take part in supervision sessions, reflective practice discussions, and workshops focused on specific skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and cultural competency. Additionally, they document their experiences through reflective journaling and may engage in community outreach initiatives.

SOWK 4018 Integrative Tutorial 7 (operational issues in contexts A)

This course is part of the integrative tutorial series, concentrating on the skills and knowledge essential for addressing diverse and critical issues in the social work profession. The series consists of small group discussions designed to help students assimilate knowledge from a diverse array of related courses. Led by staff members from the Department of Social Work, these tutorials provide a platform for students to digest and integrate their learning effectively.

SOWK 4019 Integrative Tutorial 8 (operational issues in contexts B)

This course is part of the integrative tutorial series and build upon Integrated Tutorial 7. It wih further expand students’ understanding of the skills and knowledge essential for addressing diverse and critical issues in the social work profession. The series consists of small group discussions designed to help students assimilate knowledge from a diverse array of related courses. Led by staff members from the Department of Social Work, these tutorials provide a platform for students to digest and integrate their learning effectively.

SOWK 4898-9 Social Work Honours Project

The objectives of the Honours Project are to provide students with an opportunity to integrate social work theories and methods into their personal and professional orientation. These may include demonstrating originality, creativity, analytical skills, and problem-solving competence, and applying their knowledge and fieldwork experiences to the project.

SOWK 1006 Human Development through the Life Span 

The course includes a comprehensive examination of human development across the lifespan, focusing on the interplay of biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors. It covers various developmental theories, key characteristics, and challenges associated with different life stages, as well as the importance of professional intervention in addressing specific developmental issues. The content also encourages personal reflection on individual growth and development.

SOWK 4005 Administration in Human Service Organizations

The focus is on studying selective organizational theories with the aim of fostering a general understanding of human service organizations. Another objective is to help students to comprehend the process, function and skills of management in these agencies. Case studies are used to illustrate the application of administration in social welfare agencies especially in the Hong Kong context.

SOWK 4007 Families and Social Work

This course builds on the foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills for working with families as provided in earlier theory and skill courses. The students will examine the development stages of families and problems that families may encounter. The role of social workers in family services will be examined and family policies and services will be analysed with particular reference to the local context.

SOWK 4205 Disadvantaged Groups and Social Work

This course delves into the intricate dynamics of social disadvantage and oppression, beginning with an exploration of key concepts such as social division, structured inequality, and marginalization. It then critically examines various theoretical frameworks, including structural-functional, liberal-individualist, Marxist, feminist, and post-structural/postmodernist perspectives. The course also addresses the lived experiences of disadvantaged groups, such as migrants, marginalized youth, the poor, LGBTQI individuals, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities. Finally, it focuses on developing anti-oppressive social work practices, covering structural social work, empowerment practices, critical social work, anti-oppressive strategies, and the ethical considerations involved.

SOWK 4206 Older People and Social Work

This course provides students with an understanding of the ageing process and its implications for social work practice. Social deprivation and difficulties faced by older people will be explored, especially in the local context. The existing health and social care policies and services for the older people in Hong Kong will be critically examined. This course also introduces different social work intervention approaches to working with older people.

SOWK 4207 People with Mental Health Problems and Social Work
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of a range of theories on the scope and causes of mental illness. Different approaches to working with people with mental health problems and their families will be discussed. Existing local policies and legislation pertaining to mental illness will be critically examined. Methods of assessment, intervention and prevention, especially from a social work perspective, will also be explored.

SOWK 4215 Youth and Social Work 
The objectives of this course are to review contemporary theories and perspectives for understanding youth with particular reference to the socio-economic and political context of Hong Kong, critically examine the discourses on specific dimensions of youth in Hong Kong, and examine and evaluate selected youth services and approaches to youth work with a review to promoting positive changes.

SOWK 4216 Gender and Social Work
This subject encompasses perspectives of feminisms and intersectionality in social work practice, critically examining gender and sexuality issues within social work and social welfare. It emphasizes understanding the principles and strategies of feminist social work and their application with women, men, and LGBTQ groups in the local context, providing knowledge and skills essential for practicing feminist social work.

SOWK 4225 Data Methodology in Social Sciences Research 

This course covers the basic concepts, approaches and methods in social science using linear modeling methods. The course comprises of seminar and lab sessions. Each class will start with a seminar when the instructor to discuss related concepts and students will be required to participate in discussion. Then, the class will move into the lab session when students are either required to present their own research ideas or practice statistical skills using the software SPSS. Students will have to complete weekly lab assignments. Final paper involves the generation of a publishable manuscript based on students’ research area of interests. In the first part of the course, student will learn how to construct their own conceptual model and specify hypotheses based on existing theories and literatures. In the second part of the course, students will identify a secondary data set related to their conceptual models and learn about data management skills. In the third part, students will learn about the concepts and lab skills of bivariate analysis. The fourth part of the course covers introductory concepts and lab skills of multiple regression. Last, students will have the opportunity to learn about manuscript writing and consult the instructors regarding their paper.

SOWK 4226 Career Facilitation and Counselling

Interdisciplinary Thematic Courses -

Science, Technology and Society

Interdisciplinary Thematic Courses -

Sustainable Communities

Interdisciplinary Thematic Courses -

Culture, Creativity and Innovation

GE Capstone

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