Social development is a professional service which helps individuals, groups and communities obtain social or personal satisfaction and independence.

The aim of teaching this subject is to equip the trainee with knowledge of social development work,its theory and methods so as to to be able to work with individuals, groups and communities.

The subject will also equip trainees with knowledge and skills to assess and apply curative,preventive and developmental intervention measures into social situations.

1.2 General objectives

At the end of this subject,the trainee should be able to:

  • Understand and appreciate social development work as a profession;
  • Understand and explain the role and functions of social development work in National Development;
  • Understand the historical development of social development as a profession;
  • Explain the theory of social development work and how it applies in practice.
  • Describe and apply the various methods of social development work in practical situations;
  • Practice social work in the context of established policies and aspirations
  • Develop into a committed social development worker governed by acquired knowledge.

1.3 Subject summary

  • Introduction to social development work
  • social development work theory
  • Social development work methods
  • Field practicum

1.4 Content

1.4.1 Introduction to social development work

a)Specific objectives

At the end of this topic,the trainee will be able to

  • Define social development work as a profession
  • Understand and explain the indigenous processes or meeting needs and solving problems
  • Understand and explain the similarities and differences between indigenous and contemporary practices in social development work.

b)  Topic outline

-Meaning, nature and scope of social development work

-Historical development of social development work

  • Indigenous processes of meeting social needs and solving problems
  • Similarities and differences between indigenous and contemporary practices of social development work.

-Leaning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Group discussions
  • Class discussions
  • Tutorials

Assessment

  • Tests
  • Oral questions
  • Assignments

1.4.2 Social development work theory

Specific objectives

At the end of this topic, the trainee will be able to;

  • Understand and appreciate the principles, values and ethics of social development work;
  • Understand and explain theory of social development work to practical situations.

Topic outline

-Principles,values and ethics

-Social development work theory

  • Psycho-analytic theory
  • Social learning theory
  • Social system theory
  • Humanistic exinistic theory
  • Conflict theory

-Relationship between theory and practice

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Class discussions
  • Group discussions
  • Role play
  • Tutorials

Assesment

  • Tests
  • Assigments
  • Oral questions

1.4.3 Methods of social development work

Specific objectives

At the end of this topic,the trainee will be able to

  • Understand and explain the methods of social work;
  • Understand and apply the processes of case work,group work and community to practical situations.
  • Relate research skills and techniques to social development work methods;
  • Understand and explain the interrelationships between the various methods of social development work
  • Explain the meaning of social policy and administration.

Topic outline

Method of social development work

Case work

  • Defination of case work
  • Historical development of case work
  • Components of case work
  • Principles of case work
  • Processes of case work
  • Skills and techniques of case work

Group work

  • Defination of group work
  • Principles of group work
  • Elements of group work
  • Processes of group work
  • Types of group work

Community work

  • Community survey
  • Principles of community work
  • Assumptions of community work
  • Components of community work
  • Approaches of community work

Research skills and techniques

  • Statement of research problems
  • Formulation of hyphothesis
  • Research design
  • Data collection
  • Data analysis
  • Data collection
  • Data analysis
  • Conclusion

Social policy and administration

  • Formulation of social policy
  • Interpretation of social policy
  • Implementation and administration of social policy
  • Evaluation

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Class discussions
  • Group discussions
  • Role play

Assesment

  • Tests
  • Oral questions
  • Assigments
  • Observations

1.4.4 Social development work field practicum

Specific objectives

At the end of this topic, the trainee will be able to;

  • Apply the required theoretical knowledge into practical situations
  • Interact with clients
  • Work effectively as a social worker

Topic outline

Field work guidelines

  • Community study
  • Agency administration
  • Report writing
  • Supervision

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Field visits
  • Group discussions
  • Assigments
  • Field attachment

Assesment

  • Written report
  • Supervision report
  • Oral representations
  • Oral examinations