Social Work (dual)

Knowledge and skills objectives

Graduates are familiar with the historical development of social work and social pedagogy and understand social work as an independent discipline and profession. They have a basic understanding of key definitions in national and international discourse and are aware of the special ethical obligations that require reflection on their own professional actions.

Module content

The module traces the historical development and convergence debates of social pedagogy and social work and highlights the development towards an independent science. It covers key definitions (e.g., those of the IFSW), subject definitions, the social function, and the dual mandate of social work. In addition, ethical aspects and reflection on one's own values and norms are introduced.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will learn about the entire spectrum of pedagogy and acquire knowledge about educational professions and their historical foundations. They will be able to describe the concepts of socialization, upbringing, education, and learning and relate them to fields of social pedagogy. They will be able to critically examine everyday pedagogical phenomena and develop their own professional stance.

Module content

The lecture provides an introduction to the basic concepts and findings of pedagogy. The seminar takes an in-depth look at a specific sub-discipline of pedagogy (e.g., social pedagogy, special education, experiential education), focusing on its theories and relationship to social work.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Graduates will have practical strategies and reflective skills for dealing with information and knowledge. They will be able to define relevant information needs, use digital methods of information retrieval, and present the results of scientific research in a targeted manner. They will have mastered the basics of scientific work, which will enable them to engage in independent, lifelong learning, and will be able to identify their own further training needs.

Module content

The module teaches the theoretical foundations of science and important concepts of scientific work and thinking. Students learn how to work with literature and write scientific texts. In the “Self-directed learning” section, students identify their support needs and put together an individual continuing education program from the services offered by the university (e.g., library, writing workshop, career service).

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students transfer their initial practical experience to theoretical and methodological knowledge. They are able to identify social problems and understand their interaction with clients and colleagues. In addition, they learn methods for critically reflecting on their professional actions and acquire the ability to provide collegial advice, including giving and receiving constructive feedback. The learning process promotes self-awareness, reflection on study motivation, and the beginning development of a professional identity.

Module content

The focus is on linking social work theory and practice using examples from the respective practical activities. In this first module, the testing of knowledge and skills in the practical learning environment is reflected upon and evaluated with a particular focus on the competence of “problem perception,” whereby basic competence models are introduced that can be continuously referred to in subsequent semesters. In addition to the needs-oriented development of theoretical content, the goals and results of the activities are jointly reflected upon in the form of supervision and collegial consultation.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will understand the classic methods of social work (individual case work, social group work, community work) and learn about the principles, forms, and techniques of counseling and conversation techniques. They will be able to structure support processes and reflect on their own view of humanity in the intervention.

Module content

The lecture covers the characteristics and theoretical foundations of traditional methods. The seminar focuses on professional counseling, the design of counseling processes, and teaches practical conversation techniques and intervention strategies.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students gain an overview of different paradigms in psychology and their significance for human experience and behavior. They acquire knowledge about the determinants of human development, learn to predict developmental trajectories, and reflect on personal resilience and vulnerabilities.

Module content

The module introduces psychology as a basis for action and reflection. Part A covers fundamental theories, paradigms, and social psychological topics such as social perception and group dynamics. Part B focuses on the determinants of human development, mental disorders, attachment, and emotions.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students acquire a basic understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches in sociology and social policy. They learn to relate social and political phenomena to one another and to apply the knowledge they have acquired in the context of social work.

Module content

The sociology lecture introduces basic concepts such as social action, inequality, and power. The social policy lecture covers topics such as the history of the welfare state, political decision-making processes, and the role of social movements. The aim is to understand the conditions that give rise to social problems.

Knowledge and skills objectives 

Students gain legal access to key areas of work, recognize the importance of legal structures as the foundation for professional practice, and learn to distinguish between the basic principles of public and private law. They acquire the ability to apply administrative law instruments in social law in order to plan and manage social work.

Contents of the module

The section “Law and Social Work” teaches the social significance of law, the German legal system, and specific professional duties. The section “General Social Law” deals with the basic principles of social law and the process of administrative proceedings under social law.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students deepen the transfer between practical experience and theoretical knowledge by developing a scientifically sound understanding of social problems and how to deal with them. They are able to present their understanding of cases in an intersubjective manner. In addition, they further develop the methodological, social, and personal skills they acquired in previous semesters.

Module content

This module focuses on the competency of “understanding problems.” Knowledge is tested in a practical learning environment and reflected upon in a case-oriented or casuistic manner. This builds on the interdisciplinary basic knowledge acquired in the first and early second semesters. As in the entire module series, professional guidance, collegial consultation, and supervision are an integral part of the content.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will learn about the epistemological and scientific foundations of social work as well as relevant disciplinary theories. They will be able to apply their knowledge to typical tasks, process it in a scientific and reflective manner, and critically analyze the social function and mission of social work.

Module content

The module covers social work science as a discipline, its subject matter, and its function. Current disciplinary theories are presented and their connection to practice is discussed.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students acquire basic knowledge of media studies and media education and are able to classify the effects of mediatization and digitization on society and individuals. They can apply this knowledge to specific fields of action and develop approaches to media education that are tailored to the target audience and action-oriented.

Module content

The lecture covers the fundamentals of media theory, media history, and reception and impact research. This knowledge is deepened in an elective seminar, e.g., through the analysis of media phenomena, educational media research, or the use and production of media in the context of social work.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students deepen their knowledge of sociology and social policy. They hone their sociological thinking skills by studying fundamental works and learn to apply their knowledge to explain social work practice. In the area of social policy, they analyze current challenges facing the welfare state.

Module content

The module builds on the fundamentals covered in the first semester. The seminars examine key issues in sociology (e.g., inequality, deviance, organization) and social policy (e.g., poverty, work, health) in depth using examples.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students acquire a basic understanding of key economic concepts and theoretical approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on the organization of social work, the interaction between the state and independent welfare services, and the service-oriented nature of social work.

Module content

The lecture introduces basic economic concepts (market, state, macroeconomics, and microeconomics). In an elective seminar, students will either explore the fundamentals of economic sociology (e.g., variants of capitalism and the welfare state) or delve deeper into topics related to socioeconomics and organization (e.g., financing social work, social entrepreneurship).

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students combine practical experience with methodological knowledge, enabling them to increasingly plan, analyze, and justify their professional actions independently. This builds on the reflective skills and social competencies already acquired in previous practical modules.

Module content

In this semester, practical activities are reflected upon and evaluated with a particular focus on the competency “planning actions.” Students conduct needs analyses for their respective target groups. On this basis and following on from the module “Action Concepts and Methods 1,” they plan appropriate professional approaches. Reflective elements and supervision accompany this planning process.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students acquire in-depth knowledge of action plans and methods. They gain application-oriented knowledge of specific procedures and instruments and are able to initiate, plan, and design support processes in a professionally sound manner.

Module content

The module deepens methodological competence. Students must attend two of three elective areas:

• A. Methodological concepts of individual case work (e.g., case management)
• B. Methodological concepts of social group work (e.g., social training courses)
• C. Methodological concepts of community work (e.g., neighborhood management)

Knowledge and skills objectives 

Students will become aware of social and health problems and learn about prevention, health promotion, and rehabilitation options. They will be able to use their knowledge to critically analyze social work processes and recognize the contribution of health sciences to social work problem solving.

Module content

The lecture introduces students to health and rehabilitation science approaches and covers topics such as social inequality and health. The seminar explores selected perspectives in greater depth, such as relevant clinical pictures, psychosocial crises, and clinical social work.

Knowledge und skills objectives

Students expand their legal knowledge to include selected, practice-relevant areas of law. They learn how to apply the legal instruments of the SGB and BGB in order to achieve social work goals.

Module content

This module deepens students' legal knowledge. It consists of a compulsory lecture on child and youth welfare law and an elective lecture in which students can choose between welfare law (SGB II/XII) and family law.

Knowledge and skills

Students will be able to plan, implement, and evaluate projects independently. They will be familiar with the theoretical principles of project management and the various project phases, and will be able to apply appropriate project management tools and techniques.

Module content

The lecture covers the fundamentals of social and project management, including organizational theory, project phases, and relevant tools such as needs analyses, target group analyses, and schedules. The exercise provides practical training in developing a project concept and preparing for implementation.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will be able to analyze professional actions in an increasingly critical manner, review them in light of professional goals, and consider them in a broader context. The transfer between practice and theory serves to qualitatively review one's own work.

Module content

The content focuses on the competency of “reviewing actions.” Following on from the “Social Work 2” module, social work theories are used as a basis for reflection in order to examine professional actions in the respective practical setting. In addition to theory-based reflection and case work, collegial consultation and supervision remain central elements of the module.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will learn about fundamental social philosophy and individual ethics theories and will be able to reflect on these in relation to social work. They will be able to examine values and norms and structure cases using ethical decision-making models.

Module content

The module teaches knowledge of ethical concepts, the analysis of values and norms, and theories of justice and society. A central topic is ethical decision-making and philosophical reflection on human action.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students acquire knowledge about the connections between power, discrimination, and inequality with regard to various dimensions of diversity. They recognize how difference is reproduced, learn to perceive power dynamics, and develop strategies for incorporating this reflection into professional action to promote inclusion.

Module content

The module imparts knowledge on the analysis of social conditions in the context of gender, diversity, and disability. Topics covered include intersectionality, anti-discrimination, disability studies, sexism, racism, and professional concepts for dealing with difference.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students integrate their existing knowledge with a view to specific fields of action and target groups. They learn to combine theoretical and practical knowledge, develop options for action, plan measures tailored to specific target groups, and reflect critically on these measures. They deepen their career orientation.

Module content

In this and the following semesters, students choose one seminar from a wide range of specific fields of action, such as social work in child and youth welfare, social work and school, elderly care, health care, or in the context of migration and refugees.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will learn the fundamentals of empirical social research and acquire data literacy skills. They will become familiar with qualitative, quantitative, and participatory research methods and will be able to apply these to various research topics in social work. They will be able to classify empirical results in a professional manner and put them to practical use.

Module content

The lecture teaches the theoretical fundamentals of empirical social research. In the accompanying exercise, this content is explored in greater depth using sample studies, and selected aspects (e.g., creating a questionnaire or guideline) are applied in practice.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will be able to flexibly modify their methodological approach in order to respond to changing needs of target groups, current professional debates, or changing social conditions. In doing so, they will combine practical experience with advanced methodological knowledge.

Module content

Reflection on practical activities focuses on the competency of “modifying actions.” Following on from the “Social and Project Management” module, students plan, implement, and evaluate their own project at their respective practical training sites. The focus here is on project management and evaluation methods, as well as ongoing supervision.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will learn the basics of labor law and the collective bargaining system. They will become familiar with labor market-related organizational forms such as professional associations and will be able to critically analyze working conditions in order to develop options for psychosocial self-care.

Module content

The lecture covers the basics of labor law (employee rights, collective bargaining law, minimum wage). In an elective seminar, either labor market-related organizational forms (e.g., professional associations, self-employment) or specific challenges in everyday working life (e.g., dealing with violence, stress, conflicts) are discussed.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students learn to view social work from an international perspective and to understand the significance of transnational developments for local practice. They are able to draw on culturally sensitive and anti-racist programs and develop their own concepts for action.

Module content

The module deals with transnational phenomena such as migration, climate change, social inequality, and racism. It conveys an anti-essentialist understanding of culture and reflects on the implications of these global issues for local professional social work practice.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students integrate their existing knowledge with a view to specific fields of action and target groups. They are able to combine theoretical and practical knowledge, develop options for action, plan measures tailored to specific target groups, and reflect critically on these measures. They deepen their career orientation.

Module content

Students choose another seminar from the range on offer on specific fields of action, thereby deepening their knowledge in a second area.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students acquire knowledge about complex current issues and learn to classify different positions. They are able to analyze new social challenges (e.g., shift to the right, climate change, digitalization) in relation to new requirements in social work.

Module content

This module presents and discusses current topics and issues in relation to social work. The special significance of social work for shaping society is reflected upon in light of new social challenges.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will be able to take a differentiated view of the structures within which they operate. They will recognize the effects of these structures on professional practice and identify opportunities to actively shape them.

Module content

The sixth module focuses on reflecting on practice in the workplace with an emphasis on the skill of “shaping structures.” In order to understand institutional frameworks and identify potential for change, students research their respective organizations and the routines and cultures of action there. In doing so, they draw on knowledge from the module “Research in Social Work” and use approaches from research-based learning.

Knowledge and skill objectives

Students learn how to analyse a specialist topic academically using systematic methods and to arrive at well-founded, self-developed statements. This includes the ability to research literature, to conceptualise and operationalise a research question and to present it systematically and linguistically. The ability to engage in constructive professional dialogue is tested in the colloquium.

Module Content

The exercise "Preparation of the BA thesis" repeats standards of academic work and helps students to find a topic. The Bachelor's thesis itself is an independent scientific examination of a topic that originates from theory, empiricism or the practice of social work and is supervised by two assessors.

Knowledge and skills objectives

Students will be able to take a differentiated view of the structures within which they operate. They will recognize the effects of these structures on professional practice and identify opportunities to actively shape them.

Module content

The sixth module focuses on reflecting on practice in the workplace with an emphasis on the skill of “shaping structures.” In order to understand institutional frameworks and identify potential for change, students research their respective organizations and the routines and cultures of action there. In doing so, they draw on knowledge from the module “Research in Social Work” and use approaches from research-based learning.