| Paper title | Animals and Social Work |
|---|---|
| Paper code | SOWK523 |
| Subject | Social Work |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2022 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $2,415.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- SOWK 522 completed in 2015, 2016 or 2017
- Limited to
- PGDipSW, MSW
- Notes
- May not be credited with SOWK522 completed in 2015, 2016 or 2017.
- Eligibility
Suitable for master's level students and professionals working in any human service setting who have an interest in how animals are perceived in the helping profession in general and social work in particular.
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Social and Community Work programme website
- Teaching staff
Course Coordinator and Lecturer: Dr Peter Walker
- Paper Structure
This paper will cover four modules:
- An Introduction to the relevance to and use of animals within the social work profession both in Aotearoa/New Zealand and overseas
- Violence towards animals as a precursor and indicator of violence towards humans
- The inclusion of domestic animals in social work assessments and their role within the ecological model
- Animal-assisted interventions and their efficacy in the helping professions
Each module will also cover:
- Discussion on animal ethics, animals within legislation and challenges the use of animals pose for the social work profession
- Teaching Arrangements
This course will be taught through a one-day compulsory workshop at the start of the course, six 2-hour lectures (held once a fortnight) and a two-hour compulsory workshop at the end of the course.
Online Zoom meetings will also be held during this course.
- Textbooks
Ryan, T. (2011) Animals and Social Work: A Moral Introduction. Palgrave MacMillan.
In addition, a course book and readings are provided via Blackboard.
- Course outline
The course outline is made available in the course book provided to students prior to the beginning of the semester.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Upon successfully completing the paper students will be able to
- Identify and clearly articulate historical and contemporary trends affecting animals and social work
- Understand and apply contemporary theoretical explanations for the use of animals within social work
- Critically appraise practice frameworks in relation to violence towards animals, the inclusion of animals in social work assessments and the use of animal-assisted interventions in the helping professions
- Reflect upon, critique and improve professional practice in relation to animals and their use within social work practice
