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    Overview

    About this paper

    Paper title Animals and Social Work
    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

    socialwork@otago.ac.nz

    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

    Timetable

    Not offered in 2022

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
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