VS24VP005 Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Winter 2025
Extent and Intensity
13/13/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Andrea Preissová Krejčí, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Petr Slováček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Petr Slováček, Ph.D.
Institute of Public Administration and Social Policy – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Contact Person: Ing. Lucie Kamrádová, Ph.D.
Timetable
Wed 9:45–10:30 C306
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
VS24VP005/A: Wed 10:35–11:20 C306, A. Preissová Krejčí
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work connects two areas of ethical inquiry: ethics as a philosophical discipline and ethics as an applied discipline in social work practice. The structure of the course reflects this aim: a) In the theoretical part, students are introduced to the basic concepts of ethics, with particular emphasis on the issue of value judgments and the problem of their justification. On this basis, the significance of ethical dilemmas is assessed, which will vary depending on whether, and in what way, the question of the status and content of value judgments is addressed. b) The theoretical framework is followed by a part focused on professional ethics in social work and on ethical reflection and decision-making.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to define and explain the fundamental concepts of ethics, understand the historical development of ethical thought from ancient and medieval concepts to modern and contemporary approaches, and analyze the relationship between ethics and religious studies, with particular emphasis on the influence of Judaism and Christianity on European ethical traditions. They will be able to apply ethical principles to the context of social work, recognize the specific nature of ethical issues arising in the interaction between the client, the environment, and the social worker, and adopt the ethics of care approach. Students will also become familiar with ethical codes in social work, particularly the Code of Ethics for Social Workers in the Czech Republic, respect the value and dignity of the individual, and understand the principle of autonomy and the partnership dimension of relationships in social work.
Syllabus
Ethics – basic definition of ethics, origins of ethical thought, the relationship of ethics to philosophy and tradition; the nature of ethical norms; divisions of ethics. Basic concepts of ethics and their interrelations – moral pre-understanding and its categories (good/evil), moral evaluation, conscience, voluntariness, responsibility, justice, human dignity, autonomy, values, virtues, dilemmas, etc. Ethics and religious studies – Judaism and Christianity as indispensable sources of European ethical thought. Fundamental ethical concepts I – ancient and medieval concepts: virtue ethics, hedonism, natural law. Fundamental ethical concepts II – early modern and modern concepts: social contract, utilitarianism, ethics of justice, ethics of duty. Fundamental ethical concepts III – intuitionism, emotivism, decisionism. Ethics in social work – the specifics of ethics in social work within the framework defined by the client, the environment, and the social worker; ethics of care. Ethical codes in social work – the Code of Ethics for Social Workers in the Czech Republic. The individual, autonomy, and dignity – the dimension of partnership in social work. Ethical values and principles in social work. Ethical questions, ethical problems, and ethical dilemmas in social work. Models of ethical decision-making applicable in social work.
Literature
    required literature
  • BOHATÁ, Marie, BUREŠ, Roman, PUTNOVÁ, Anna, RAŠTICOVÁ, Marcela, SEKNIČKA, Pavel a SZURMANOVÁ, Markéta. Etika a integrita veřejné správy. Praha: Grada, 2022. 176 s. ISBN 978-80-271-3445-7.
  • JANKOVSKÝ, Jiří. Etika pro pomáhající profese. 2., aktualizované a doplněné vydání. Praha: Triton, 2018. 302 s. ISBN 978-80-7553-414-9.
    recommended literature
  • RIDDLEY, M., Červená královna. Sexualita a vývoj lidské přirozenosti. Argo/Dokořán 2017.
  • MATULAYOVÁ, T. a AADLAND, E. (Eds.). Etické reflexie v pomáhajúcich profesiách. Prešov: Prešovská univerzita v Prešově, 2011
  • FISCHER, O., MILFAIT, R. Etika pro sociální práci. Praha: JABOK, 2008. ISBN 978-80-904137-3-3. info
  • JANKOVSKÝ, J. Etika pro pomáhající profese. Praha: Triton, 2003. ISBN 80-7254-329-6. info
    not specified
  • RICH, A. Etika hospodářství I. Praha: OIKOYMENH. ISBN 80-85241-61-7. info
  • Bohatá, M., Bureš, R., Putnová, A., Rašticová, M., Seknička, P., & Szurmanová, M. (2022). Etika a integrita veřejné správy (176 s.). Grada
  • SOKOL, J. Etika a život. Praha: EKON, 2010. ISBN 978-80-7429-063-3. info
  • CHAPMAN, A. R.,. Etika ve veřejné službě pro nové tisíciletí. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství, 2003. ISBN 80-86429-14-8. info
Teaching methods
Lecture, group teaching, assessment, discussion.
Assessment methods
Exam - in the form of an oral interview verifying knowledge.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fvp/winter2025/VS24VP005