PV24TP011 Social Pathology and Prevention 1

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Winter 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jana Srovnalová (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Institute of Pedagogical and Psychological Sciences – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Contact Person: PhDr. Edita Ondřejová, Ph.D.
Timetable of Seminar Groups
PV24TP011/A: Wed 9:45–10:30 C309, J. Srovnalová
PV24TP011/B: Wed 10:35–11:20 C309, J. Srovnalová
Prerequisites (in Czech)
FAKULTA(FVP) && TYP_STUDIA(B) && FORMA(P)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 38 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 33/38, only registered: 0/38
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to develop students’ ability to understand and discuss key issues of social pathology in English, with a focus on professional vocabulary, listening, reading comprehension, and academic discussion. The course familiarises students with topics such as bullying, addictions, and social exclusion, while simultaneously strengthening their language skills in formal writing (e.g., professional CVs and official letters). Students will learn how to search for specialised sources, prepare presentations on selected topics, and actively participate in guided discussions, thereby enhancing their communication skills and critical thinking in the context of social prevention and intervention.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course Social Pathology and Prevention 1, the student will be able to actively use specialised vocabulary related to social pathology in English, both in spoken and written form. They will be able to write a formal letter in accordance with linguistic and formatting conventions, engage in professional discussions on topics such as bullying, addictions, street work, prevention, and leisure activities, and demonstrate understanding of authentic texts and audio materials focused on social prevention. The student will also be able to identify risk factors of socially pathological phenomena, propose appropriate prevention strategies, effectively search for and process specialised sources, and prepare their own presentation on a professional topic. They will know how to work in a team, solve practical cases, distinguish between formal and informal assistance in the context of social work, and defend their views in English when presenting to an audience.
Syllabus
  • 1. Professional Resume
  • 2. Formal Letter: Official Letter, Structure and Format, Language Tools
  • 3. Bullying: Vocabulary, Discussion, Listening, Working with Text
  • 4. Drugs: Vocabulary, Discussion, Listening, Working with Text
  • 5. Alcoholism: Vocabulary, Discussion, Listening, Working with Text
  • 6. Addictions: Professional and Non-professional Help, Vocabulary, Discussion, Listening, Working with Text
  • 7. Street Work: Vocabulary, Discussion, Listening, Working with Text
  • 8. Leisure Activities, Opportunities for Spending Free Time: Vocabulary, Discussion, Listening, Working with Text
  • 9. Practical Search for Academic Articles and Research Related to Selected Topics
  • 10. AI Tools Useful for Working with Foreign Language Texts
  • 11. Using Thesis Mentor for Working with English-Language Sources
  • 12. Preparing a Presentation on a Selected Topic
  • 13. Discussion on a Selected Topic
Literature
  • British Association of Social Workers (BASW). "The A-Z of Social Work" [online]. Birmingham: BASW, 2024 [cit. 29.8.2024]. Dostupné z: https://www.basw.co.uk/resources/dictionary-social-work.
  • Social Work Reference Center. "Glossary of Key Terms in Social Work and Social Welfare" [online]. 2024 [cit. 29.8.2024]. Dostupné z: https://www.socialworkreferencecenter.com/glossary.
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Encyclopedia of Social Work [online]. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013 [cit. 29.8.2024]. ISBN 978-0-19-997583-9. Dostupné z: https://oxfordre.com/socialwork.
  • Pierson, J., & Thomas, M. Dictionary of Social Work: The Definitive A to Z of Social Work and Social Care. 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0-335-24200-6.
  • Barker, R. L. Social Work Dictionary. 6th ed. Washington, DC: NASW Press, 2013. ISBN 978-0-87101-447-4.
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered using a task-based learning approach, where students work on specific assignments such as drafting an official letter or designing a prevention campaign. Blended learning will also be applied, combining in-person and online instruction – for example, students will independently search for professional articles or complete online quizzes focused on specialised vocabulary. Problem-based learning will play an important role, with students analysing real or model cases from practice and proposing solutions. Collaborative learning, i.e., group work, will be an integral part of the course, fostering the exchange of ideas and mutual learning. Within a flipped classroom format, students will study theoretical foundations independently before class using prepared materials, enabling them to focus on the active application of knowledge during seminars. To develop communication skills, role-play and simulations will be used, allowing students to practise situations such as a conversation between a social worker and a client. Students will regularly engage with authentic materials through critical reading and listening, for example by analysing academic articles or listening to interviews with professionals. The course will conclude with project-based learning, involving the creation of individual or group projects, which may result in a professional presentation or a proposed research plan.
Assessment methods
In the final class, students will take part in a creative project presentation titled “Social Impact Fair”, in which they will present a selected social pathology topic through a short presentation, a visual output, and, optionally, a simple interactive activity. The aim is to summarise the chosen issue, propose a meaningful preventive or supportive solution, and practise presentation skills in English. Students will work individually or in pairs and prepare a presentation supported by visual materials (e.g., a poster, leaflet, infographic, or campaign model). During the class, other students will have the opportunity to ask questions, and at the end, there will be a group vote for the most inspiring project. Regular attendance is also part of the assessment, with a minimum requirement of 80%.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
General note: Odborný anglický jazyk 1.
Teacher's information
Students have the possibility to consult via e-mail or upon agreement with the instructor in person.
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fvp/winter2025/PV24TP011