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The Department of Social Work and Social Management
General Description
The Fachhochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Sciences), Department of Social Work and Social Management, offers an 8-term (semesters) pilot study course "Social Work (Social Work & Social Pedagogics)" followed by a one-year term of commendational work (vocational candidacy). Likewise, the Department conducts an 8-semester basic course of studies in Social Management", this being the first and so far only one of its kind in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Both study courses contain an integral practice term, thus ensuring that during their studies, students already have close contact with professional reality. The pilot course is characterised by the specific way in which he integrates theoretical and practice-related aspects, while at the same time offering a purpose-built course structure which in the first instance tdeals with basic problems of social work. They then move on to dealing with practice-related questions in interdisciplinary seminars, and to establishing a solid basic knowledge. This, in turn, facilitates access to the most diverse tasks and demands of social work by treating a broad range of methodological and didactic qualifications. On successfully completing the overall course of studies, the candidates will receive the degree of "Diplom-Sozialarbeiter/in / Diplom-Sozialpädagoge/in" (graduate social worker / graduate social pedagogue), respectively "Diplom-Sozialwirt / Diplom-Sozialwirtin" (graduate social manager).
In the Department, twenty-five professors represent the basic disciplines of social sciences and humanities, with all teachers emphasizing their individual scientific and academic interests in socio-political and psycho-social fields. These aspects of the curricula are complemented by those of approximately 30 associate lecturers who provide students with up-to-date professional knowledge on developments in the most diverse areas of social work and social management.
Following their particular interests, students can achieve additional qualifications by, for example: Learning languages, tackling basic questions of social management, learning to handle multimedia programs, creatively applying media resources for pedagogic use, such as taking part in drama projects.
Students can also participate in research and development projects conducted by professors of the Department, for instance under headings such as "Old Age Competence", "Victimology", "Social Management", "Relaxation Therapies in Social Work", "Diagnosis and Intervention in Supervision Processes", "Integration of Handicapped and non-Handicapped People", Network Management in a Period of Technological Reorientation". In addition, there are opportunities to take part in other projects carried out in cooperation with universities outside of Germany, e.g., the "TEMPUS Project SWEEL (Social Work Education on a European Level)", "Women in Social Work - Comparing the Work of German, British, and Italian Social Workers", "Supervision Training in the North of Spain", "Video Home Training", "European Universities` Online Network". Many of these research projects have been funded by third-party sponsorship, while the numerous publications arising from these projects have carried the reputation of the Department beyond the borders of this region.
The Department has established a solid and extensive network of contacts with partner colleges and universities, where our students can complete study courses abroad, and take part in annually organized symposia on social work problems (European Social Work Symposia). Our Faculty cooperates with the following universities:
Finland
Tuusula Institute of Social Services
Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnics
United Kingdom
Bournemouth University Institute of Health & Community Studies,
Italy
Università degli Studi di Perugia
Spain
Universidad Publica de Navarra, Pamplona
Hungary
Szécheny István College, Györ
USA
Boston University School of Social Work
University of Connecticut School of Social Work, Hartford,
University of North Carolina, Department of Criminal Justice, Charlotte,
Mexico
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexiko Ciudad, Escuela de Trabajo Social
Netherlands
Hogeschule Nijmegen, Fachbereich Sozialpädagogik
For home-study purposes students have a number of facilities at their disposal:
* an audio-visual centre with audio- and video-cassette library
* audio-visual language laboratories
* a specialist literature library
* state-of-the-art internet and DTP work places
* internet access for all students
* an experimental play school
* a creative-design workshop
* a photographic laboratory
* a pottery workshop with kiln
* a one-way disk for conversational training
* musical instruments
In making use of these facilities the students are guided and supported by subject specialist and academic staff.
The Department also publishes a special edition of individual works dealing with current topics in the field of social work. Most of these are contributed by professors of the Department, thus providing access to scientific discussion in a varirty of fields.A special index file kept in the Departmental Office offers more than 600 practice placements for selection by those students who have to undertake an integrated practical work term. While still completing their study courses, students have the possibility of taking part in field trips to study social work facilities, and of attending intensive seminars at home and abroad, thus affording them insight into the continually changing structures and concepts of social work.
Studying Facilities in the Dept. of Social Work & Social Management at the Fachhochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Sciences)
For many years it seemed that the economic and employment structure of Mönchengladbach could be characterized by the production of textiles and textile machinery. However, this field of production, which began in the1970's, fell victim to competitive shifts on the world markets and subsequently lost much of its importance. Present economic activities have almost exclusively shifted to trading, with the service sector experiencing an enormous upswing; unemployment, however, for the last twenty years has ranged above the Federal average.
Supported by large textile mills, as well as the Churches and in this context particularly so by the "Volksverein für das katholische Deutschland" (a popular nationwide middle-class movement, founded in Mönchengladbach in 1890 to support the underprivileged), during the early part of the century there had existed an enlightened attitude with regard to social problems in the town. During the 1960s social institutions supported by the local authorities, by welfare organizations, and the Churches - such as general social and psycho-social services, shelter and homeless aid, job creation centres, and other services were considerably expanded and also reshaped. Decreasing economical potential on the one hand and rising unemployment on the other, however, have resulted in restricting the financial scope of public households to a growing extent, so that economy measures in the social sector are at present more clearly noticeable.
As a result of the established tradition of textile making, the town of Mönchengladbach already possessed a Technical College containing industry-relevant study courses as well as colleges teaching business & social administration and also management studies. In the course of establishing Universities of Applied Sciences all over the Federal Republic of Germany, these colleges were merged to become the Fachhochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Sciences), founded in 1971.
The Department of Social Work and Social Management belonged among the founder departments of the University of Applied Sciences. From the winter term 1988/89 onwards the Department has offered students of social work and social pedagogics a eight-term pilot course of studies which concluding with the academic diploma / grade of Dipl.-Sozialpädagoge/-gin (FH) (grad. social pedagogue), resp. Dipl.-Sozialarbeiter/-in (FH) (grad. social worker). From the winter term of 1997/8 onwards the Department initiated, for the first time at a German University of Applied Science, an 8-term course of Social Management Studies, leading up to the academic degree of Dipl.-Sozialwirt (FH) (graduate Social Manager). These model degree courses aim to:
* strengthen links between theoretical education and on-the-job training,
* further integrate individual study subjects, and
* integrate exemplary teaching and learning with regard to problem areas in social work and social management.
Basic tenets of the new model of studies
1. Creation of the experimental pilot model will have to take into account the conceptions social workers, social pedagogues and social managers have of their respective line of profession, conceptions which any course of studies will have to comply with:
2. In Germany, occupational concepts of social workers and social pedagogues tend to converge to an increasing degree. For this reason treatment of the contents of the two degree courses for social work and social pedagogics has become almost identical
3. According to their educational brief, all university Departments of Social Work and Social Management are bound to train generalists, rather than specialists,. Therefore, the structure, form and content of the courses is bound to orient itself to basic demands, as determined by the occupational outlines of the respective professions.
4. Social workers / pedagogues must be in a position to assess complex social conflict situations from a number of changing perspectives. To that extent, the knowledge and handling of scientific modes of thought, together with the methods of interpretation offered by the various disciplines such as sociology, law, psychology, educational science, etc., remain necessary.
5. As far as the planning of services and organisation of the necessary case management with regard to the socially disadvantaged is concerned, it is necessary to accept an integrative perspective which, even though it is based on scientific facts, must be able to arrive at an overall evaluation of the situation. Study courses must be based on enabling students to handle differential approaches in theory as well as dealing with them in specific problem areas of real life, as the mutual demands of theory and practice are part of their respective professional social responsibilities.
6. The care provided to people of all ages and environments in social conflict situations needs to be exercised with the utmost competence regarding accompanying, educating, advising, or therapeutically treating those in difficulties. Beyond that, special operational strategies are required to promote the needs of diverse groups of clients with regard to their specific problem situations. As for the acquisition of the methodical and operational knowledge an independent training sector is envisaged.
7. As a rule, social work takes place within the ambit and on behalf of public welfare institutions. It is indispensible therefore, in order to gain an insight into the structure, the ways of functioning and operating, and last but not least the dynamics of these social institutions as well as the place they hold within the general social network. In recent years an increasing amount of planning, coordinating, and social management have been demanded of social workers and pedagogues, and still more so from social managers. These demands are taken account of in the contents of study courses.
8. The contents of study courses in social affairs are themselves guided by academic disciplines which are represented by professions not belonging among the traditional disciplines of social work and social pedagogics, such as psychologists, the medical and legal professions, etc. Study of these other occupations can aid the formation of a professional identity, as successful social work can only be rendered on the basis of a proper understanding of one`s own professional rôle.
9. In social work in particular, theoretical positions have to be weighed against occupational reality, with professional practice in its concrete processes constantly needing scrutiny by theoretical reflection. From this derives a particular tension which in this case determines the relation between theory and practical work. The professional reality of social work areas therefore is integrated into the study courses as early as possible, with experienced practitioners actively assisting in the training sessions. A more sustained, continuous practical phase in the shape of a practical work term is integrated into the study courses at a later stage in order to guarantee a close relationship with occupational reality.
10. Social workers are regarded as experts assisting in psycho-social conflicts or emergencies within nearly all areas of social life, in particular where more specialized occupations are overstretched and caught up in the tenets of their own disciplines. Consequently, far-reaching general knowledge greatly assists the subject-specific competence of social workers/social pedagogues. The above-mentioned pilot study course therefore envisages a comprehensive area of optional and extra-curricular lectures and seminars, with special emphasis on personal growth seminars and interest groups depending on individual choice, the intention being that the characteristic personal aptitudes of the respective social worker / pedagogue / manager may play a part in the relation with the client.
11. As a result of increasing international cooperation, the development of social work on a European scale is particularly emphasized in the individual parts of the curriculum. With regard to developing truly European curricula, a regular exchange of lecturers as well as students is oprerated in partnership with the Universities of Pamplona (Spain), Bournemouth (United Kingdom), Tuusula (Finland), Györ (Hungary), Perugia (Italy), and Nijmegen (Netherlands).
12. This cooperation finds its significant expression in common Symposia of European Social Work which are conducted in turn by one of the partnership universities. Further collaborations exist with Schools of Social Work at North American (and also one Mexican) universities.Study visits and practice terms abroad are expressly recommended to students, in order for them to meet with the more diverse demands of an increasingly international clientèle, while at the same time the universities involved in this scheme wish to comply with the advance of social networking in the European Union.
Structure of the Pilot Curriculum in Social Work (Social Work & Social Pedagogics)
The curriculum structure envisages a tripartition followed, after final examinations for the diploma, by a fourth part called "Anerkennungsjahr", or "Referendariat" ( = ´commendational year`, or year of candidacy) which is obligatory for German students who wish to practise as social workers or pedagogues in areas which have hitherto been reserved for state-graduated candidates.The basic course of studies concentrates on laying the foundations for a professional identity by teaching the scientific subjects, mostly in the form of seminars, whereas the middle tier of the course of studies is taken up by combined theory-practice activities and a term of practical work in which both aspects are interlinked. During the final terms of the overall course students are acquire methodical proficiency, and consolidate the necessary social, institutional, and client-specific knowledge of problem constellations in their various fields of work. This tripartition assists course planning and provides security in terms of students being able to effectively conduct their studies.
The pilot course is characterized by an obligatory term of practical (full-time) work, integrated within the overall course of studies, resulting in extending its length from hitherto 6 terms (3 years) to 8 (4 years). Moreover, the number of individual subjects to be taken is restricted in favour of new priority ´subjects` which help to integrate more successfully theory and practice in the context of the study course. A two-term project course has been made obligatory for students and a new subject called "methodical action strategies"has been introduced.
In a diagram displaying a survey of the structure of the course of studies, the individual elements appear in the following break-down:
4 basic subjects,
7 general subjects, transcending special subject areas,
6 consolidation courses,
2 methodical action classes,
2 priority subjects,
1 two-term project,
1 integrated practical work term,
3 free choice seminars.
Concept of the Pilot Study Course Social Work (Social Work and Social Pedagogics) in the Department of Social Science at Fachhochschule
Niederrhein (University of Applied Sciences)
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The column scientific subjects" integrates central findings of scientific research in disciplines related to social work, giving students structural insights into indiviual oriented foundations of social work, influencing social factors, educational aims and ethical standards of social work, as well as relevant legal prescriptions.
The column subject-transcending offers" contains specific subjects preparing social workers and pedagogues for their professional tasks. These subjects deal with methods of data acquision relevant for social work and social pedagogics, with institutions in the field of social work, social legislation, and with possibilities of using data transfer in social work areas. Seminars on interaction and self-knowledge techniques sensitize students as to the importance of involving one`s own person into social work practice. These subject-trancending seminars are condensed into lecture courses dealing with the theoretical aspects of social work. All these subjects are concluded with a total of six unspecified credits.
The column integration of theory & practice" represents the actual centre-piece of the reformed version of our study courses. The subjects mentioned in this context concentrate on the relation of theory and practice and their mutual integration. These integrative courses achieve a first introduction to the areas of work and the tasks of social institutions.
The two-term project course" is jointly organized by a full-time and an associated lecturer. In the part of the student, it necessitates independent management of practical tasks, in the carrying out of which, however, the students are accompanied and tutored by the tenured and associated lecturers. While the practicians introduce students to their respective special fields of work (e.g., drug advice centres, psychiatric clinics, youth centres, adult education, prisons, pedagogic outpatient centres, etc.), seminar work serves to integrate the insights and experiences gained into the general theoretical framework. The appertaining examination consists of a written homework (thesis) followed by a colloquy.
In the priority courses" three professors of different fields of study work out a common topic based on the workaday routine of social work which orients itself on specific target groups (e.g., young people in extra-curricular education, old people), on life situations (e.g., single parents, the homeless), or on problem constellations (e.g., drug addiction, increased life risk, mental illness). Each student is bound to attend two of these priority subjects and to conclude them by taking part in an integrative oral examination conducted by the three lecturers mentioned above.
During the term of practical work" the student will work for at least 20 weeks (with a weekly working time of at least 30 hours) in a practical work position approved of by the University Department. The student enters a work contract approved by the University with the institution providing the respective position. Said instituion appoints a practice adviser (graduated social worker, or social pedagogue) and submits a training schedule to the Department.
The majority of students will receive a honorarium for the duration of the period. The University in its turn appoints a tutor from amongst the tenured lecturers of the Department who will have to visit the student at his/her practice work place. During the practice term, on one day a week, accompanying tutorial lessons will take place (6 teaching hours alltogether).One of these lessons, conducted by the tutor, serves the revision of experience gathered during practical work (supervision), while two more tutorials concentrate on techniques of professional conduct and the investigation of the structure of working areas. After terminating the integrated term of practice it is evaluated in an additional seminar at the University. As his/her contribution the student has to submit a written practice report.
The column "methodical action strategies and areas of consolidation" is composed of lectures and seminars which can be attended only after completing the practice term. Among the areas tackled by broadly based methodical training courses are: work with individuals - accom- panying, tuition, counselling, work with families, with groups, the use of media in social work and social management - community work, planning, and management. This part of the training is concluded by an integrated examination with credit marking.
In the three priority subjects" the individual, institutional, and social structures which form the basis all social work are analyzed with regard to the working areas chosen individually. In at least two of these priority areas achievements have to be shown which will be credited and marked.
Prerequisite for a successful graduation is the completion of a thesis and, in addition, passing an oral examination / a colloquy. On completing the course of studies, the degree of Diplom-Sozialarbeiter/Diplom-Sozialpädagoge (FH) resp. Diplom-Sozialarbeiterin/Diplom-Sozialpädagogin (FH) (=graduated social worker/graduated social pedagogue) is awarded to the successful candidate.
Successful graduation is followed by a one-year period of recognition" (not part of the ECTS procedure) which is accompanied by the University. The graduate takes up full-time professional work in contractually safeguarded employment and in practical work approved of by the respective district authorities. He/She is not a student any longer. The organisation the former student works for appoints an adviser. Once a week the trainee visits the University, being given time off from work for this purpose. He/She takes part in two two-hour seminars, one of which concentrates on tuitional topics, while the other is concerned with themes and methods dominating the relevant fields of work. The recognition year is concluded by a written and oral state examination under the auspices of the university. Following a successful examination, the District President confers on the trainee state acknowledgement, i.e. the degree of social worker, resp. social pedagogue.
This pilot course concept has proved a great success. The offer is very popular with both job providers and students.
The university guarantees good working conditions in seminars with a manageable number of participants. This results in special committment of the students and a high degree of readiness to share in the organization of courses and seminars as well as other activities in the Department; it also encourages competent participation in self-government and leads to considered identification with the educational targets of the Department of Social Work and Social Management at Fachhochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Sciences).
In the context of accompanying research the Department of Social Work scutinized the acceptance and effectivity of this concept of studies. The results were published in 1996 in Marianne Braun (ed.), The Pilot Course of Studies at the Department of Social Work in Mönchengladbach, 1996 (available at the Fachhochschule Niederrhein, University of Applied Sciences, Department of Social Work).
Structure of the Course of Studies in Social Management
Social economy" and social management" are key terms which show that social work is facing new demands: social services, too, have to meet quality standards; cost-benefit analysis and service contracts demanding output oriented acting have become part of social work reality. Non profit organizations in particular need well-trained staff capable of both offering effective professional services and, at the same time, of responsibly taking part in shaping the organizational, financial, legal and public oriented outline conditions of the respective institution. Social management therefore includes very different tasks such as social marketing, team management, the handling of budgeting, costing or output analysis of social services.
Social Management Studies therefore intend to prepare students for new professional activities which have to combine practises of business and national economics with the traditional tasks of social work. Accordingly, this course of studies encompasses offers from the social as well as economic fields of study, with about 50 % of the entire course contents deriving from the fields of social work / social pedagogics, while the other half derives from the areas of economics, personnel management, and business management.
The 8-term course of studies, including an obligatory term of practical work (fifth term), is subdivided into a basic and a main course of studies. During the basic course the foundations of social work are imparted to the students in lessons dealing with the institutions of social work, with the Federal Welfare Benefits Law, legal aspects which rule social professions, the empirical categories of social research, with theories relating to social work, as well as organizational laboratories, resp. self- and hetero-experience.
At the same time the economic foundations of social work are submitted to closer inspection in seminar offered in the fields of social/national economy, electronic data transmission, general business management, administrative and organisational studies, i.e., in the entire basics of social management.
The pilot study course which has been developed successfully for the area social work (social work and social pedagogics) at Fachhochschule Niederrhein in the form of integrative teaching units, containing priority and project studies dealing with diverse aspects of social problems and the high-standard clarification of theory-practice relationships, are meant to promote subject-transcending reasoning and to train the ability of students to flexibly deal with complex problem structures in the field of social management.
The basic course of studies is concluded by a term of practical work, with students familiarizing themselves mainly with organizational, administrative and financial aspects as well as the structure of the social institutions they work for, over and above traditional tasks of a pedagogical, consultative, and social nature.
The main course of studies is primarily composed of teaching offers dealing with management tasks in the fields "staff and organizational management", with human resources management, ascertaining staff requirements, "accountancy and controlling", costing, tax lore and commercial law; special consolidation teaching is offered in labour law and also social and contract law, while beyond that introductions are provided into the fields of "organisational consulting and development", into methods and tasks of presentation, public relations, network communication, and social marketing. Basic informations about the structures and tasks of welfare organizations in the areas of social and health-related services emphasize the importance of the historical, legal, and ideological outline conditions responsible for conducting Social Work.
The optional subjects give the students an opportunity of further and more intensively educating themselves, especially in the subjects of remedial teaching, criminology, social medicine, or politology.
After a normal duration of eight terms, the course of studies is concluded by submitting a graduation thesis and subsequently undergoing a colloquium. As the year`s practical work for professional recognition does not apply in this case, professional work as a "Diplom-Sozialwirt" ( = grad. social economist) can be commenced immediately after graduation.
Concept of the Study Course Social Management" in the Department of Social Science at Fachhochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Sciences)