Class Theory and Methodology of Social Work I

Social Work Theory and Methodology I is a foundational curricular unit within Social Work education, providing students with the conceptual, theoretical-methodological, ethical and epistemological frameworks essential for understanding the profession and social intervention. The unit explores Social Work as both a scientific discipline and a practice-oriented profession, addressing its object, purposes and foundations, as well as its relationship with social transformations and contemporary social issues. It also introduces the main theoretical frameworks, intervention models and methods, promoting an integrated understanding of the Social Work methodological process and the development of initial skills in critical analysis and the justification of professional practice.

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I - Social Work: identity, foundations and professional specificity Social Work as a scientific discipline and an intervention profession. Object, purposes, areas of intervention, and its dimensions. Values, ethical principles, human rights and social justice. II - Social Work, society and social problems The relationship between Social Work and society. Social construction of social problems, social question, inequalities and vulnerabilities. Social change, social policies and social intervention. III - Theoretical and methodological foundations of intervention Theoretical perspectives, intervention models and techniques. The methodological process and research as a support for professional practice. IV - Contemporary challenges for Social Work Globalisation, social risk and new configurations of social problems. Demographic, technological and environmental transformations. Digitalisation, innovation and new contexts of professional intervention.

The curricular unit adopts a student-centred pedagogical approach, favouring active and participatory methodologies that promote students' engagement in knowledge construction. Teaching sessions combine conceptual frameworks with strategies such as case analysis and discussion, problem-based learning, guided research, collaborative work, thematic presentations, debates and critical reflection. Students undertake activities involving the research, selection and analysis of scientific information on theoretical frameworks, intervention models and techniques in Social Work, promoting participation, the exchange of perspectives and collective knowledge construction. The curricular unit also includes individual and collective reflection on learning outcomes and their relationship with contemporary professional challenges.

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