Course Topics
1) DIRECT INTERNSHIP to be completed in a field of social work chosen by the student Students are responsible for selecting and finding the internship position and must be made taking into account the practical experience already gained and open fields of learning. Internships can be completed in South Tyrol, Italy and abroad. For internships abroad, it is possible to take part in the Erasmus Traineeship programme. For further information, students are requested to contact the CareerService. At least one of the internships in the 2nd or 3rd year of study must be completed under the supervision of a social worker registered in the Italian professional register. Internships in the social services of the South Tyrolean district communities should not be completed in the district in whose catchment area the students live (only in justified exceptional cases will such an internship be authorised). The decisive criterion for the approval of internship applications is the conformity with the educational objectives of the degree programme. 2) INDIRECT INTERNSHIP as support for practical experience The indirect internship includes preparation for the internship, supervision during the internship and reflection at the end of the internship (laboratory "Practical reflection"). The dates for the "Practical reflection" laboratory are published in the university lecture calendar. Topics covered in the laboratory: - Critical events as internship experiences; - Critical reflection model according to Fook and Gardner; - Guided reflection using various instruments and reflection techniques; - Critical examination of important socio-political and social issues in social work; - Structural inequality and social work; - Error culture in organisations and in professional social work; - Guided examination of topics from internship experiences. The topics are mainly suggested by the students and are discussed and reflected upon together in a protected setting; - Theory-based and critical reflection on one's own practical experience using the reflection methods and tools provided;

Teaching format
The direct internship takes place in person at the selected social institution/organisation under the guidance, support and supervision of an experienced social worker. The ‘Practical Reflection’ laboratory also takes place in person at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, located in Brixen. The laboratory is interactive and based on contributions and questions from students, which are addressed using the following methods and techniques: - Group supervision - Critical Reflection using various reflection models (e.g.Fook and Gardner’s reflection model, Collegial Counselling, Reflecting Team...) - Case analyses and discussions; - Role-playing: ; - Exercises, individual and group work;

Educational objectives
The internship in the third year of study must be designed, carried out and evaluated by the students in cooperation with the specialists responsible for practical instruction and supervision as an appropriate project within the framework of the course. The aim of this internship is to deepen previous experience, address areas of learning that remain open and explore specialised fields of practice. Specific educational objectives of the internship in the third year of study are: - In-depth examination of social work practice in a selected field of activity and organisational context, against the backdrop of a critical analysis of the applicable legal provisions and socio-political framework conditions. Expected learning outcomes: Development of students' ability to critically analyse and reflect on professional practice as part of a broader socio-political and organisational context; - the development of professional skills and professional judgement for interpreting and assessing needs, planning assistance and evaluation, taking into account life situations, everyday contexts and social environments, and the mandate(s) of social work in the selected field of action. Expected learning outcomes: Ability of students to recognise the various mandates of professional social work and development of professional skills for assessing social emergencies in the social environment; - the development of professional skills in the areas of interviewing, documentation and networking; Expected learning outcomes: Expansion of professional skills in the area of interviewing and other social work tools; - Theory-based and ethical reflection on practical experience; Expected learning outcomes: Ability to justify professional assessments, approaches and decisions in a theory-based and ethically sound manner; - the reflexive connection between knowledge acquired in studies and practice and the sharpening of a research-oriented view of professional practice as the subject, location and process of participatory knowledge production; Expected learning outcomes: Recognition of the different types of knowledge (practice-theory-practice) and development of possible research questions from social work practice; - Where applicable, combining practical experience with your own research project in the context of your degree thesis. Expected learning outcomes: Developing a possible concept for a research project in the context of your degree thesis.

Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
- Critical examination of the socio-political and social conditions of professional social work: in addition to individual needs, students also examine structural challenges in social work that can lead to inequality of opportunity, restrictions in access to resources and services, as well as discrimination and exclusion. - Development of professional skills and judgement: students engage in-depth with the professional assessment process and the various mandates of social work, both in relation to individual life situations and to families, marginalised social groups and social phenomena; - Development of professional skills in the areas of conversation, documentation and networking: during this internship, students should engage intensively with the professional tools of social work. The aim is for students to conduct at least one conversation independently (under the guidance and supervision of the practice tutor), actively participate in the creation of professional documentation (minutes, social reports, etc.) and take part in networking meetings. -Theory-based and ethical reflection on practical experience: students develop the ability to justify professional actions on the basis of theory; ethical dilemmas in practice are identified and analysed and reflected upon with the help of the code of ethics. - Sharpening a research-oriented view of professional practice: students develop research questions and approaches based on their practical experience;

Assessment
The internship examination consists of a written and an oral part: - Written part: Writing an internship report (see guidelines for writing the internship report) and a written reflection on a critical incident according to Fook and Gardner. Deadline for submitting written work: two weeks before the internship exam by uploading it to the CareerHub portal and sending it by email to the respective academic tutor. - Oral part: Exam interview with members of the internship committee; During the oral exam, experiences gained during the internship are critically reflected upon and the contents of the internship report are discussed and analysed.

Evaluation criteria
The internship will be assessed with a single mark, taking into account the following points: 1. the written report on the placement including the reflection on a critical incident according to Fook and Gardner (assessed by the academic tutors in terms of accuracy of content and form, clarity of expression and use of specialised terminology, presence of appropriate references, reasoning skills, critical analysis, ability to self-reflect); 2. Internship experience in a social service (evaluation by the practical tutor, taking into account the skills acquired and the achievement of the goals set at the beginning of the internship); 3. the oral examination on critical reflection, including active participation in the proposed activities The final grade is made up of 70% of points 1 and 2 and 30% of point 3.

Required readings

Bertotti, T., Fazzi, L., Rosignoli, A. (2021), Il servizio sociale: le competenze chiave, Carocci, Roma.

 

Sicora, A. (2021), Emozioni nel servizio sociale. Strumenti per riflettere e agire, Carocci, Roma.

 

Ethikkodex der Sozialarbeit in Italien (Deontological Code of Social Work)

 

Gesetzliche Grundlagen und Bestimmungen im ausgewählten Handlungsfeld

Supplementary readings

Will be announced during the lab.

Further information
Consultation hours with the academic tutors can be arranged individually (in person or online via Teams). In any case, an enquiry via e-mail is required.