Course: Social Work and Social Exclusion

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Course title Social Work and Social Exclusion
Course code KCHP/SPVY
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 10
Language of instruction Czech, English
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Elich Markéta, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Donéeová Hana, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Social exclusion and social work Theoretical concepts of social exclusion, the role of social work in preventing and addressing exclusion, systemic vs. individual causes. 2. Boundaries in social work with socially excluded groups, the psychology of social exclusion Ethical dilemmas, power dynamics, psychosocial impacts of exclusion (stigma, resignation, loss of trust). 3. Gender inequalities and intersectional exclusion The link between gender and poverty (e.g., "feminization of poverty"), exclusion of LGBTQ+ people, gender-sensitive interventions. 4. Housing policy and spatial segregation Homelessness, ghettoization, unaffordable housing in cities vs. rural areas, field social work, and emergency housing assistance. 5. Ethnic minorities, migration, and cultural barriers Exclusion of Roma, migrants, and refugees; cultural competence, anti-discrimination, and overcoming institutional racism. 6. Poverty and debt traps Long-term unemployment, predatory lending, social work in the context of material deprivation and service availability. 7. The education system and the risk of exclusion among children and young people Segregation in schools, early school leaving, the role of social workers in low-threshold programs and mentoring.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book), Monitoring, Excursion, Work with multi-media resources (texts, internet, IT technologies)
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to equip students with the skills for critical reflection and intervention in the processes of social exclusion in the context of social work. The course focuses on linking theoretical understanding of systemic mechanisms of inequality with practical social work tools for supporting excluded groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, homeless people, substance users). The introductory part of the theoretical teaching will present selected sociological concepts (marginalization, exclusion, intersectional discrimination) as an analytical basis for practice. However, the main focus will be on: - Applied aspects of social work - strategies for preventing social exclusion, methods of working with clients in crisis, ethical dilemmas of intervention. - Socio-political contexts - the impact of poverty, housing shortages, or institutional discrimination on clients' life trajectories. The seminar part will be structured thematically with an emphasis on practical skills: 1. Introductory seminar: Social exclusion as a challenge for social work - definitions, systemic causes, and the role of social workers in preventing exclusion. 2. Professional practice: Setting boundaries when working with marginalized clients (ethics, burnout prevention) and the psychological impacts of exclusion on individuals (stigmatization, loss of agency). 3. Case study workshops: o Homeless people - field work, housing policy, and deconstruction of stereotypes. o Gender exclusion - barriers to accessing resources (e.g., single mothers, victims of domestic violence). o Ethnic marginalization - multiculturalism.
Students will gain the ability to: 1. Systematically identify manifestations of exclusion in specific situations in clients' lives. 2. Propose social empowerment strategies at the intersection of individual and community work. 3. Critically evaluate the role of social policies and institutions in the reproduction of inequalities. Theoretical concepts serve as a supporting framework, not as independent teaching content. The course prefers interactive forms of education (workshops, peer learning) to directly connect academic perspectives with practice.
Prerequisites
The student ought to have completed courses of theories and methods of social work.
KCHP/KSPSR
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KCHP/SPSR

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance assessment, Analysis of student's work activities (technical works), Colloquium, Seminar work, Interim evaluation

1) Studying theoretical concepts + completing short tests in Moodle 2) Submitting a study journal (max. 1.5 standard pages) or mind map (recommended) linking theoretical knowledge with the analysis of two observed cases (short-term observation, e.g., as part of mandatory field visits) 3) 10-minute project presentation (December 5) in the form of a podcast (short video created using CapCut, Spotify Creators, IG Reels, TikTok, etc.) followed by a discussion. 4) 100% attendance in the course; substitute work will be assigned individually based on absences. 5) Active participation in discussions.
Recommended literature
  • KAJANOVÁ, A. Proč selhává sociální práce se sociálně exkludovanými. 2017.
  • MILLS, C.W. Sociologická imaginace. 2008.
  • PIERSON, J. H. Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion: Promoting Social Justice in Social Work. 2016.
  • PROKOP, D. Slepé skvrny: o chudobě, vzdělávání a dalších výzvách české společnosti. 2020.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester