Basic HTML Version
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
111
what you are learning to a real-world situation. Junior Freshman
students are also provided with the opportunity to undertake a
six week placement related to the course (see below for further
details).
In the Senior Freshman (second) year, core subjects are
social work theory and practice, law for social workers, social
policy, psychology and social research. In addition, you can
either continue your language studies or choose one elective
course from sociology, politics, or economics. Senior Freshman
students can also avail of the opportunity to take a Broad
Curriculum module in this year (see page 14). The social work
courses involve field trips to relevant organisations and services.
In addition students undertake a ten week placement during this
academic year.
The Sophister years
Junior and Senior Sophister (third and fourth) year subjects
include:
n
Family and child care studies
n
Social policy
n
Sociology
n
Mental health
n
Equality issues
n
Groupwork
n
Human rights law
n
Social work theory and practice, including counselling skills
and practice workshops
Assessment
Assessment includes essays, case studies, projects,
examinations and placement reports.
Professional practice
In each of the four years you will have a
placement
in a
different social service agency under the supervision of an
experienced practitioner. These placements provide you with
practice experience and an opportunity to apply and develop
the skills and knowledge that you have acquired in College.
Placements are arranged in settings such as health service
community care teams, hospital social work departments,
child and family centres, probation service, and community
development projects. They account for approximately 50% of
your course time (215 days) over the four years and take place
at the end of each of the Freshman years and mostly in term
time in the Sophister years. Overseas placements are possible
(but not obligatory) within the course structure for those who are
interested in gaining relevant experience in another country (e.g.
Britain, North America, South Africa). You are supported in your
professional development by an individual social work tutor who
meets you regularly and visits you on placement from third year
onwards.
Career opportunities
As a social studies graduate of Trinity College Dublin, you are
eligible to apply to register as a professionally qualified social
worker with CORU (The Health and Social Care Professionals
Council). Your qualification will also be recognised in many other
countries. You also have a good social science degree which
allows you to move into policy, media, research or NGO project
work. As a social worker, you can continue your professional
development through postgraduate courses and can move into
management, research or training.
Did you know?
The B.S.S. degree is unique in
n
offering a direct route to social work qualification for
school-leavers in the Republic of Ireland,
n
offering each student four placements in practice-
related settings,
n
offering each student the individual support of both a
College tutor and a social work tutor.
Further information
www.socialwork-socialpolicy.tcd.ie
Tel: +3
