SOWK0100 Introduction to Social Work

Course Code

SOWK0100

Course Title

Introduction to Social Work (社會工作導論)

Class Date

14, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 July 2026

(22 July 2026 is reserved for class make-up in case there is any cancellation of classes due to bad weather or other unexpected factors.)

(23 July 2026 is reserved for class assessment, if any.)

Class Time

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Teacher

Dr. Renee CHIU

Lecturer

Department of Social Work

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Medium of Instruction

English

Course Description

This course invites students on a transformative journey into the concept, meaning, and professional practice of social work. Designed for students considering careers in the human services, the course provides a foundational look at how professional social work practice transforms lives. Students will move beyond the concept of “helping” to explore the scientific theories, ethical frameworks, and clinical skills that define professional social work.

Course
Content

The course is structured as a dynamic exploration of the professional landscape of social work, moving from theoretical foundations to practical application. Students will begin by examining the mission and goals of the profession, distinguishing social work from general philanthropy, and tracing the historical development of social welfare in Hong Kong from its charitable roots to its current systemic framework. A significant portion of the curriculum is dedicated to the ethical “backbone” of the field, where students grapple with professional values and the Code of Ethics. To ground these concepts, the course utilizes experiential activities and simulated role-plays to build reflective listening skills and biopsychosocial mapping to analyze the multifaceted needs of Hong Kong’s vulnerable populations. Finally, students are taught to look beyond individual symptoms by employing systems thinking, using mapping activities to visualize how personal struggles are interconnected with broader social, familial, and environments.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1)     Describe the mission, scope, goals, and functions of social work;

2)     Understand the development and roles of social welfare services in Hong Kong;

3)     Define the professional values and ethics of social work practice;

4)     Demonstrate basic reflective listening and empathetic skills through stimulation exercises;

5)     Identify the specific biopsychosocial needs of major vulnerable groups in Hong Kong;

6)     Employ systems thinking to understand individual struggles within wider social systems.

Course Assessment

Participation (20%)

Group Presentation (40%)

Reflection Paper (40%)

The above course information is subject to change and approval.

Last updated on 20 February 2026