This course aims to introduce the foundational knowledge in social sciences for social work.  Selected social sciences perspectives such as relational theory, attachment theory, theories of psychosocial development, social psychological theories, theories of abnormal psychological development, conflict theory, structural theories, feminist perspective, and post-modern perspectives will be taught and used for analysing social problems such as adolescent drug abuse, family violence, mental illness; and human predicaments such as death and dying, traumas, aggression and violence.  Similarities and differences of selected perspectives will be highlighted, and the importance of a multi-dimensional understanding of and strategies in dealing with social problems and human predicaments will also be stressed. 

This is a supplementary course and is designed to help students who have little to no knowledge of social sciences to get familiarized with fundamental theories and concepts in selected disciplines in social sciences.  The course is run in an intensive mode and is to be completed within the first four weeks of the semester, including weekends. 

Students who (1) are non-social sciences graduates, or (2) have taken either psychology or sociology but not the other, are required to complete this course.  Students who have knowledge of basic psychology (i.e. Sessions 3-6) or sociology (Sessions 7-9) would only need to take the relevant sessions that they have not taken in their previous studies.