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LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1

Unit description

Introduces students to the profession of social work, and outlines the core knowledge and values required of practising social workers in Australia. The profession is understood within the context of contemporary social welfare arrangements and labour market. The unit seeks to critically examine social work theories and models, as well as different ways of transferring knowledge into practice.

Unit content

1.   The art of Social Work and the use of self

2.   Ideologies, Ethics and Values of Social Work

3.   Social Work Practice theories and Framework

4.   Social Justice and critical consciousness

5.   Privilege, Oppression and Disadvantage

6.   Neoliberalism and the labour Market

7.   The Welfare State and Critical SW

8.   Cross-Cultural Social Work

9.   Aboriginal Issues in Context

10. Decolonised Social Work Practice

11. Critical and Reflective Practice

12. Framing the conclusion

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1discuss the core knowledge and values of the social work professionEthical practice
2explain how social workers respond to ethical issues and dilemmasEthical practice
3critically evaluate different social work theories and modelsKnowledge of a discipline
4explain how evidence-based and reflective practice models can be used to inform social work practice.Knowledge of a discipline

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. discuss the core knowledge and values of the social work profession
    • GA3: Ethical practice
  2. explain how social workers respond to ethical issues and dilemmas
    • GA3: Ethical practice
  3. critically evaluate different social work theories and models
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. explain how evidence-based and reflective practice models can be used to inform social work practice.
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Prescribed texts

  • Connolly, M, Harms, L & Maidment, J, 2018, Social Work Contexts and Practice, 4th edn, Oxford University Press.

  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Structured online learning 1 hour/week (12 Weeks)
Tutorial on-site 2 hours/week (12 Weeks)
Assessment
Essay40%
Short Answer Project60%
ParticipationSR

Teaching method
Structured online learning 1.5 hours/week (12 Weeks)
Residential session 7 hours/day  (3 Days)
Assessment
Essay40%
Short Answer Project60%
ParticipationSR
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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