Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

At the beginning of studies in Social Work and Human Services it is essential that students develop a clear understanding of the scope of social work or human services, the context in which they are located, and the changing patterns of professional occupations and service delivery. It is also essential that students begin to explore their own motivations for becoming a social work or human service practitioner and begin to develop a sense of professional identity. It is anticipated that student's engagement with this reflective journey will continue throughout the social work or human services course. An understanding of cultural diversity and the construction of 'difference' are integral to social work and human service practice. Understanding and reflecting on cultural diversity will be an embedded feature of this unit.

Aims

This unit aims to introduce students to the scope of social problems and equip students with an understanding of the role of social work and human services, their location within broader society and the professional standards expected of practitioners, and to begin to consider students own emerging professional identity.

Objectives

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

1. understand and describe the nature and scope of social problems and the social work and human services sector and the social work and human services roles within it (GVS 1 - 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6);


2. recognise and reflect on the role of values, ethics and practice standards in social work and human services (GVS 1 - 1.1, 1.2, 1.11; GVS2 - 2.6);


3. understand and critique the history and changing contexts of social work and human services in Australia (GVS 1 - 1.5, 1.6);


4. articulate, reflect on and critique their own developing sense of professional identity (GVS 3 - 3.1, 3.2); and


5. select and apply academic skills and tools to different academic contexts (GVS 2 - 2.3, 2.5, 2.7).

Learning outcomes link to:
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards: 3.1, 3.2, 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6
AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.9, 3.1, 6.2, 6.5
AIWCW Core Competencies: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 2.6, 4.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2, 7.4

Content

The unit will provide an initial snapshot of the nature and scope of social problems and social work and human service sector followed by in-depth consideration of a number of threshold concepts. An overview, history and contextual considerations of each threshold concept will be discussed. A threshold concept is like a doorway to new ways of thinking about a topic. Comprehending a threshold concept transforms the way you understand or interpret an issue, and from there you can move forward to new layers of understanding. The threshold concepts include:

Roles and Levels of Practice

• Ethics and Values


• Practice Standards


• Tensions and Trends


• Critical and Reflective practice

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will utilise mixed modes of teaching and learning. Students will meet on campus for two full days in the first and second weeks of the semester, followed by 3 hours per fortnight in a lecture and learning circle (facilitated discussion group) format. The unit will conclude with a full day in the final week. It is expected that students will engage in online activities between the fortnightly lecture/learning circles.

The unit will be supported by a Blackboard site and by online discussion forums In addition students will be encouraged to maintain a current affairs watch linking lecture material to real world contemporary events. Students will be also introduced to and are expected to use the QUT ePortfolio as a means to document learning throughout the semester. It is anticipated the ePortfolio will be added to and reflected on over a student's entire course, becoming part of their ongoing learning journey.

Assessment

TThe unit consists of three assessment items, the first being a brief paper due in week three. This early piece of assessment will provide students with an indication of their initial level of academic functioning. The second is an in-depth examination of one of the threshold concepts. The final piece of assessment is a summary of entries to the ePortfolio.Assessment item one and two are formative and summative. General feedback will be provided to students via the unit homepage. Specific feedback will be provided to students via tutors. Assessment item three is summative. Feedback will be provided to students via tutors.

Assessment name: Critique (written)
Description: Following the introduction to social problems and the Social Work and Human Services sector, this paper explores motivations for becoming a Social Work or Human Service practitioner and discussions with current practitioners. Students are to identify an area of the Social Work or Human Services industry in which they would like to work and provide some analysis regarding why, drawing on what they have learned to date about themselves, about social problems and about the industry. Word limit 800 words.
Relates to objectives: 1, 4, 5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 3

Assessment name: Essay
Description: The essay will focus on an in-depth examination of one of the threshold concepts; expanding on the online, lecture and learning circle discussions on one of the threshold concepts examined up to week 7. This is an academic paper and students will be expected to research beyond the content already delivered. Word limit 1500 words.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

Assessment name: Reflective Summary
Description: Summary of fortnightly reflections on threshold concepts.
This summary is a reflection on student's developing understanding and knowledge of social problems, of the Industry and of their emerging professional identity as a Social Work or Human Services practitioner. The summary will draw on all entries to student's ePortfolio. 1500 word summary plus ePortfolio entries.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 14

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text:
Chenoweth, L. and McAuliffe, D. (2008). The Road to Social Work and Human Service Practice (2nd ed). Southbank Victoria: Thomson

Web-based Resources:
Students will have access to material on Blackboard including a weekly current affairs watch.

Risk assessment statement

There are no particular risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 17-Oct-2012