Units
Linking Social Work Theory and Practice
Unit code: SWB310
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
An essential component of developing into a competent social worker is the capacity to reflect on and build a framework for practice. In this unit students are required to attend a series of seminars and workshops that have been designed to provide them with the opportunity to gain specific knowledge and process skills for the development of an initial framework for professional practice. One aspect of competency for later professional development is the capacity to reflect and build upon this framework throughout the students’ life as a social worker. This unit provides skills and understandings necessary for this to occur. [SWB310 is incompatible with HHB339]
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
| 2013 Summer | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
It is imperative that social workers are able to clearly and concisely articulate well developed professional frameworks that guide practice. All frameworks include important ethical components which in the Australian context are informed by the AASW Code of Ethics (2010). It is offered at this point in the course as an important complement to professional placement. Your personal and professional practice framework is perhaps the most important piece of work that you will develop and utilise following your academic studies.
Aims
This unit aims to enable you to further develop your professional practice framework with a particular emphasis on understanding and integrating the ethical components of that framework. You will be able to both explore and integrate theory into practice, including consideration of the key role that ethics and values play in social work practice.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. articulate an emerging critical understanding of an evidence-based professional practice framework;
2. identify ethical considerations relevant to your practice framework;
3. demonstrate understanding of organizational and service delivery contexts by placing yourself and social work within these.
Learning outcomes link to:
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards - 2.6; 3.1; 3.2; 3.4; 3.5; 4.1.1; 4.1.3; 4.1.4; 4.1.5; 4.1.6; 4.2.2
AASW Practice Standards for Social workers -1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.7; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; 2.1; 2.2
Content
This unit covers:
- the nature and scope of personal and professional conceptual frameworks for practice;
- consideration of agency characteristics and social work roles;
- the interface between personal and professional roles and responsibilities; and
- the ethical, organisational and personal dimensions to practice.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Learning and teaching within this unit will include on campus mandatory workshops, presentations and interactive sessions. It will be complemented by a range of activities and support materials located on Blackboard. It will include the use of virtual discussion boards and reflective journals.
Assessment
This unit has two pieces of assessment. The first piece of assessment requires you to undertake two critical summaries of key readings that will draw upon your developing critical analysis skills. The second piece of assessment will enable you to develop a robust emerging professional practice framework through the integration of theory and practice that draws upon your placement experiences.You will be provided with formative and summative feedback on the various items of assessment and will be able to incorporate constructive feedback into assessment pieces as the semester progresses. Further details on feedback will be provided at the commencement of the semester.
Assessment name:
Critique (written)
Description:
Critical summaries. You are required to undertake a minimum of 2 out of 5 directed critical readings of key social work articles/book chapters and submit a 1000 - 1500 word critical summary of each.
To be submitted via Blackboard. Instructions on how to do this will be clearly outlined on Blackboard.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, and 3
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
TBA via Blackboard
Assessment name:
Practice Framework
Description:
A 2,500 word assignment integrating your personal and theoretical perspectives, clearly articulating your emerging practice framework.
To be submitted via Blackboard at end of placement with clear instructions on Blackboard.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, and 3
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
TBA via Blackboard
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
Recommended Text:
Healy, K. (2005) Social Work Theories in Context: Creating Frameworks for Practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Other Resources
Alston, M. & McKinnon J. (2005). Social Work: Fields of Practice. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Cleak, H. & Wilson, J. (2007). Making the most of field placement (second edition). South Melbourne: Thomson.
Oko, J. (2005). Values and ethics in social work. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Payne, M. (2005). Modern social work theory (3rd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Thompson, N. (2009). Practising Social Work. Basingstoke; Palgrave.
Trevithick, P. (2005). Social work skills: A practice handbook. Buckinghamshire: Open University Press.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary 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: 09-Apr-2013
