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

This unit provides you with an opportunity to develop and apply social work knowledge, skills and values to a range of international and regional issues. It will extend your understandings of the scope of social work practice by exploring the relationship between core social work principles and values and global international issues including social justice, human rights, development assistance, aid and key concerns identified in the Millennium Development Goals. The Unit considers opportunities for engagement with international social work organisation and related agencies.

Aims

This unit aims to equip you with a critical awareness of the various approaches utilised, and challenges to be met, in undertaking international social work.

Objectives

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

1. Understand the theory, practice, principles and values underpinning international social work



2. Locate international social work practice within broader social, political, economic and cultural contexts



3. Understand the relevance of international social work practice to international and regional development, aid and assistance programs



4. Demonstrate high level research and collaborative skills to a selected international social work issue



5. Identify and critically reflect on the professional and personal attributes needed to work within an international social work context.

Content

International Social Work theory, practice and scope

Competencies for professional cross cultural practice

Competing and complementary perspectives [including human rights, ecological, social development]

International Social Work in development aid, social assistance and humanitarian programs

Organizational and network contexts including Intergovernmental, governmental and civil society entities [UN, AusAid, ActionAid, Oxfam, Red Cross et al]

Fields of professional practice [poverty alleviation, education, health, refugees, displaced persons, vulnerable populations, children et al]

Future challenges, emerging issues and opportunities

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit is conducted using a negotiated, flexible and blended approach to learning and teaching. It will include two compulsory on-campus introductory lectures, negotiated collaborative group sessions on campus and in virtual mode, and concluding seminar presentations. The learning will be heavily supported by a range of Blackboard resources including Podcasts and Elluminate sessions. The final learning and teaching arrangements will be mutually agreed at the first on campus lecture. There will be some compulsory on-campus learning sessions but students will not be expected to attend campus each week.

Assessment

This unit contains assessment items which link theory with the contemporary understanding and practice of social work and human services. There is a particular emphasis on ensuring the relevance of assessment to learning, practice and real world challenges and contemporary issues. The individual items of assessment are detailed below.You will be provided with formative and summative feedback on the various items of assessment. You will be able to incorporate constructive feedback into your assessment as the semester progresses. Further details on feedback will be provided at the commencement of the semester.

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: In consultation with staff you will be required to write a 2500 word paper focused on a case study examining a selected international social work thematic or individual issue.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

Assessment name: Applied Project
Description: In consultation with staff you will be required to work collaboratively with a peer group on a selected international social work thematic or individual issue resulting in a 2000 work project report, including annotated bibliography and project presentation.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 12 & 13

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

There is no set text for this unit. A range of references will be available for each week on the library CMD, accessible through the Blackboard site. There will be extensive use of video, audio, and Web based material.

Recommended Reading:

Cox, D. and Pawar, M. (2006).International social work: Issues, strategies and programs. London: Sage Publications.

Risk assessment statement

Students will undertake lectures and tutorials in studios and lecture rooms. There are no extraordinary workplace and safety issues associated with this unit. Students may be required to undertake lecturer-led field visits or workshop sessions.

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