Units
Macro Context of Social Work Practice
Unit code: SWB400
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Social workers commonly work with and on behalf of disadvantaged persons, vulnerable groups and marginalised communities. While multi-causal, the life circumstances of these various social work clients are heavily influenced by the exercise of political/economic power and social policies of government. Social workers must have a thorough understanding of the structure of government, an awareness of economic budgetary processes, an appreciation of the 'art' and extent of real world politics - 'realpolitik'- and how these combine to shape and change social policy. Accordingly, this unit describes and explores the relationships between politics, economics and social policy placing particular emphasis on the implications of these and other macro forces for social work practice.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to provide students with knowledge of the structure and processes of government, an understanding of the dynamics of politics and an appreciation of the impact of the political and economic domains on professional social work practice and social policy.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
- describe the foundation, structure, workings, machinery, principles and budgetary processes of government
- identify the formal and informal policy making processes of Australia's major political parties
- explain the relationship between a range of vested interest groups, government decision making and the political and economic processes
- apply knowledge of the political / economic processes to a selected contemporary social policy and social work practice.
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards - 3.3; 4.2; 4.1.2; 4.1.6; 4.1.5;
AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers - 2.1; 2.3; 2.5; 3.1; 3.10; 4.3; 4.4; 4.5; 4.8; 4.9; 4.10
Content
This unit provides further understanding of Australian political, economic and social policy processes and contributes to the development of relevant professional knowledge and critical analytical thinking. Topics include:
- the macro context of social work practice
- foundation, structure, processes, machinery and principles of government
- political parties - structure, decision making and policy influence
- the bureaucracy - policy, political and economic influence
- budgets, economics and social work - no money no deal
- vested interest groups - role, pressure and influence
- the fourth estate - the media as policy maker
- social workers in social policy and as activists
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The unit will be offered on campus in a two hour lecture block with an additional one hour for collaborative group work. It is based on the following combination:
- a purposely constructed blended environment integrating virtual and campus learning and teaching
- a constructivist learning model requiring students to work collaboratively with colleagues on real world contemporary social issues which relate knowledge to practice
- the integration of information, communication and presentation technologies in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment
- learning support via virtual and on-line platforms.
Assessment name:
Written Blog Contributions
Description:
Students are required to demonstrate knowledge, critical analysis and real world application by contributing to two Blogs on selected contemporary social policy issues. Blogs should be no longer than 500 words with one contribution made in the Unit Blackboard Blog and one in a public forum. This item is summative. Generic feedback and support will be provided by advice on the relevant Blogs. Weight: 20% (10% per Blog).
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Throughout Semester
Assessment name:
Quiz
Description:
Students will be required to complete two quizzes examining material relating to the foundation, structure, processes, machinery and principles of government.
This item is summative. Generic feedback and support will be provided by a class Blog or Wiki.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, and 3
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 7
Assessment name:
Project (applied)
Description:
Students are required to work collaboratively on a selected social policy issue. The collaborative project will include research, analysis, collaboration, the writing of a 2000 word scholarly paper and a presentation to class. Summary papers are due one week before the class presentation. Presentation dates to be negotiated. This item is both summative and formative. Project groups will be supported and monitored on campus, on-line and virtually.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
To be negotiated
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
Printed Resources:
Althaus, C., Bridgman, P., & Davis. G. (2008). The Australian Policy Handbook. ( 4th ed.). Allen and Unwin.
Solomon, D. (2007). Pillars of Power: Australia's Institutions. Federation Press.
Web Resources:
Parliament, Government and Political Parties
Parliament of Australia at: http://www.aph.gov.au
Queensland Parliament at: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au
Australian State Territory and Local Government at: http://www.gov.au
Australian Government at: http://www.australia.gov.au
Queensland Government at: http://www.qld.gov.au
Australian Labor Party at: http://www.alp.org.au
Liberal Party of Australia at: http://www.liberal.org.au
The Nationals at: http://www.nationals.org.au
The Greens at: http://greens.org.au
Interest groups and media websites
Australian Council of Social Service at: http://www.acoss.org.au
Australian Council of Trade Unions at: http://www.actu.asn.au
Business Council of Australia at: http://www.bca.com.au
Australian Conservation Foundation at: http://www.acfonline.org.au
Australian Newspapers on Line at: http://www.nla.gov.au/npapers
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
