Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

This introductory transition-In unit recognises the particular importance at Postgraduate level to ground learning in contemporary, real world issues and to provide students a comprehensive analytical framework for understanding the current trends, issues, challenges and opportunities within Social Work. The unit is positioned strategically to allow students to locate their learning and professional aspirations within the broader social work context.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to critically analyse current trends, issues, challenges and opportunities within the Social Work profession and their impacts on contemporary and emerging intervention and practice methods. The unit aims to provide students with a context for study and career direction and to enable them to properly prepare for professional practice in an ever-changing community services sector.

Objectives

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

1. Assimilate existing and emerging knowledge, practice skills and values regarding social work practice and theory
2. Describe and integrate the contemporary nature of social work, its role, mandate, functions and characteristics
3. Critically analyse selected social issues and the trends, challenges and opportunities for the community services sector and social work profession
4. Interpret how core Social Work values and moral and ethical frameworks are represented in your perceptions and response to social issues.


Relates to AASW Education and Accreditation Standards (2012) - 3.1; 3.4; 3.6; 4.1.1; 4.1.3; 4.1.2; 4.1.5; 4.2;
and AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers - 1.1; 1.2; 2.1; 3.1; 3.2; 4.1; 4.2; 4.3.

Content

This unit covers the following:

• the role of social work and the social worker in contemporary society


• critical constructions, institutional contexts and characteristics of social work


• current social issues and social work


• composition and direction of the social work sector


• emerging trends and challenges; cultural issues and Indigenous perspectives


• developments in contemporary practice and interventions methods


• ethical and professional issues in practice


• professional Standards of Practice

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Students are expected to attend an on campus orientation to introduce the purposely constructed blended environment integrating virtual learning and teaching. The virtual mode includes audio, video, and written material placed on Blackboard allowing students to learn in flexible, mobile modes through podcasts, vodcasts and text files. Students are required to maintain a strong current affairs watch and contribute to Course Blog discussions. Your lecturers will be available at negotiated times and modes of connection for regular contact, discussion and feedback throughout the semester.

With the support of teaching staff, students may work alone or collaboratively with a small group of colleagues. You will integrate and contextualize generic knowledge from the Unit into your work and demonstrate an understanding of the current debates on the nature of social work. Your learning will be enhanced by interaction with relevant agencies / persons in the social work field. Students are expected to utilize a range of web-based interactive communication technologies to enhance internal group collaboration and interaction with relevant community sources.

Assessment

This unit comprises two assessment items, the first being a take home exam, and the second research paper. Both assessment items relate to the foundation knowledge and the key trends, challenges and opportunities within social work practice.Feedback for both items is both formative and summative. Students have access to various trial tests prior to the take home exam being submitted with feedback provided by blog postings and podcasts. Feedback for the test is both group via a podcast posted on the blackboard site and individual via a podcast or written piece emailed to each student. The second item provides formative feedback to individuals and groups at workshops and via web-based blog discussions.

Assessment name: Quiz
Description: Students will complete a take home quiz based on set readings and the set text (Chenoweth and McAuliffe 2011) which requires you to apply your emerging knowledge of practice skills theory to describe the role and function of the social work profession to social issues, trends, challenges and opportunities in the community services sector.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Research Paper
Description: Students have the choice to work collaboratively or alone to critically analyse trends, opportunities and challenges impacting on a chosen field of human services or social work practice. Your project work will include research, analysis and interpretation of values and ethical frameworks in, the writing of a group summary professional report ,with each student completing a 2,500 word contribution within the overall report.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

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

Set Texts:

Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2011). The road to social work and human service practice (3rd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic.: Cengage Learning

Additional required reading:

1. Connolly, M., & Harms, L. (2009). Chapter 1: The art and science of social work. In Connolly, M., & Harms, L. (Eds.), Social work: Contexts and practice (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand.

2. Gardner, F. (2006). Chapter 1: Current issues and prospects. In Gardner, F. Working with human service organisations. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

3. Healy, K. (2005). Chapter 2: Dominant discourses in health and welfare: Biomedicine, economics and law. In Healy, K. Social work theories: Creating frameworks for practice. Houndmills Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

4. Ife, J. (1997). Chapter 2: Competing discourses of human services. In Ife, J. Rethinking social work: Towards critical practice. Melbourne: Longman.

5. Jones, A., and May, J. (1992). Chapter 9: Responding to consumer needs in organisations. In Jones, A and May, J. Working in Human Service Organisations: A Critical Introduction. Melbourne: Longman Australia.

6. Kenny, S. (2006). Chapter 1: The nature of community development. In Kenny, S. Developing communities for the future (3rd ed.). South Melbourne: Thomson.

7. McDonald,C. (2006). Chapter 4: Challenging social work: The politics of change. In McDonald, C. Challenging social work: The institutional context of practice. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

8. O'Connor, I., Wilson, J., Setterlund, D., & Hughes, M. (2008). Chapter 2: Social Welfare in Australia. In O'Connor, I., Wilson, J., Setterlund, D., & Hughes, M. Social work and human service practice (5th ed.). Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education.

9. Payne, M. (2005). Chapter 2: Issues in social work practice theory. In Payne, M. Modern Social Work Theory(3rd ed.). Houndmills Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

10. Sheafor, B. and Horejsi C. (2012). Chapter 6. Practice frameworks for social work. In Sheafor, B. and Horejsi C. Techniques and Guidelines for Social Work Practice (9th ed.).Upper Saddle River, NJ.: Pearson Allyn and Bacon.


Suggested Readings:

Connolly, M., & Harms, L. (2009). Social work: Contexts and practice (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand.

Dominelli, L. (2007). Revitalising communities in a globalising world. Aldershot, England; Burlington, VT: Ashgate.

Fauri, D. P., Wernet, S. P., & Netting, F. E. (2008). Cases in macro social work practice (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Allyn and Bacon.

McDonald,C. (2006). Challenging social work: the institutional context of practice. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Risk assessment statement

There are no identified 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: 25-Mar-2013