Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Whether engaged in direct practice, service management, organisational change or policy development, professional practitioners will be required to work in groups, multidisciplinary teams and across a diversity of communities. Group, team and community work in professional practice require effective practice knowledge and skills for intervention. The dynamics involved in these practice areas demand a range of effective communication, planning and leadership skills of the practitioner.

Aims

This unit aims to explore the strategic use, and application, of group work, team work and community work in professional practice as a method for addressing social inequity.

Objectives

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

1. Lead a group, team and community in a range of professional practice contexts


2. Critically evaluate group, team and community dynamics


3. Apply interpersonal oral and written communication skills in service


4. Interpret AASW professional standards and apply to ethical practice

AASW Education and Accreditation Standards - 3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 3.4; 3.5; 4.1.1; 4.1.3; 4.1.4; 4.1.5; 4.1.6; 4.2.1; 4.2.2
AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers -1.8; 2.1; 2.5; 2.12; 3.1; 3.7; 3.8; 4.4

Content

This unit covers the following:
· theoretical underpinnings of group, team and community work
· identification of theoretical foundations and practice skills for group, team and community work
· group, team and community work in professional practicesocial work leadership of groups, teams and community work in diverse settings
· use of power and managing intra and inter group conflict
· group, team and community work as intervention techniques with Indigenous peoples
· group communication and decision making processes
· group, team and community work as intervention techniques for marginalised and disadvantaged group
· designing a group, team and community work project
· demonstrate knowledge and skills for group, team and community work including effective communication, needs identification, mediation, capacity building, decision making, negotiation, conflict resolution, planning and leadership.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Small group exercises and discussions using problem-solving scenarios, requiring the application of relevant theory and appropriate interventions will form part of the on-campus experience. Role-plays and other experiential exercises will be used to develop student's professional skill base. Video snapshots will provide additional insights into practice dilemmas and issues. This unit focuses on practice knowledge and skills and will be taught using experiential learning strategies. Lectures will provide a concise overview with explanation and examination of the relevant theory or practice method, supported by appropriate technologies. Students in this Unit will have access to significant material on the Blackboard unit site, and use social technologies relevant to the learning activities.

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Project (applied) with simulation aspect

Working within your research group, students will plan a closed group session and analyse participation, facilitation and self awareness in group, team and community dynamics in practice. Your group is required to produce a written group session manual with transcription or podcast to simulate its application in real-world social work practice.

Feedback: In-group discussions and unit blogs will provide formative peer feedback to share learning. Oral feedback from teaching staff and peers will be a central element to professional development of skills and heightened self awareness.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Project (research)
Description: The making of a community - - using an aspect of the social audit tool, critically identify, design and evaluate a community work project relevant to a real-world practice context. Presentation of your findings will be in a written project report format with an accompanying storyboard to support communication to broad target audiences.
Feedback: Peer and staff discussions/negotiations on presentation genre will provide formative feedback.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3 and 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 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

Recommended texts:

Alle-Corliss, L., & Alle-Corliss, R. (2010). Group work: A practical guide to developing groups in agency settings. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. (E-book)

Taylor, J., Wilkinson, D., & Cheers, B. (2008). Working with communities in health and human services. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Zastrow, C. H. (2009). Social work with groups: A comprehensive workbook (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.


Web based resources:

Students will have access to a range of Electronic databases including Social Work Abstracts, Family and Society Plus and Social Services Abstracts.

Risk assessment statement

Students are advised that some content and experiences may be distressing. Appropriate measures will be in place for debriefing and closure.

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