Year

2024

Credit points

10

Campus offering

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  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Online Unscheduled
  • ACU Term 3Online Unscheduled
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

Nil

Teaching organisation

On campus Mode: 3 hours per week for twelve weeks or equivalent totaling 36 hours.

ACU Online mode: 150 hours of study.

Unit rationale, description and aim

The social work profession responds to human vulnerabilities and social injustice. Social workers are constantly exposed to complex problems that require a sound foundation of theories and ethics to inform and guide how they respond to their clients and broader social issues. This unit will provide students with a critical understanding of the major theoretical frameworks in social work practice. The theoretical frameworks considered are those relevant for social work intervention in various fields and modes of practice. Emphasis will be given to how these theories can be used to inform social workers in key fields of practice. Debates surrounding the status of theory in social work including questions about what is 'theory' and how theory is integrated into practice will be included.

The unit covers the value and ethical foundations for social work, including a consideration of the philosophical and religious sources of ethics. An essential element of study in this unit is the in intersection of the personal and professional self, and the development of the skills of critical reflection and critical analysis. The overarching aim of this unit is for students to understand multiple social work and ethical theories and be able to apply those to key fields of social work practice.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Learning Outcome NumberLearning Outcome DescriptionRelevant Graduate Capabilities
LO1Explain and critique the purpose, values ethics and legal context of contemporary social work practiceGC1, GC2, GC7
LO2Describe and critically analyse major theoretical approaches informing social work practiceGC1, GC7
LO3Apply ethical principles and a range of social work theories to practice situations with diverse population groups, cultures, organizational contexts and fields of practice to understand individual and community issues and strategies for changeGC2, GC3, GC4, GC6, GC7
LO4Critically reflect upon personal values and the professional use of self in social work practiceGC6, GC7, GC8

ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes

This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Attributes and the ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes. The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes provided in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards: https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/13565  

Standard/Attributes/CriteriaLearning Outcomes

1.1 Practice in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics (2020)

1.2 Manage ethical dilemmas and issues arising in practice

5.4 Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice

LO1

4.1 Understand higher level systemic influences on people with respect to areas of practice

4.2 Understand and articulate social work and other relevant theories and concepts

5.4 Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice

LO2

3.1 Work respectfully and inclusively with cultural differences and diversity

3.2 Respect, strive to understand and promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures

4.4 Understand and articulate how and when theories, knowledge bases and knowledge sources inform practice

5.4 Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice

LO3

2.1 Represent the social work profession with integrity

and professionalism

 2.2 Behave in a professional manner and be accountable for all actions and decisions

5.4 Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice

8.1 Actively participate in professional supervision

LO4

AASW Practice Standards

Standards/Attributes/CriteriaLearning Outcomes

1.Values and ethics

2.Professionalism

3.Culturally responsive and inclusive practice

4.Knowledge for practice

5.Applying knowledge to practice

6.Communication and Interpersonal skills

7.Information recording and sharing

8.Professional development and supervision

Content

Topics will include:

• An exploration of the purpose and historical development of social work theory and the values and ethical foundations for the profession;

• Philosophical perspectives on ethics and human rights;

• Key theories for social work practice including: 

• Structural, post-structural and critical perspectives

Activities will focus on the application of contemporary theories to Australian and international contexts and fields for practice, such as;

• Drug and alcohol

• Disability

• Domestic and family violence

• Asylum seekers and refugees

• Ageing – health and community care

• LGBTQIA+

• Green social work  

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

ON CAMPUS:

Teaching and learning strategies for this unit will include lectures, small group discussions, and skill development workshops. A scenario-based approach is taken to facilitate understanding of the human services and legal context of social work practice and how theories are applied to analyse practice scenarios and guide social work responses. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively in class discussions and scenario-based activities in order to achieve the learning outcomes. These learning strategies will prepare students for the first field placement by: building knowledge of the social work practice context; practicing self-directed learning approaches expected of social work students on placements; and developing understanding of how theories guide practice.

This unit involves 150 hours of learning delivered within a blended learning mode combining with 36 hours of lecture material and face-to-face tutorials. Lectures will provide detailed content about social work values, ethical philosophies and principles informing practice, and social work theories. Tutorials will incorporate case scenarios relating to key fields of social work practice to build students’ knowledge and skills in integrating theory and practice. The approach adopted in this unit ensures that students integrate ethical philosophies and social work practice theories in practice, preparing students for successful and informed professional practice.     

ACU ONLINE:

Teaching and learning strategies for this unit will include online lecture material, online discussion forums, and interactive skill development exercises. A scenario-based approach is taken to facilitate understanding of the human services and legal context of social work practice and how theories are applied to analyse practice scenarios and guide social work responses.

Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively in online forums and engagement opportunities including scenario-based activities in order to achieve the learning outcomes. These learning strategies will prepare students for the first field placement by: building knowledge of the social work practice context; practicing self-directed learning approaches expected of social work students on placements; and developing understanding of how theories guide practice.

This unit involves 150 hours of learning delivered in online mode using an active learning approach. Students are expected to complete readings, reflect and engage with peers over the study period. Students will have access to self-paced learning modules, readings, webinars, discussion forums and assessment tasks. Online forums and chat rooms will facilitate learning by sharing critical reflections with a focus on case-based learning. This learning approach is flexible and inclusive, allowing students the opportunity to analyse, critically evaluate and reflect on social work theory and ethics and apply this to the social work practice context. The approach adopted in this unit ensures that students integrate ethical philosophies and social work practice theories in practice, preparing student for successful and informed professional practice.

Assessment strategy and rationale

ON CAMPUS:

The assessment for this unit ensures students are familiar with the AASW Code of Ethics and can apply social work theories and ethical principles to case scenarios.

The first assessment therefore is a quiz designed to ensure students are familiar with and understand the content of the AASW Code of Ethics.

In the second assessment students are required to verbally articulate comprehensive understanding of two social work theories and outline how these theories would inform and guide their practice in relation to a client scenario.

The final assessment is a reflective essay which requires students to reflect upon their own personal values and developing professional social work identity in relation to knowledge of social work ethics, theories and fields of practice. The critical reflective use of self is an important aspect of social work practice.

Together these assessments ensure students are prepared for ethical social work practice, and are informed by social work theories when engaging with social work practice. Students who pass the unit will have demonstrated sufficient ethical and theoretical knowledge to be ready for their first placement. 

In order to pass this unit students must demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome.

ACU ONLINE:

The assessments for this unit ensures students are familiar with the AASW Code of Ethics and can apply social work theories and ethical principles to case scenarios.

The first assessment therefore is a quiz designed to ensure students are familiar with and understand the content of the AASW Code of Ethics.

In the second assessment students are required to verbally articulate comprehensive understanding of two social work theories and outline how these theories would inform and guide their practice in relation to a client scenario.

The final assessment is a reflective essay which requires students to reflect upon their own personal values and developing professional social work identity in relation to knowledge of social work ethics, theories and fields of practice. The critical reflective use of self is an important aspect of social work practice.

Together these assessments ensure students are prepared for ethical social work practice, and are informed by social work theories when engaging with social work practice. Students who pass the unit will have demonstrated sufficient ethical and theoretical knowledge to be ready for their first placement. 

In order to pass this unit students must demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome.

Overview of assessments

ON CAMPUS:

Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment TasksWeightingLearning Outcomes

Short answer quiz: Enables students to demonstrate their understanding and familiarity with the purpose, values and ethics of social work practice including knowledge of the AASW Code of Ethics (2020), ethical theories, and ethical dilemmas. 750 words.

20%

LO1, LO2, LO4

Oral assessment: To encourage student’s understanding of, and ability to describe a range of social work theories and consider how this is shaping their professional social work lens. 15minutes duration, plus reference list.

40%

LO1, LO2, LO3

Essay: The purpose of the essay is to facilitate learning about the role of theory and ethics in social work practice. The essay focuses the students’ learning on applying theory and ethics to key fields of social work practice. 2000 words.

40%

LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

ACU ONLINE

Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment TasksWeightingLearning Outcomes

Short answer quiz: Social work theory and ethics: Enables students to demonstrate their understanding and familiarity with the purpose, values and ethics of social work practice including knowledge of the AASW Code of Ethics (2020), social work and ethical theories, and ethical dilemmas. 750 words.

20%

LO1, LO2, LO4

Oral Assessment (Via mixed media presentation): To encourage student’s understanding of, and ability to describe a range of social work theories and consider how this is shaping their professional social work lens. 15 minutes duration, plus reference list.

40%

LO1, LO2, LO3

Essay: The purpose of the essay is to facilitate learning about the role of theory and ethics in social work practice. The essay focuses the students’ learning on applying theory and ethics to key fields of social work practice. 2000 words.

40%

LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Mixed media refers to a choice of podcast, annotated presentation (e.g. PowerPoint, Prezi), or video. The EUO will determine the choice for each unit delivery.

Representative texts and references

Banks, S. (2021). Ethics and values in social work (5th ed.). Palgrave.

Bennett, B., & Green, S. (Eds.) (2019). Our voices: Aboriginal social work (2nd Ed.). Red Globe Press.

Fook, J. (2016). Social work: A critical approach to practice (3rd ed.). Sage.

Fook, J. & Gardner, F. (2012). Critical reflection in context. Routledge.

Healy, K. (2022). Social work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Hugman, R., Pawar, M., Anscombe, B. & Wheeler, A. (2020). Virtue Ethics in Social Work Practice. Routledge.

Payne, M. (2021). Modern social work theory (5th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Reamer, F.G. (2018). Social work values and ethics (5th ed.). Columbia University Press.

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