Unit rationale, description and aim
Social Workers are regularly faced with complex situations. Knowledge of theories and ethics can assist them to better understand these issues and provide a framework for responding to their clients. This unit provides students with an understanding of the ethical theories, and social work theories for practice. It introduces critical theory, structural, feminist, systems and ecological perspectives relevant for contemporary 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 the value and ethical foundations for social work, including a consideration of the philosophical and religious sources of ethics. The unit also examines how colonisation has shaped dominant ethical and social work theories, and the significance of First Nations knowledges for ethical practice. The overarching aim of this unit is for students to understand multiple social work and ethical theories and be able to apply those in professional practice contexts.
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.
Explain how social work values, ethical principles...
Learning Outcome 01
Examine how theories informing social work practic...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply social work theories to inform professional ...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically analyse the influence of colonisation o...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
Contemporary social work theories and perspectives
• Critical theory
• Indigenous knowledges
• Structural and post-structural-theories
• Feminist theories
• Systems and ecological perspectives
• Psychodynamic perspectives
Ethical and values perspectives in social work
• Deontological theories
• Utilitarianism\\Teleological theories
• Virtue ethics
• Ethics of care
• The capability approach
Social work ethics and values in practice
• AASW Code of ethics
• Social work ethical principles and values
• Ethical reasoning and ethical dilemmas
• Ethical decision making models
• Influences of personal, professional and societal values on practice
The relationships between social work theories and practice
• Reflective practice
• Models of integrating theory
Assessment strategy and rationale
This unit takes an authentic assessment approach to demonstrate student competency in application of theories to social work practice. The first assessment is a short answer quiz to familiarise students with the values and principles underpinning the AASW Code of Ethics. The second assessment is an essay based on practice examples which requires students to apply ethical theories and develop solutions to resolve ethical conflicts, as well as reflect on the values and how it informs their ethical social work practice. The third assessment is an essay based on case studies, which requires students to demonstrate their knowledge of theories and its integration in practice by applying them to a case study that mimics real world settings. Additionally, it requires students to examine how theories used in social work practice contribute to their ongoing development of professional identity.
Together these assessments ensure students are prepared for ethical social work practice, and are informed by social work theories when engaging with clients.
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and obtain a minimum mark of 50% for the unit.
Overview of assessments
Short answer quiz: Students demonstrate und...
Short answer quiz: Students demonstrate understanding of the AASW Code of Ethics and critically analyse the influence of colonisation on ethical social work practice, incorporating First Nations perspectives.
20%
Written Assessment: Students demonstrate underst...
Written Assessment: Students demonstrate understanding of ethical social work values, theories and frameworks, and apply ethical decision-making processes to practice dilemmas.
40%
Essay: Students explain relevant social work the...
Essay: Students explain relevant social work theories, discuss their influence on professional identity, and apply them to practice, critically analysing the influence of colonisation on the theories and practices under discussion.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Teaching and learning strategies for this unit include pre-recorded lectures, readings and tutorials designed using case studies to instil skill development through peer-based learning.
Lectures and online learning materials include applying ethical theories to resolve ethical dilemmas. Additionally, a suite of theories informing social work practice, including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural therapy, task/crisis centred, strengths based, narrative, trauma, social construction and critical theories will be integrated in tutorials using real world case examples. Assessment tasks develop students’ familiarity with the Australian Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics, ethical decision-making processes, and the application of social work theories to practice situations.
Attendance at tutorials provides students opportunity to develop skills, namely peer based learning, team work and role modelling for their peers. It also deepens their insights of how to integrate complex theories to real world case scenarios and prepares them for the first Field Education experience.
Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024)
This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Capabilities and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024) . The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024).