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 people, societal and structural issues. In this unit, students will be equipped with a coherent and contemporary knowledge base of theories, principles and concepts informing ethical social work across a diverse range of practice settings, including a consideration of the philosophical and religious sources of ethics, debates surrounding the status of theory in social work, and the role of power in knowledge production. An essential element of study in this unit is the intersection of the personal and professional selves, and the development of the skills of critical reflection and critical analysis. The overarching aim of this unit is for students to acquire a coherent and evolving knowledge base to guide their social work across fields of 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.
Explain associations between social work purpose, ...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically analyse ethics and values, and theories...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply ethics and values, and theories, principles ...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically reflect upon personal values, positiona...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- The history and contemporary place of social work in Australia
- The foundations and scope of practice of social work in Australia
- Exploration of key theories of culture, Identity, and discrimination in social work, including:
- Sociological theories (to address structural power and interpersonal dynamics)
- Psychological theories (to understand individual in social context, and sense of self)
- Critical frameworks (to challenge oppression and promote social justice in line with the AASW Code of Ethics and Practice Standards)
- Exploring social work context, such as the triple mandate of social work: supporting people in need; exercising state control; and applying theory and social work principles.
Activities will focus on the application of theory to practice, which may include direct practice, community work, organisational and system reform, cross-cultural and anti-oppressive practice, decolonising activities, and education and capacity building. These are often found in cross-cutting or evolving areas in response to human and societal needs.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The unit supports students to commence developing a social work identity through their commitment to social work values, evidence-informed approaches, and professional practice. Accordingly, there are three assessment tasks designed to test the learning outcomes in the unit:
- Assessment Task 1 is a visual representation and justification, to show understanding of the interrelationship between the purpose of social work, ethics and values, and theories, principles and concepts informing social work.
- Assessment Task 2 is an essay in which students are required to articulate a comprehensive understanding of two social work theories, principals or concepts, and to apply these to a practice-based scenario.
- Assessment Task 3 is a presentation in which students draw upon two social work theories, principals or concepts (not used for Assessment 2), and apply these to a practice-based scenario. An aspect of this assessment is for students to critically reflect on their positionality and the role of power, both which are important in developing their social work identity and for the use-of-self.
Students who pass the unit will have demonstrated sufficient ethical and theoretical knowledge, and reflective engagement, to be ready for their first placement.
To pass this unit students must demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome and have obtained a total mark of 50% in the unit as the minimum standard.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Concept Mapping and Written Justifi...
Assessment 1: Concept Mapping and Written Justification
Enables students to demonstrate foundational knowledge of the profession, including relationships between the purpose of social work, ethics and values, theories, principles and concepts.
20%
Assessment 2: Essay Enables students to articul...
Assessment 2: Essay
Enables students to articulate their understanding of social work ethics and values, theories, principles and concepts, through applying these across practice domains in social work, and in the context of social work.
40%
Assessment 3: Presentation and Reference list E...
Assessment 3: Presentation and Reference list
Enables students to articulate their understanding of social work ethics and values, theories, principles and concepts, through applying these across practice domains in social work, and in the context of social work, together with considerations of positionality and the role of power.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Teaching and learning strategies for this unit will include online lectures and resources, and tutorials and discussion activities, using scenario-based approaches to facilitate understanding of theory, ethics and the context of social work. The learning strategies will contribute to preparing students for the first field placement by building knowledge of the social work practice context and practicing self-directed learning approaches expected of social work students.
ON CAMPUS:
Online resources will provide foundational content. Tutorials use case scenarios to foster students’ skills in integrating theory and practice, through peer learning. The unit promotes and supports students to apply ethical and theoretical frameworks supporting preparation for reflective, ethical, and culturally responsive professional practice.
ACU ONLINE:
Students will access self-paced learning modules, readings, participate in discussion forums, and complete case-based exercised and assessments. Online forums and interactive spaces will encourage critical reflection and peer learning. This inclusive, flexible approach enables students to critically evaluate and apply a range of ethical and theoretical frameworks supporting preparation for reflective, ethical, and culturally responsive professional practice.
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).
Relating to
Conduct themselves according to the values, principles and guidelines of the AASW
Code of Ethics 2020
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Have a clear sense of accountability for their actions and accept responsibility for the
decisions they make and their professional actions
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Recognise and take responsibility for what is within their power, control or
management
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3
Relating to
Are aware of the diversity among, and differences between, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander cultures throughout Australia
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Respect the knowledge and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples, and privilege their voices
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Adopt appropriate cultural and communication protocols
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Advocate for human rights and practice in ways that aim to achieve access, equity, participation and legal protection for all
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Ensure that the rights of the people they work with are promoted, protected, and
upheld
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Support action to enable people to live a life free of abuse, neglect, exploitation and
violence
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Promote public policy initiatives aimed at eliminating structural and systemic
inequities experienced by people
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Conduct their approach to practice respectfully and inclusively with regard to culture
and diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Apply an intersectional lens in their approach to complexities around culture and
diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Adapt and modify their practice on the basis of a critical awareness of how their
personal values, cultures and beliefs impact on their interactions with people
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Practise within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical
understanding of contemporary social work theory and research
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Work from a clearly articulated framework for reflective practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Make professional decisions on the basis of a holistic assessment of the needs,
strengths, goals and preferences of people
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Recognise, and use responsibly, the power and authority they have when exercising
professional judgement affecting people
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Critically assess the quality and veracity of all relevant information to support their
decisions
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO4
Relating to
Make decisions aimed primarily at achieving the best possible outcomes for people
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3
Relating to
Assess the nature and level of risk to people and incorporate that into the overall
assessment
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Make assessments and decide courses of action informed and guided by the lived
experience, wishes and preferences of service users to the fullest extent possible
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Actively contribute to strengthening and promoting the identity and standing of the
profession
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Articulate and promote the unique scope and contribution of social work to the
people they serve, including within interdisciplinary settings
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Monitor, evaluate and review their skills, knowledge and expertise
Relevant learning outcomeLO4
Relating to
Be active learners, open to new and emerging knowledge, research and evidence
informing their practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4