Course Coordinator:Dimitra Lattas (dlattas@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton BayUniSC CabooltureUniSC Fraser CoastUniSC Gympie |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Online |
Online | You can do this course without coming onto campus. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
This course provides you with an introduction to a range of theories which inform social work practice. You will develop an understanding of social work theory to develop skills in applying theory to understand and intervene with individuals, communities and society. You will further extend your practice philosophy and skills within these theoretical frameworks. You will be challenged to integrate your own personal perspective and societal influences when applying theoretical concepts to specific practice contexts and understand the implications of these for practices.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – online learning materials | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Weekly tutorials | 2hrs | Week 1 | 10 times |
Online | |||
Learning materials – 13 weeks online learning materials | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Weekly online (Zoom) tutorials | 2hrs | Week 1 | 10 times |
Social theories, models and perspectives
Micro and macro theories of practices
Application of theory to practice
[Mature content across all topics]
100 Level (Introductory)
12 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Association of Social Workers | |
1 | Engage with the process of self-reflection and describe how your own environment, beliefs, values and worldviews your role as a social worker. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Ethical Engaged |
1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 5.4 |
2 | Apply theoretical concepts to specific practice contexts and understand the implications of these for practice |
Empowered Engaged |
1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 7.1 |
3 | Apply your knowledge of theory to a particular case study. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Ethical |
2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 5.3 |
4 | Demonstrate emerging professional communication skills |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged |
6, 6.1, 7.1 |
CODE | COMPETENCY |
Australian Association of Social Workers | |
1.1 | Practise in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics |
1.2 | Manage ethical dilemmas and issues arising in practice |
2 | Professionalism |
3.1 | Work inclusively and respectfully with cultural difference and diversity |
4.1 | Understand higher level systemic influences on people with respect to area of practice |
4.2 | Understand and articulate social work and other relevant theories and concepts |
4.3 | Understand the role of research and evaluation in obtaining and generating new knowledge for practice |
4.4 | Understand and articulate how and when theories, knowledge bases and knowledge sources inform practice |
5.1 | Assess and analyse needs to inform practice |
5.3 | Use a range of social work methods and techniques appropriate to the area of practice |
5.4 | Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice |
6 | Communication and interpersonal skills |
6.1 | Communicate with a diverse range of people |
7.1 | Record and manage information appropriately |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Quiz/zes will be used to provide early feedback on the understanding of course content.
Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
All | 1 | Artefact - Creative | Individual | 30% | A4 length |
Week 4 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 2 | Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece | Individual | 30% | 1000 |
Week 7 | Online Submission |
All | 3 | Case Study | Individual | 40% | 1500 words |
Week 13 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All - Assessment Task 1:Poster - Social Work Theory | |
Goal: | The goal of this assessment task is to demonstrate an understanding of social work theories in an accessible format |
Product: | Artefact - Creative |
Format: | A4 poster design |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 2:Eco-Map and Critical Reflection | |
Goal: | The goal of this assessment task is to apply systems theory and an ecological perspective to develop an ecomap reflecting on complex factors across the various levels/systems. |
Product: | Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece |
Format: | This task will be in Word doc or PowerPoint file format - Develop an eco-map and write a critical reflection piece to accompany this |
Criteria: |
|
All - Assessment Task 3:Case study | |
Goal: | The goal of this task is for you to apply your cumulative understanding of various theories and the multidimensional nature of human behaviour to analyse the behaviour of a case study. |
Product: | Case Study |
Format: | You will compare and contrast two different theories in relation to the understanding of a selected case study and identify the strengths and weaknesses of each theory. |
Criteria: |
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A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Information regarding prescribed texts or other associated resources will be made available on the Canvas site prior to commencement of study.
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
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