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Course Outline

SWK200 Social Work Practice in Various Organisational Settings

Course Coordinator:Laura Dodds (ldodds@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

UniSC Fraser Coast

 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, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course, we will be shining a spot light on a different fields of practice each week to take a closer look at the different contexts, environments and fields you might work in. We will be hearing from practitioners in the field to take an inside look at what you might expect in different organisations and fields of practice, including practice theories and challenges as well as different organisational structures and presenting practice issues. The course has a strong critical social work focus.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online content 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Tutorials 2hrs Week 1 11 times
Online
Learning materials – online content 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – online tutorials 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

Throughout this course, we explore diverse practice fields within which social workers operate. These encompass areas such as alcohol and other drugs, the justice system, child and family services, working with older individuals, and addressing domestic and family violence.

Mature Content

Drug Use, Sex/Sexual references, Violence, Coarse Language, Adult themes

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

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 Review and critique theories, approaches, communication skills, and information relevant to working in human services and indicate how they condition social work practice Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical 
5, 6
2 Positively and constructively contribute critical perspectives during classroom and assessment activities that display a capacity to sustain focus, engagement, and verbal and nonverbal communication in busy and stimulated environments Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Communication
Collaboration 
5
3 Engage in effective professional dialogue with a diverse range of clients, consumers, and other stakeholders, taking into account their varying communication capacities and needs and working effectively with others in a team environment Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged
Communication
Collaboration
Problem solving
Organisation
Applying technologies
Information literacy 
4, 7
4 Apply initiative and judgement in planning, problem-solving, and decision-making, in addition to consulting with other professional practitioners who are contributing to the wellbeing of the people you serve and work with Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged
Communication
Collaboration
Problem solving 
6
5 Act collectively, as well as individually, to bring esteem to the profession through a common purpose of social justice and human rights, inclusion, and wellbeing for people Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Communication
Collaboration
Problem solving 
7

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Association of Social Workers
4 Practice Standard 4: Culture, identity and intersectionality
5 Practice Standard 5: Critical thinking in practice
6 Practice Standard 6: Exercising professional judgement
7 Practice Standard 7: Professional identity

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

SWK402

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback will be provided through the Quizzes

Assessment tasks

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 Quiz/zes Individual 30% 
3 online quizzes
60 minutes each
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Oral Individual and Group 35% 
15-20 minutes - in-class presentation.
 Week 7 In Class
All 3 Artefact - Creative, and Oral Individual 35% 
A 7–9-minute podcast episode
 Week 11 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Quizzes
Goal: 
This task will enable you to understand how various core concepts/processes canvassed in the lectures and course key readings inform practice.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
You will access and respond to the quizzes via Canvas. Quizzes may contain multiple-choice and/or short-answer questions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identification and/or application of core concepts and processes to practice situations
 2 4
2 
Description and application of effective responses to practice challenges & situations
 2 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 2:Group Case Presentation & Analysis
Goal: 
The goal of this task is for you to demonstrate you can identify and apply relevant social work concepts, values, questions and theories to a given practice/social issue, which are supported by relevant contemporary literature.
This task further requires you to demonstrate your oral communication and presentation skills as well as your group work and collaboration skills in accordance with the inherent academic requirements of this degree.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
In small groups, you will present an in-class oral and visual analysis of the chosen practice context/issue.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrated ability to review and critique theories, approaches, discourses and relevant information in relation to a specific social issue or practice area, including relevant and sufficient use of course and other literature to support discussion
 1 2 3 4 5
2 
Demonstrated critical and context-responsive analysis of social work practice, relevant to your presentation topic, drawing from relevant and sufficient use of course and other literature.
 1 2 3 4 5
3 
Demonstrated knowledge and exploration of practice challenges, including application of AASW code of ethics and values to practice. Discussions are supported by relevant and sufficient literature.
 1 4 5
4 
Displays originality, independence of thought, creativity, professionalism and the ability to engage your audience in your visual presentation.
 2 3
5 
Demonstration of clear, articulate, engaging and professional verbal expressions and communication skills during in-class verbal presentation.
 2 3
6 
Work effectively with others in a team environment
 2 3 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Individual Social/Practice Issue Artefact
Goal: 
This assessment provides students with an opportunity to critically examine contemporary organisational issues in social work practice and communicate their analysis through a creative medium. Students will demonstrate their capacity to apply theoretical knowledge, ethical reasoning, and reflective insight to real-world practice contexts, while developing professional communication skills relevant to diverse audiences.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Uploaded through Canvas
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identification and justification of relevant critical social work concepts, values and theories drawing from relevant and sufficient use of course and other literature to support and deepen reflection and analysis
 1 2 3 4 5
2 
Apply theory and knowledge of structural social issues and contexts and the role of social work within this context evidencing relevant and sufficient use of course and other literature to support and deepen reflection and analysis
 1 2 3 4 5
3 
Display originality, independence of thought, creativity, professionalism and the ability to engage your audience in your visual/audio presentation
 2 3
4 
Demonstration of clear, articulate, engaging and professional verbal expressions and communication skills
 2 3
5 
Advocate for and engage in practices to further human rights and social justice
 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Assessment to competency mapping

Programme Delivery Mode Assessment Type Title Competency Teaching Methods
Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS)
All delivery modes Artefact - Creative, and Oral Individual Social/Practice Issue Artefact 1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2 Taught, Practiced
3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4 Taught, Practiced
5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
9 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Oral Group Case Presentation & Analysis 1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2 Taught, Practiced
3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
9 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Quiz/zes Quizzes 1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2 Taught, Practiced
3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5 Taught, Practiced
6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed

Directed study hours

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.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

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.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Nil

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

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.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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