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Course Outline

SWK407 Context Responsive Social Work Practice

Course Coordinator:Melissa Dor (mdor@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 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

This course invites you to understand and reflect on social work practice, and the implications these have for critically reflective and context responsive social work practice. You will build on, extend and apply previous knowledge to social work theory and practice processes, ethics, and legal and organisational dimensions of practice. You will investigate, critically reflect on, and articulate practice responses to complex scenarios. The course will develop your understanding and generic skills as a social work practitioner around practice in diverse and complex contexts.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Learning resources provided online 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus tutorial/workshop 2hrs Week 1 11 times
Online
Learning materials – Learning resources provided online 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online tutorial/workshop 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

Anti-oppressive ethical positionality and context responsive practice 

Nonviolence and ecojustice ethics 

Skills, strategies & processes around complexities in practice

Socio-political & legal contexts of practice

Organisational contexts of practice

Eco-social work

Social work practice with social justice at micro-messo-macro level 

Anti-oppressive leadership 

Self care, supervision and professional collaborations

[Mature content across all topics]

Mature Content

Violence, Adult themes

What level is this course?

400 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

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 Demonstrated and apply a comprehensive understanding of theoretical developments regarding social work practice in complex contexts Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
2 Identify and critically analyse complex and context specific aspects of practice scenarios from various perspectives (legal ethical, organisational), drawing on relevant theories, models, concepts and evidence. Ethical 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
3 Demonstrate and apply context responsive responses to complex client situations which reflect core social work values and processes Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Problem solving 
1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
4 Develop a critical, reflective and collaborative process for on-going context responsive practice Sustainability-focussed 
1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
5 Identify and critically engage with complexity located in your own practice experience Knowledgeable
Engaged
Communication
Problem solving 
1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
6 Demonstrate the ability to be an active learning and to engage in tutorial discussions and activities. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Collaboration 
9
7 Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others in a group environment and contribute to the group process. Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Collaboration 
7

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Association of Social Workers
1 Practice Standard 1: AASW Code of Ethics
2 Practice Standard 2: Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
3 Practice Standard 3: Human rights and social justice
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
8 Practice Standard 8: Professional supervision
9 Practice Standard 9: Professional growth

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

SWK201 or SWK301 or SWK300 and enrolled in Program AR303, AR362, AR363 or AR372

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Completion of at least one placement or prior field experience

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

Students can work on their assessments in allocated class times and receive feedback

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 Activity Participation Individual 10% 
11 tutorials
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual and Group 50% 
Group segment involves a 20 minute in tutorial presentation.
The written piece is to be 1,000 words in length.
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All 3 Report Individual 40% 
2500 words
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All - Assessment Task 1:Tutorial attendance and participation
Goal: 
Participation at tutorials is strongly advised as this will support your preparation for Task 2 and Task 3.
AASW external accreditation requires mandatory attendance for skills based tutorials. Students must attend weekly tutorials and actively participate in all tutorial activities.
Product: Activity Participation
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Tutorial attendance will be recorded to meet external AASW accreditation requirements. Student participation and engagement in tutorial activities is assessed based upon attendance and participation across 11 tutorials.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate the ability to be an active learning and to engage in tutorial discussions and activities.
 1 4 5 6
2 
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others in a group environment and contribute to the group process.
 3 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Applied Analysis
Goal: 
The goal of this assessment is to critically analyse a complex practice issue. You will consider institutional responses, systemic issues and social work ethics, focusing on dignity, justice, and accountability. Drawing on relevant professional frameworks and intervention methods, the analysis aims to explore the implications of these issues for practice, policy, and systemic reform.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
During tutorials, group: The presentation may use powerpoint, video or other format, and each student needs to demonstrate an active contribution to the presentation.
Reference list to be provided of sources drawn upon in the presentation and to be uploaded as part of the individual piece for each student.
Individual component involves a 1,000 word written statement with references, submitted on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of a developed ability to demonstrate how key concepts from the course inform a critical analysis of the justice issue.
 1 2 3 5
2 
Demonstrate a developed ability to articulate social work values and ethics, and show critical thinking and reflexivity in your arguments about the justice issue.
 1 2 3 5
3 
Demonstration of group work that aligns with social work values
 1 3 4 7
4 
Quality of presentation and academic skills and appropriate use of course references within the time limits and with accurate use of referencing guidelines - either Harvard or APA7.
 1 2 3 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Critical case analysis
Goal: 
The goal of this assessment is to conduct a critical analysis of a selected case, examining the ethical, legal, and systemic dimensions of the institutional response. The report aims to evaluate the case using relevant theoretical frameworks and professional standards, and to identify implications for practice, policy, and future responses in similar contexts.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Submit online via Canvas with a plagiarism check.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate capacity to identify significant contextual challenges and complexities faced by social workers.
 1 2 3 4 5
2 
Demonstrate a developed capacity to identify and explore relevant concepts from the course that inform context responsive and ethical practice.
 1 2 3 4 5
3 
Access and cite relevant literature, using both course and other materials, to justify your practice approach to the example across the various levels of practice.
 1 3 4
4 
Demonstrate a high level of communication skills, academic skills, including referencing using Harvard or APA.
 1 2 3 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 Activity Participation Tutorial attendance and participation 1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
8 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
9 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Oral and Written Piece Applied Analysis 1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
9 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Report Critical case analysis 1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
2 Taught, Assessed
3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
8 Taught, Assessed
9 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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