Course Outline

SWK706 International and Global Social Work

Course Coordinator:Raj Yadav (ryadav@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2023Semester 2

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.

Please go to usc.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

Many issues that the world currently faces are related to international and global dimensions. It is thus necessary that social workers understand international and global aetiology or aspects. Hence, this course equips students with relevant knowledge and skills of international and global social work. It prepares them to critically comprehend and analyse international and global issues, organisations, and conventions and policies; and in doing all these, it most importantly engages students to propose social work interventions to address international and global issues.  

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – 13*1hr online learning 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – 13*2hrs on campus F2F workshops 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Online
Learning materials – 13*1hr Online learning 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – 13*2hr online workshop 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

  • Concepts and theories in international social work
  • Global context of social work and global social work organisations
  • Fields of internation social work
  • Regional perspectives in social work
  • Project development and intervention in international social work

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

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 Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Critically assess and explain theories and concepts underpinning the idea of international social work. Knowledgeable
2 Critically investigate the contemporary fields of international social work and apply international social work knowledge and skills innovatively to produce social work intervention in those fields. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
3 Identify international social work organisations and other relevant institutions involved in the international social work fields and critically evaluate their contributions Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

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

Enrolled in any PGRD Program

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

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

Assessment Task 1 will be used to provide early feedback on the understanding of course content.

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 20%
A 3-hours online quiz
Week 4 Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Artefact - Creative, and Oral Group 40%
A 20-minutes long in-workshop group presentation followed by maximum of 5 minutes Q&A
Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All 3 Written Piece Individual 40%
A 2000-word written piece excluding reference list.
Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Quiz
Goal:
The main goal of this task is to assess students’ understanding of the concepts and theories relevant to global and international social work.
Product: Quiz/zes
Format:
Students will undertake a multiple-choice quiz that will consist of 20 questions based on SWK706 readings and learning materials. This quiz will be time-bound. That is, once the students commence the quiz, they must finish within three hours. The quiz will be available on Canvas on Week 4.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Critically assess and explain theories and concepts underpinning the idea of international social work.
1
All - Assessment Task 2:Conference Style Group Poster Presentation
Goal:
This task aims to engage students in critical exploration of international issues in a chosen region through a poster presentation.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Oral
Format:
Building on already published materials, grey literatures, and other relevant and authentic sources, also known as secondary data analysis, students will research about an international issue prevalent in a chosen region. And then, they must produce a conference style poster and present it in a group of maximum 3-4 members during workshop. The total time for presentation will be maximum of 20 minutes followed by about 5 minutes of Q&A.
Their poster and presentation must include: (i) Background of an international issue in a chosen region, (ii) a brief justification why do they think the chosen issue is the subject-matter of international social work, (iii) questions that have guided them to explore about the chosen international issue in that particular region, (iv) their findings, (v) conclusion, and (vi) references. A further guideline on how to design a poster will be provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Ability to critically and comprehensively identify and articulate an international issue in a chosen region.
1
2
Ability to justify why the chosen issue is the subject-matter of international social work.
1 2 3
3
Ability to construct objective questions that guide them to explore about an international issue in a particular region.
1 2
4
Ability to creatively design a poster and deliver it using effective oral presentation skill.
1 2
All - Assessment Task 3:Individual Project Proposal
Goal:
This task aims to engage students to develop a project proposal intended to address an international issue in a particular region.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
Students explored about an international issue in a particular region in the Task 2. Drawing on this, students are required to develop a project proposal that, if implemented, will positively contribute to address the issue in that region. A detailed guideline on how to develop a project proposal will be provided on Canvas at the commencement of the course.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Ability to demonstrate critical comprehension of the international issue in the chosen region.
1 2
2
Ability to critically explain ‘why’ does the chosen issue exist in that region and ‘how’ this issue can be addressed from an international social work perspective.
1 2 3
3
Ability to develop project proposal that has potential to address the issue in the chosen region.
1 2 3
4
Ability to research and write in an academic manner.

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

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required David Cox,Manohar Pawar 2012 International Social Work 2nd ed. SAGE
Recommended Lynne M. Healy,Rosemary J. Link 2012 Handbook of International Social Work n/a Oxford University Press, USA

Specific requirements

Not applicable

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

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

Assessment: Submission penalties

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.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

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

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au