Outline

Overview

This unit provides an introduction to human services in Australia. It will provide insights into the historical and contemporary characteristics of the human service sector, including the challenges posed by marketization, professionalization and neoliberalism for addressing human needs in different fields of practice. The unit introduces foundational knowledge and skills needed to work in human service organisations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Social Work
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sacha Jamieson, sacha.jamieson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Organisational Analysis, worker interview and class presentation Group project over semester. Groups will present their work in tutorials in weeks 10 and 11.	30%	Multiple weeks	1500 word equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Minute paper Critical reflection on week 1-3 in short-answer format	5%	Week 03 Due date: 23 Aug 2026 at 23:59	200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Critical Reflection Critically reflection paper integrating learning from week 4-7, including class participation activities.	30%	Week 07 Due date: 20 Sep 2026 at 23:59	1400 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Final essay Critical analysis of human services including implications for social work practice.	35%	Week 12 Due date: 01 Nov 2026 at 23:59	1400 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Minute paper. This is an 'Early Feedback Task'. Students will write a critical reflection on their learning in week 1-3 in short-answer format.
Critical Reflection. Paper assessing learning in weeks 4-7. The aim of this reflective essay is to demonstrate your learning and engagement with the unit.
Organisational analysis. This is a group work project. Your group will be allocated a human service organisation and undertake a detailed analysis including: mapping; interviewing; and assessment. Groups will submit their work as a class presentation in weeks 10 and 11.
Final essay. Critical analysis of human services including implications for social work practice.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 1 – Human Services: What are they, why are they, and where are we now?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Module 1 – Human Services: What are they, why are they, and where are we now?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Module 2 - Funding models and organisational structures	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Module 2 - Funding models and organisational structures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Module 3 – Who is listened to? Disrupting dominant discourses in the human services	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Module 3 – Who is listened to? Disrupting dominant discourses in the human services	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Module 4 – Deinstitutionalisation, Disability, and the NDIS: Disrupting dominant discourses in the human services	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Module 4 – Deinstitutionalisation, Disability, and the NDIS: Disrupting Dominant Discourses in human services	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Module 5 – 'Help Seeking'. Disrupting dominant discourses in the human services	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Module 5 – 'Help seeking'. Disrupting dominant discourses in the human services	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Module 6 – People, systems, power: examples of social work practice in the service system	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Module 6 – People, systems, power: examples of social work practice in the service system	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Module 7 – People, systems, power: examples of social work practice in the service system	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Module 7 – People, systems, power: examples of social work practice in the service system	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Module 8 - People, systems, power- examples of social work practice in the service system	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Module 8 - People, systems, power- examples of social work practice in the service system	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Module 9: Group Project	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	No lectures and tutorials this week - your group will be interviewing your allocated social worker during this week. Time has been allocated for this instead of lectures and tutorials.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Module 10 –Imagining a different world. Changing boundaries/focus.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Class Presentations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Module 11- Imagining a different world. Changing boundaries/focus.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Class Presentations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Module 12: Integration of learning	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Knowledge sharing and what have we learned this semester?	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings and detailed weekly modules provided via Canvas site

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. identify key theories, developments and debates in the human services sector
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the role of human service workers
LO3. undertake a human service organisational analysis
LO4. critically analyse the impact of current policy and practice developments on service users and human service workers.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is updated every year in response to teacher and student feedback.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SCWK1002: Introduction to Human Services

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links