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Unit of study_

SCWK3008: Professional Practice

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

In this unit of study students are asked to imagine themselves as emerging social worker practitioners. The unit of study provides an introduction to the diversity of social work practice and aims to develop the capability of students to practise generic skills needed in the field. It addresses the theory-practice relationship and provides students with opportunities to engage with reflexive practice. There is an emphasis on understanding social work values and the fundamentals of ethical practice. Students are encouraged to recognise and build upon skills and knowledge they already have, and to develop their capabilities for acquiring further knowledge and skills.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SCWK3008
Academic unit Social Work
Credit points 8
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
96 credit points including (KOCR2600 or KOCR2603 or SCWK2009), and SCPL2601 and (SCWK2006 or SCLG2602) and ((two of SCWK2004 or SCWK2005 or SCWK2007 or SCWK2008) or (12 intermediate credit points from Psychology))
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Interview Analysis
Critically analyse your 10 minute interview conducted in week 3
15% Please select a valid week from the list below 800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Assignment Photovoice Journal
Portfolio with 6 photovoice journal entries
20% Progressive 1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration Interprofesssional Learning Activity
Case Review with Occupational Therapy Students.
10% Week 05 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO7
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Interview skills
10 minutes recorded interview
5% Week 05
Due date: 01 Apr 2021 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Creative assessment / demonstration group assignment Group work skills
simulated learning activity
10% Week 09 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO5
Assignment hurdle task Social Work Report
Social Work Report
20% Week 10 1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Small test hurdle task Ethical Case Scenario
questions & short answers
20% Week 12 60 min plus 1500wd equiv.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Interview Skils Demonstration: This task requires you  to create a 10 minute recording of an interview you will role play with another student and then analyse the interview.
  • Group Work Skill Demonstration:  you will work with a small group  of peers to explain in class an aspect related to the delivery a group work program. 
  • Interprofessional Learning Activity: You will be assessed according to your participation in a simulated activty conducted over weeks 4&5.  This assessment is graded as a pass or fail.
  • Photovoice Journal: This is a progressive assessment activity  Every two weeks you will be requried to submit a journal entry made up of a photo and short reflection (6 entries in total)
  • Social work report: This assessment requires the
  • Ethics exam:  You will be required to ethically discern a case scenario thorugh a question and short answer format.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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 Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Professional Practice Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 02 Becoming an effective communicator Workshop (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 03 Engagement and Interviewing Skills Workshop (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Meet the Client Simulation laboratory (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 05 Interprofessional Practice Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Documenting Practice Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Professional Writing Skills Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Working with communities and groups Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Planning & facilitating a Group Workshop (4 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 10 Field Placement Visit Field trip (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Ethical Decision making in Practice Workshop (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Navigating an Ethical Dilemma Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided on Canvas.

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 8 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 160-200 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas

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.

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

  • LO1. Recognise the diversity of the social work practice in contemporary contexts
  • LO2. Develop critical reflection skills and demonstrate application of these skills in classroom activities and assessment tasks
  • LO3. Articulate and apply the values and ethics underpinning social work
  • LO4. Demonstrate the capacity to identify and apply theory and prior learning to social work practice
  • LO5. Develop and demonstrate professional communication skills (interpersonal and written).
  • LO6. Understand and develop basic competencies in working with groups/communities.
  • LO7. Learn about working as a social worker with other professionals

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Assessment schedule and learning format have been changed based on student feedback, teaching teams evaluation and consultation with the Learning and Teaching Unit.

Work, health and safety

When undertaking field visits, students are expacted to wear smart casual attire.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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