SCWK5009: Intensive May, 2021

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Units SCWK5009 Intensive May 2021 [Block mode]

Unit of study_

SCWK5009: Poverty and Social Exclusion

Intensive May, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Overview

This unit of study highlights key contextual theoretical and practice issues for social work. It introduces the historical and contemporary role of social work in assessing and addressing poverty, inequality and social disadvantage. Students will be introduced to theories of social justice, the welfare state, social policy development and social change. The unit also provides knowledge about key groups in Australian society who are most affected by poverty and social exclusion such as Indigenous Australians, unemployed people, young people who are disconnected from family, people with disabilities, low income families, migrants and refugees and older people. Students will engage critically with policy and practice responses to poverty and social exclusion and local national and global levels.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	SCWK5009
Academic unit	Social Work
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Susan Goodwin, susan.goodwin@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Core Concepts Quiz Students are required to complete a quiz in relation to the Core Concepts	30%	Week 04	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Achieving policy change/challenging social exclusion oral presentation	30%	Week 06	1500 words equiv.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay: Theory and Practice Students are required to write a scholarly essay linking to theory.	40%	Week 08	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Core concepts quiz: Students are required to complete an online quiz in relation to the core concepts for this unit of study.
Achieveing policy change/challenging social exclusion: Students will work in small groups focusing either on a specified topic in relation to poverty or social exclusion. Each group will produce a briefing paper on their topic and present to their tutorials in the final week. The aim of the presentation is to inform and influence others to take action.
Essay – theory and practice: Students are required to write a scholarly essay drawing on their experience in the group project. Students are required to link their experiences and reflections to the literature provided throughout the course and beyond. A specific focus on the role of social work profession and their own social work practice in achieving policy change is required.

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 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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Social Work, Social Justice and Social Policy	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 02	1. Understanding poverty; 2. The measurement debate; 3. Absolute and relative poverty/subjective and objective poverty	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 03	1. Understanding social exclusion: concepts, measures and interventions; 2. Social inclusion and social cohesion: understanding spatial inequality	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 04	Responses to poverty and social exclusion: the opportunities and constraints for social work 1	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 05	Responses to poverty and social exclusion: the opportunities and constraints for social work 2	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 06	Achieving policy change/challenging social exclusion	Seminar (4 hr)

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 in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

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. demonstrate knowledge of the major debates in the history of social work and social policy approaches to poverty and social exclusion
LO2. demonstrate knowledge of the institutional frameworks of Australian social work, including an understanding of the legal, administrative, financial and organisational arrangements relating to poverty and social exclusion
LO3. engage critically with the opportunities and constraints experienced by the social work profession and individual social workers in achieving policy change or challenging social exclusion
LO4. undertake a critical analysis of a broad range of contemporary policy problems and demonstrate skills in working in small groups to achieve social change
LO5. demonstrate skills in linking experience with scholarship.

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 has been updated to reflect emerging social work and social policy issues.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

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