SCWK5010: Semester 1, 2020

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units SCWK5010 Semester 1 2020 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

SCWK5010: Social Work Practice

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit of study addresses the theory-practice relationship and provides students with opportunities to engage with reflexive practice. It provides an introduction to the diversity of the professional practice of social work and aims to develop the capability of students to practise generic skills in social work practice and policy. 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. While applicable in all fields of practice, experiential class exercises will focus on core fields of practice in CALD and Indigenous communities.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	SCWK5010
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	Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Francis Duffy, francis.duffy@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
In-semester test	Ethical decision-making	20%	- Due date: 13 Mar 2020 at 23:00 Closing date: 13 Mar 2020	1000
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Social Work Theory presentation on a social work theory	10%	-	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Communication assignment Interview undertaken week 4	35%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Apr 2020 at 23:00	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment report Written task	35%	Week 08 Due date: 23 Apr 2020 at 23:00	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Communication assignment: This assessment will give students the opportunity to practise some of the communication and interviewing skills discussed in class as well as critically reflecting on their use of these skills. This task requires the student to produce a 15 minute video of an interview with a volunteer interviewee. It also involves an analysis of the interview.
Assessment report: This assessment entails students writing an Individual Assessment Report. A Case Study will be distributed for students to write a social work assessment report.
Ethical decision making (take home) exam: Students will be provided with a Case Scenario requiring ethical decision making. You are required to identify the ethical issues within the Case Scenario, identify the ethical framework you are employing and then outline the process of decision making.

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	Introduction to Social Work Practice	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 02	Social work knowledge, theory and practice	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 03	Critical reflection and ethical decision-makng	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 04	Working with individuals (interpersonal communication and assessment skills)	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 05	Working with communities (group work skills)	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 06	Advocacy & documenting social work practice	Workshop (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. understand the diversity of the professional practice of social work in its historical and contemporary contexts
LO2. learn about major social work theories and be able to identify how they are reflected and embodied in social work practice.
LO3. develop and demonstrate competencies in professional social work communication skills (interpersonal and written)
LO4. understand social work values, theories of ethics and the fundamentals of ethical practice
LO5. develop and demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on your learning and skills.
LO6. understand principles underpinning working with diverse groups and communities and demonstrate cultural humility

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.

Changes to this unit of Study based on student feedback, the teaching team's evaluation and consultation with the University's Learning and Teaching Unit.

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

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect