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Unit of study_

SCWK6023: Practice with Indigenous Australians

Semester 2a, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit provides an insight into and understanding of the application of social work practice within an Indigenous context. It will explore the multidimensional social and societal issues impacting on the lives of First Nations Australians and it will assist students in developing the mechanisms and skills necessary to work effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Individuals, Families and Communities. It will bring to the forefront Indigenous specific Knowledge systems and social work practice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SCWK6023
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 Mareese Terare, mareese.terare@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Media Analysis
Succinct presentation historical and social context of report/article.
20% Week 05
Due date: 10 Sep 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 10 Sep 2021
7 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment Cultural Safey Strategy
Presentation re development of Cultural Safe strategies to manage racism.
40% Week 06
Due date: 17 Sep 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 17 Sep 2021
20 minutes Group Presentaion
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment Integrated Literature Review
Integrated Literature Review
40% Week 09
Due date: 10 Oct 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 24 Oct 2021
3000 Word
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Group assignment with individually assessed component = group assignment with individually assessed component ?

Assessment summary

  • Integrated literature review: This integrated literature review is designed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate comprehension, capacity and analytical skills to consider the concepts presented and developed in the unit at a post graduate level. The integrated literature review will provide a critical analysis and synthesis of (minimum four) articles from the reading list. The student will identify emerging information and apply to policy frameworks.
  • Development of cultural safety strategy and group presentation: Referring to the a given scenario you are a manager of this agency. You were unaware of cultural blindness and underpinning racist ideas within the Team. You decide to provide cultural safety information to the team.
  • Media analysis: Students will be required to research and discuss media report (written or television) that discusses Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There will be time set aside during each session for you to present your findings. 

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.

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 UOS introduction - International rights of Indigenous Peoples; cultural humility, cultural safety and Australian first nations worldviews Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 02 Social and emotional wellbeing - manifestation of grief and loss: country, belief, culture and spirituality Block teaching (4 hr) LO2 LO3
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the criminal justice system Block teaching (4 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 04 Child protection issues and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Extent of interpersonal violence within Aboriginal communities Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 06 Frameworks: cultural humility & cultural safety presentations Block teaching (4 hr) LO2 LO3

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 through the Library eReserve, available on 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. critically analyse and review Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the health, housing, criminal justice and child protection systems
  • LO2. identify and explain policy and practice frameworks that support human rights of Australian First Nations peoples
  • LO3. develop skills and knowledge to practice within culturally safe and secure dimensions
  • LO4. conceptualise and articulate critical race theory and the consequences of white privilege on historical and current social policy and social work practice.

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.

No changes

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.