SCWK6052: Semester 2b, 2025

Units SCWK6052 Semester 2b 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

SCWK6052: Community and Environmental Change

Semester 2b, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This units explores social and environmental justice. It focuses on policies and practices that support collective action in the context of climate change. Students will have the opportunity to connect and build theoretical insights with practical real world actions. This unit is suitable for practitioners from a range of disciplines, including social work, seeking to work more effectively with communities.

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	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Margot Rawsthorne, margot.rawsthorne@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 3 October 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Creative work	Multi-media production Students will work in small groups to produce a podcast exploring climate and social justice theories	35%	Week 07 Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 10:00 Closing date: 28 Sep 2025	1x2000wd equiv. multi-media task	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Community action plan Students will participate in experiential learning assessment and write an individual blog post reflection	35%	Week 09	Equiv. 1x2000wd experiential learning	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Policy submission Students will write a policy submission on a key climate related challenge facing their local community to relevant agencies (eg. local government; EPA; Reconstruction Authority).	30%	Week 12	1x2000wd policy submission	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

1x2000wd equiv. multi-media task (35%) [Students will work in small groups to produce a podcast exploring climate and social justice theories]

1x2000wd experiential learning assessment exercise and reflection (35%) [Students will participate in experiential learning assessment and write an individual blog post reflection]

1x2000wd policy submission (30%) [Students will write a policy submission on a key climate related challenge facing their local community to relevant agencies (eg. local government; EPA; Reconstruction Authority).]

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.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Faculty Late Penalty Policy applies

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 05	Justice for earth and all who live here Locating ourselves in the world Social work responsibilities in a time of climate change	Block teaching (4 hr)
Week 06	Changing climate - connecting big picture policy with local change Working with Communities theory and practice - introducing the Dimensions that support Community Action community development framework Complexity thinking and action Understanding dynamic systems in communities	Block teaching (4 hr)
Week 07	Working on group project(s)	Block teaching (4 hr)
Week 08	From the global to the local; examples of localised actions to adapt to climate change	Block teaching (4 hr)
Week 09	Creating change	Block teaching (4 hr)
Week 10	Future thinking and action in social work practice	Block teaching (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

90% attendance is required. The possibility of a field trip will be explored with students to visit sites that involved community action on climate change.

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

Please see canvas site for details.

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. Engage with key theoretical ideas and debates focused on climate change and social justice
LO2. Demonstrate a high level of understanding of social and climate justice practice
LO3. Design student-led collective action that demonstrates critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and inventiveness informed by community development principles and climate justice
LO4. Critically analyse and contribute to debates concerning future directions in collective responses to climate change, including your own

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 is the first time this unit has been offered. It is a bringing together of two previous courses that dealt separately with community development and environmental social work. Active student feedback will be sought throughout the unit to inform development into the future.

Additional information

Additional costs

Possible travel costs to sites

Site visit guidelines

To be advised.

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

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

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links