SCWK6943: Semester 2, 2020

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units SCWK6943 Semester 2 2020 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

SCWK6943: Practice Theory Development

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of a range of theoretical perspectives underpinning social work research and practice in a range of settings. This unit will offer students the opportunity to reflect upon the relative contributions of these perspectives towards achieving social justice, particularly with marginalised individuals and communities. Developing requisite knowledge, skills and values to engage in critically reflective social work research and practice is a core component of this unit. Students are encouraged to reflect upon and analyse research and practice through multiple lenses.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	SCWK6943
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 Heward-Belle, susan.hewardbelle@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Presentation of conference paper Oral presentation	10%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Podcast: Linking theory and practice - a beginner's guide Podcast	20%	Week 04	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Exploring theory in practice Written task	40%	Week 08	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Conference paper Written task	30%	Week 11	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Podcast: linking theory and practice – a beginner’s guide: Develop a podcast with a partner the focuses on a particular theory or perspective that currently informs social work practice or social work research. Outline the main contributions, key concepts and how they link to practice and/or research and critically examine the potential limitations. The podcast should include equal contributions from each author. Record your podcast using a phone, zoom or recoding device and save as an mp3 file.
Exploring theory in practice: Write a case example to illustrate the application of a critical theory and one other theoretical perspective to a particular issue in social work practice or social work research.
Conference paper: Choose one theoretical perspective or one theorist we have covered in class, which you haven’t written about in previous assessments. Develop a conference presentation discussing why this theorist or theory is important in social work practice or social work research.
Presentation of conference paper: Based on your conference paper submitted in Week 11, develop and deliver a 10 minute individual presentation outlining key points from your paper.

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 & Unit Overview	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Mountain Moving Theories 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Mountain Moving Theories 2	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Ecological Theories 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Ecological Theories 2	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Independent Work	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Onion Peeling Theories 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Onion Peeling Theories 2	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Faulty Engine Theories 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Faulty Engines Theories 2	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Story Telling Theories 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Developing practice theory and working with theory in practice	Seminar (2 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 through the Library eReserve, 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 the application of critical knowledge about social work theories and practices and to articulate the influence of the cultural, philosophical, ideological, practical, ethical, social and environmental context on theory and practice development
LO2. analyse and critique theories and perspectives underpinning social work practice in relation to their relative contributions towards achieving commonly articulated social work objectives
LO3. develop connections between social work theories, practices and research
LO4. use critical thinking and communication skills (recollection, comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation, justification and synthesis) in different social work related contexts
LO5. communicate in a professional and reflective manner and demonstrate the ability to use social work knowledge and skills
LO6. demonstrate a critical disposition.

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 is regularly reviewed and updated based upon student feedback collected through evaluation means including the University of Sydney USS surveys.

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect