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Unit of study_

SCWK6952: Critical Perspectives on Mental Health

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study introduces a range of perspectives and key contemporary debates in mental health policy and practice. Students develop knowledge relating to an ecological framework of mental health, statutory and professional power negotiated by social workers within the mental health field, social work advocacy in mental health policy and practice, and the importance of lived experience knowledge. Areas of mental health that are examined include psychosis, self-harm and suicidality, trauma and addiction, and child and adolescent wellbeing.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SCWK6952
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 Emma Tseris, emma.tseris@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Theory-practice essay
Analysis of the relationships between theory and practice.
45% Formal exam period
Due date: 03 Jun 2024 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Critical reflection
Visual representation and critical reflection essay
25% Week 06
Due date: 28 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5
Assignment group assignment Groupwork
Pamphlet, powerpoint slides, and in-class presentation
30% Week 12
Due date: 15 May 2024 at 23:59
1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Reflection: You are required to portray both your current knowledge and your learning goals, exploring your prior and current exposure to mental health concepts. You should identify the influences of professional knowledges, popular commentary and/or lived experiences. Draw on ideas from at least three set readings to strengthen your analysis of the knowledge, skills and experience that you bring to this unit of study and any potential gaps in knowledge. 
  • Groupwork: In small groups, choose a contemporary mental health awareness campaign to examine in detail.  Drawing on readings, analyse the strengths and limitations of your chosen campaign. Design a pamphlet that re-frames the campaign and is informed by critical mental health theories and provide up to 6 powerpoint slides on Canvas that briefly describes your critique of the original campaign, the rationale for your chosen approach and the evidence that supports your chosen approach. Groups will also present their work to the class.
  • Major essay: Offer a critical analysis of dominant and alternative paradigms of mental distress and the implications for social work practice, providing examples and analysis of readings from across Weeks 1-6. 

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Multiple and competing understandings of mental health; debates in diagnostic practices in mental health; social determinants of distress; a socio-political analysis of the mental health system. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Applying social and critical perspectives: (1) child and adolescent mental health; (2) whiteness in mental health. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Critical reflection and assignment preparation; engaging with the consumer/survivor movement. Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Competing perspectives on 'psychosis'; mental health policy in the Australian context. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Human rights in mental health; understanding self-harm and suicidality from a social perspective. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Debates in recovery and trauma-informed perspectives. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6

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 Reading List 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. analyse key contemporary debates in mental health policy and practice
  • LO2. demonstrate an ability to conceptualise mental distress through social and critical mental health perspectives
  • LO3. articulate complex practice issues relating to the statutory and professional power negotiated by social workers within the mental health field
  • LO4. identify opportunities for social work advocacy in mental health policy and practice
  • LO5. combine social work and critical theories, lived experience knowledge, and the contributions of the user-survivor movement into a transformed framework for mental health practice
  • LO6. critically reflect on your experience and knowledge of the mental health field, and identify areas for future development.

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.

Previous students spoke very positively about the creative assessments, and this approach has been taken again this semester.

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.