SWTP101 to SWTP107

SWTP101 Introduction to Social Work                                                                                                 10 cp

Prerequisites Nil

Teaching Organisation A variety of teaching and learning strategies such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, WebCT and self-directed packages may be utilised.

This unit introduces students to a range of social, political and economic frameworks for understanding how problems are socially constructed. It provides an understanding of what social policy is, and how different social policy responses are developed in relation to changing conceptions of social ‘problems’. In particular it examines the impacts of globalisation, rapid technological change and increasing social diversity over the past thirty years on different sections of society. The unit also explores the history of the social work profession and the different forms it has taken in response to prevailing social and economic transformations. Three different human services contexts are examined in more depth to help students gain an understanding of the diverse and dynamic nature of social work.

SWTP102 Social Work across the Life Span                                                                                        10 cp

Prerequisites Nil

Teaching Organisation A variety of teaching and learning strategies such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes WebCT and self-directed packages may be utilized to introduce and explore theory and practice of social work.

This unit explores various theories of human development and behaviour and integrates this with some of the more common problems confronted by social workers working with individuals at various stages of the life cycle. As such, it provides an understanding of the person-in-environment, a concept central to social work. The curriculum draws on the socio-ecological concepts of interaction of the person and the environment. The environment provides opportunities, constraints, supports and risks for the individual and each of these factors are broad areas for intervention for social work. Knowledge is drawn from other disciplines to provide the beginning practitioner with a deeper and broader understanding of the individual and society and the ability to apply the concepts to assessment and intervention in social work practice.

SWTP103 Social Work Field Placement 1                                                                                           20 cp

Prerequisites SWTP101 Introduction to Social Work, SWTP105 Theoretical Frameworks for Social Work Practice, SWTP107 Social Work Practice with individuals Theory

Teaching Organisation Seminars, field practicum.

Field Placement provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills, to test out the propositions gained from other units, and to incorporate new knowledge from their field placement experience. Field Placement is the arena in which students can test their knowledge and skills, and challenge theories and social work approaches in agency, organisational and community settings.

SWTP104 Social Work and Law                                                                                                          10 cp

Prerequisites Nil

Teaching Organisation A variety of teaching and learning strategies such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes and self-directed packages may be utilized to introduce and explore theory and practice of social work.

The purpose of the subject is to provide students with the opportunity to explore ways in which the legal system may influence and interact with social work practice. The legal system impinges on practice in terms of regulations and expectations of professional practice and enshrines in legislation practices for particular areas of social work (for example, child abuse, juvenile justice, family law, immigration). Students are expected to develop an understanding of key laws relevant to social work practice, along with an appreciation of the impact of the legal system on clients and its implications for social work practice in different fields. The skills component includes skill practice related to work in legal settings, courts and tribunals; an introduction to mediation and social work practice with vulnerable populations.

SWTP105 Theoretical Frameworks for Social Work Practice                                                              10 cp

Prerequisites Nil

Teaching Organisation A variety of teaching and learning strategies such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, WebCT and self-directed packages may be utilized to introduce and explore theory and practice of social work.

The purpose of this unit is to provide students with a critical understanding of the major current theoretical frameworks for social work practice with an emphasis on application of critical analysis of the purpose, theories, values, and ethics for social work practice. The theoretical frameworks considered will include critical theory, structural, systems and ecological approaches and other current theories relevant for social work intervention in various fields and modes of practice.

SWTP106 Social Work and Mental Health                                                                                           10 cp

Prerequisites SWTP105 Theoretical Frameworks for Social Work Practice

Teaching Organisation A variety of teaching and learning strategies such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes and self-directed packages may be utilized to introduce and explore theory and practice of social work.

The purpose of this unit is to give students the opportunity to explore and critically analyse social work practice in the specific area of mental health. The unit provides a theoretical perspective (a socio-ecological perspective) in which to analyse the development of social work practice in this area and utilises current literature and research to highlight the essential elements of knowledge, practice and skill in current mental health practice settings. Key concepts are explored, as is the prevalence of mental illness and inequalities in mental health. Practice issues related to adults, children and young people with mental disorders and for particular populations including Indigenous Australians and migrants and refugees are also identified. Clinical practice with a number of mental disorders including adult depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia is outlined.

SWTP107 Social Work Practice with Individuals                                                                                 10 cp

Prerequisites Nil

Co-requisite SWTP105 Theoretical Frameworks for Social Work Practice

Teaching Organisation A variety of teaching and learning strategies such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, skills practice classes and self-directed packages may be utilized to introduce and explore the practice of social work with individuals.

The purpose of this unit is to provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in social work practice with individuals. Various theories and frameworks for practice will be critically reviewed with opportunities for skill development in social work practice with individuals from diverse backgrounds. The experiential component will provide practice in interpersonal communication skills and knowledge about use of self in practice through small group activities and individual tasks.