Available in 2024
Course code

SWRK4009

Units

20 units

Level

4000 level

Course handbook

Description

Each student undertakes independent research into a specialised area of social work policy practice and develops a body of work that incorporates a social work theory, practice, ethics, research and policy analysis. Course content includes:1. Historical, social, cultural and political influences on social policies, policy practice and social services, and contemporary policy initiatives.2. Social policy development processes, including analysing and debating social policy.3. Links between economics, law, politics and social policy.4. Ways in which policy and services address equality, social justice and human rights, including activism.5. How social work skills, practice, research and intervention methods are applied to policy practice.6. How to present written, oral and multimedia information to a target audience (including government submission, video, conference abstract, conference presentation, conference paper).


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Ourimbah

  • Semester 1 - 2024

Newcastle City Precinct

  • Semester 1 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the historical, social and political impacts on contemporary social policy, theories that inform policy practice, and the policy making process.

2. Critique the role of social workers in the policy process and social work skills related to policy practice.

3. Demonstrate an advanced and coherent theoretical and research knowledge of one issue or social problem pertinent to social work practice.

4. Demonstrate skills to prepare a body of work, including written and visual materials for commenting on, informing, and changing or promoting policy and or social change.


Content

Each student undertakes independent research into a specialised area of social work policy practice and develops a body of work that incorporates a social work theory, practice, ethics, research and policy analysis. Course content includes:

  1. Historical, social, cultural and political influences on social policies, policy practice and social services, and contemporary policy initiatives.
  2. Social policy development processes, including analysing and debating social policy.
  3. Links between economics, law, politics and social policy.
  4. Ways in which policy and services address equality, social justice and human rights, including activism
  5. How social work skills, practice, research and intervention methods are applied to policy practice.
  6. How to present written, oral and multi-media information to a target audience (including government submission, video, conference abstract, conference presentation, conference paper).

Review of Progress

This course is a compulsory program requirement and is monitored for academic progress purposes. The course must be completed to progress in the program or meet other program requirements.

Failure or withdrawal from this course will result in students being considered under the Student Academic Progress Procedure.


Requisite

To enrol in this course students must be active in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) (12317), and have successfully completed SWRK3002 and SWRK4500.


Assumed knowledge

SWRK3300, SWRK3007, SWRK3002, SWRK3005


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Government submission

Project: Group project (formative)

Presentation: Research presentation

Presentation: Conference presentation

Written Assignment: Journal article


Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Ourimbah

Forum-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 days per week for 1 week(s) starting in week 14
  • Social Work Conference held at NuSpace across 2 days in week 14
Lecture-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Workshop-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1

Semester 1 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Forum-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 days per week for 1 week(s) starting in week 14
  • Social Work Conference held at NuSpace across 2 days in week 14
Lecture-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Workshop-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1

Course outline