CONTACT CSU

HCS511 Social Work Theory and Practice 4- Macro Practice and Professional Identity (8)

Abstract

This subject is the final theory and practice subject in the Master of Social Work (professional qualifying) course. It requires students to critically apply practice methods to a range of social work contexts, with a particular focus on community work. By the end of this subject students will demonstrate advanced reflective practice and integration of theory and practice at the level of a new graduate.  Students will have an understanding and advanced development of their professional identity as social workers. Students will apply high level skills in research that inform their practice and to the development of new knowledge at the practice level. This subject draws together knowledge from the whole course and serves as a “capstone” subject for integrating knowledge from many sources into a cohesive framework for practice and further research.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
Distance*Wagga Wagga Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: HCS511
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Humanities and Social Sciences

Enrolment restrictions

Prerequisite(s)Incompatible subject(s)
HCS507HCS504

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • Critically apply community work principles to a range of social work contexts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how to work effectively with, and influence, organisational, community and systemic change in a range of situations.
  • Demonstrate critical application of a range of systemic interventions with individuals, couples, families, groups and communities across a number of social work contexts.
  • Demonstrate reflective practice and the ability to argue for a particular theoretical approach in a given situation in all the practice areas.
  • Outline and analyse the context of local, national and international communities and societies and demonstrate engagement with the idea of global citizenship.
  • Evaluate and explain the social impact of sustainability (environmental, social and financial) on social work practice and practice sustainability.
  • Apply practice research findings to situations across the micro, mezzo and macro levels that contribute to the development of new knowledge and enhanced outcomes.
  • Engage in praxis by interpreting and synthesising the nexus of theory and professional experiences and articulate how this relates to development of their professional identity.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Community work interventions with specific client groups and issues.
  • Advanced community development and capacity building in specific contexts including international, rural and remote and entrenched/enmeshed communities.
  • Influencing structural change within and between organisations, communities and government.
  • Professional practice with issues of gender, sexuality, race, spirituality, culture, class and violence.
  • Strategies for critical professional development: reflection in supervision, learning and practice and the use of research findings in practice.
  • Development of a professional identity through integration of professional practice, values and knowledge to ensure the student becomes a reflective practitioner and can identify and articulate their professional practice framework.

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 5 day residential school. The residential school will involve the students in interactive experiential learninig all basic skills and advanced skills in a safe envionment. It will provide specific lectures and opportunities for discussion and clarification of key concepts and processes. There will be individual and group activities to ensure that students have a clear understanding of the assessment process in preparation for their first practicum. Activities will include the integration of research into practice and the development of skills and values in developing thoery.  

Back

The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.