HCS400 Social Work Theory and Practice 4 - Macro Practice and Professional Identity (8)

This subject is the final theory and practice subject in the Bachelor of Social Work courses. It requires students to critically apply practice methods to a range of social work contexts with a particular emphasis on community work. By the end of this subject, students will demonstrate reflective practice and integration of theory and practice at the level of a new graduate. Students will have an understanding and beginning development of their professional identity as social workers. 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.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Dubbo Campus
Port Macquarie Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: HCS400. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Students need to have successfully completed HCS200, HCS202 and HCS300 before enrolling into HCS400.

This subject is not available to students who have completed subject HCS511 or HCS405.

Prerequisites

HCS200 and HCS202 and HCS300

Subject Relationships

HCS405 Incompatible subject
HCS511 Paired Subject
HCS202 Prerequisite subject
HCS200 Prerequisite subject
HCS300 Prerequisite subject

Incompatible Subjects

HCS405, HCS511

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to critically apply community work principles to social work practice;
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to undertake macro level practice to effectively facilitate community and systemic change;
  • be able to participate in face-to-face learning activities as per accreditation requirements;
  • be able to demonstrate a social work professional identity by arguing for professional values, use of self, theoretical and skills-based approach; and
  • be able to integrate learning from across the course, through using critically reflective practice to justify a coherent practice framework.

Syllabus

This 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
  • Strategies for critical professional development: reflection in supervision, learning and 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

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of HCS400 in Session 2 2019. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Multiple choice quiz
10
2
Online open book exam
40
3
Practice framework discussion
50
4
Compulsory on-campus attendance

Residential School

This subject contains a 5 day Compulsory Residential School.

The residential school will involve the students in interactive experiential learning all basic skills in a safe environment. It will provide specific lectures and opportunities for discussion and clarification of key concepts and processes. 

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: October 2020. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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