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

This subject is the capstone theory and practice subject in the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) course. It requires students to consolidate their knowledge and skills and to critically apply these in practice contexts to achieve systemic change across micro, mezzo and macro levels. Particular emphasis will be placed on social action and social movements. By the end of this subject, students will demonstrate advanced critically reflective practice and integration of theory and practice at the level of a new graduate. Students will develop and have an understanding of their professional identity as social workers. Students will apply high level skills in research that inform their practice. This subject draws together learning from across the entire course and integrates knowledge from many sources into a cohesive framework for practice, critical reflection and further research.

Availability

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

Session 2 (60)
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

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

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Students need to have successfully completed HCS507, HCS508 and HCS509 before enrolling into HCS511.

This subject is not available to students who have completed HCS400 or HCS504.

Prerequisites

HCS507 and HCS508 and HCS509

Subject Relationships

HCS507 Prerequisite Subject
HCS508 Prerequisite Subject
HCS504 Incompatible Subject
HCS509 Prerequisite Subject
HCS400 Paired Subject

Incompatible Subjects

HCS400, HCS504

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to identify and critically assess the role of the worker as change agent within organisations and other multilevel systems, including understanding change management processes, and how this can translate into professional practice through a synthesis of the scholarly literature;
  • be able to undertake independent research as a basis for social action and social movements for macro level practice and global citizenship, to facilitate systemic change;
  • be able to demonstrate a social work professional identity by arguing for particular values (as outlined by AASW), use of self, theoretical and skill-based approaches;
  • be able to integrate learning from across the course, through the use of independent research skills, critically reflective practice and the professional theory and evidence base to justify a coherent practice framework; and
  • be able to demonstrate the application of theory to practice through participation in face-to-face learning activities as per accreditation requirements.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Challenging organisational practice, including strategies for interprofessional practice, being a change agent and managing organisational change
  • Influencing systemic change within and between organisations, communities and government
  • Principles, knowledge and skills related to macro practice and global citizenship, with emphasis on social action, social movements and activism
  • Strategies for lifelong professional development, including critical 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 HCS511 in Session 2 2020. 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
Online skills-based learning attendance
0

Residential School

This subject contains a 5 day Compulsory Residential School.

The residential school will involve the students in interactive experiential learning activities, providing a safe environment in which to practice and develop their skills. It will provide specific lectures and opportunities for discussion and clarification of key concepts and processes. There will be individual and group activities, which will include the integration of research into practice.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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