SWK501 Advanced Social Work Practice Theory (8)

This subject provides an opportunity for students to critically review a number of theories which currently influence social work practice, policy and research and reflect on the theories and values which influence their own practice and the settings within which they work. The subject aims to enhance understandings of practice knowledge, values and skill issues that arise in the tension between managerial and professional approaches, and other issues facing contemporary social work so that a more thoughtful and reflective practice base is attained.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: SWK501. 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 Social Work and Arts

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to apply principles and processes of reflection and critical reflection to their own professional practice experience;
  • be able to evaluate principles and processes of critical reflection in examining the role of theory in their own professional practice experience;
  • be able to assess contemporary organisational and socio-political contexts and examine contextual tensions in applying theory to practice; and
  • be able to apply principles and processes of critical thinking to identify and critique underpinning paradigms and practice theories in their own professional practice experience.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Principles and processes of critical thinking, reflection and critical reflection as a basis for examining the student's own practice
  • Contemporary organisational and socio-political contexts that have implications on theory and practice in social work
  • Critical examination of underpinning paradigms and practice theories in the student's own professional practice, and the relationship between policy, practice and research within these different constructions of knowledge
  • Critiquing the student's own preferred paradigms and practice theories, and relationships to the organisations within which they work

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of SWK501 in Session 1 2021. 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
Critical reflection paper
50
2
Critique of practice theory paper
50

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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