Unit details

SWSP5301 Foundations of Social Work Thinking and Identity

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

If this unit does not have an online alternative, then students who are presently unable to enter Western Australia and whose studies would be delayed by an inability to complete this unit, should contact the unit coordinator (details given on this page) to ascertain, on an individual case-by-case basis, if alternate arrangements can be made to support their study in this unit.

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.

Content

Personal and professional values underpin the practice of social work and determine our responses to complex issues. This unit encourages students to integrate values in a framework that critically analyses the socio-political context in which social work exists. There is an emphasis on building theoretical knowledge of social work and developing cognitive skills for critical thinking, evaluation and practice-based research. Key aims of this unit include developing social work cognition, mindset and identity within the context of the historical and evidence-informed theories that relate to the profession.

Key objectives of the unit include:
- That students have a beginning understanding of the role of professional associations and the Code of Ethics that will guide their practice.
- Be familiar with, and able to engage in, informed debate about the value base and common assumptions that underpin the profession.
- Have a beginning understanding of some of the complex debate about methods, means and models that surround the profession.
- Be able to identify the complex, and sometimes apparently contradictory, value base of social work and other human services and to start to articulate this within the context of their own value base and ideology.
- Be able to identify and articulate how the role of a social worker may fit within the broader framework of human service delivery.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) critique the attitudes, ethics and values important to social work as determined by the Australian Association of Social Workers; (2) demonstrate the capacity to critically reflect on social work theory and practice issues; (3) analyse different issues, problems and dilemmas that confront social workers in the context of their daily practice; and (4) develop confident communication skills in both written and verbal formats in group and class settings.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written assignment; (2) test; and (3) professional behaviour assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Stephan Lund

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

enrolment in the Master of Social Work course.

Contact hours

3 hours per week x 12 weeks