Studying online
There are now 3 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Units available in Online Restricted mode have been adapted for online study only for those students who require the unit to complete their studies and who are unable to attend campus due to COVID border closures. To be enrolled in a unit in Online Restricted mode, students should contact their Student Advising Office through askUWA and include which of the below criteria applies:
- You are a student who is currently offshore and unable to enter Australia.
- You are a student in Australia who is impacted by state or regional border closures.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Restricted to enrolment by students unable to attend campus due to COVID border closures. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.
SWSP5301 Foundations of Social Work Thinking and Identity
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Non-standard teaching period UWA (Perth) Face to face - 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.
- Co-requisites:
- Nil.
- Incompatibility:
- Nil.
- Contact hours
- 3 hours per week x 12 weeks
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.