SOCWORK 112 : Sociology for Human Services

Education and Social Work

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introducing the traditions of sociological analysis and its application to the human services. Key theory and theorists, the history of ideas and debates within sociology, and their relevance to practitioners' understanding of contemporary New Zealand society will be explored. A central theme is that a critical sociological imagination is essential for practitioners in social service settings.

Course Overview

In this course you will be invited to explore some different ways to think about the society we live in and why members of different groups within Aotearoa New Zealand might have quite different experiences of, and beliefs about, life in our society - including questions about structures of power and privilege, and the key social institutions that shape our lives. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Social Work

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Critically examine the relevance of sociological literature to topics and concerns in professional practice, especially in Aotearoa New Zealand (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  2. Interpret sociological theory and research, and apply this knowledge to the analysis of issues relevant to the human services (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 6.1 and 6.3)
  3. Analyse the relationship between the sociological imagination and professional practice in the human services (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 50% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3
Assignments
Final Exam

Students must complete all components of the Assessment Tasks to achieve an overall pass on this course. Completion to the satisfaction of the examiners: students must achieve at least 50% for the course and hand in all assignments.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course. On average, students are expected to spend 10 hours per week in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

A typical semester including the study/exam period totals approximately 15 weeks. This means that for this course you should expect to commit 36 hours to direct contact via on-campus lectures/workshops/tutorials.

You can also reasonably expect to commit approximately 100-120 hours to independent learning. This may include reading (and more reading), note-taking, face-to-face and/or online discussion, writing, engaging in collaborative group work, problem solving, undertaking practical tasks, reflecting on learning, accessing learning and study resources, and assignment, test and exam preparation and completion.

The course operates on a 'flipped classroom' model - meaning that students must complete the reading and view the online lecture materials before class each week. Classtime consists of workshop-type activities where students will work together to clarify and deepen understanding of the material.

Workshops are compulsory: in-class quizzes will be administered each week during the workshop. Those quizzes comprise 20% of the final grade. Students will be able to take those quizzes out of class time only with a valid medical certificate.

Delivery Mode

Learning Resources

Required text (available online): Cree, V.E. (2010) Sociology for social workers and probation officers (2nd ed). New York: Routledge.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 10/11/2020 02:01 p.m.