SOCWORK 721A/B : Theories and Skills in Social Work Practice

Education and Social Work

2020 Semester One (1203) / Semester Two (1205) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An in-depth examination of theoretical perspectives, skills and approaches in social work practice related to interpersonal work with individuals, families and groups living through challenging situations. Content will include a critical engagement with contemporary literature and the examination of evidence-informed interventions and critically reflective strategies that help guide professional practice in collaborative and safe environments.

Course Overview

This course provides students with the theoretical understanding of several theoretical perspectives relevant to social work and how these can be practised and implemented through the demonstration of these skills in live role plays. The course is interactive and dynamic between  the lecturers and the class. 

Course Requirements

To complete this course students must enrol in SOCWORK 721 A and B

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Integrate Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding from a range of social work theories and evidence informed practice approaches. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  2. Apply Students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge and evidence informed interventions to diverse areas of social work involving: individuals, families, groups, communities and organisations (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  3. Develop Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of ethical social work process in their developing practice (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  4. Apply Students will be able to examine and apply critical reflective skills to self and practice (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  5. Critically evaluate Students will be able to locate themselves culturally, and identify and develop knowledge, skills and values in terms of bi-cultural and cross cultural practice in Aotearoa New Zealand (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Live role play 60% Individual Coursework
Case Studies 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Live role play
Case Studies
There is a live role play and an assignment required for this paper. To pass this paper and to go on in SOCWORK 721B, students must achieve over 50% for the role play and hand in all assignments. 

Workload Expectations

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

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures and  tutorials, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 40 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation. Some weekly class time will be dedicated towards role play work but students are expected to practise these skills outside of class on an ongoing basis throughout the course.

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 at 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.

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.

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 13/12/2019 06:48 p.m.