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

Education and Social Work

2022 Semester One (1223) / Semester Two (1225) (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 worktheories 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 informedinterventions 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 workprocess 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 30% Individual Coursework
Case Studies 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 25% Group & Individual Coursework
Assignments 25% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Live role play
Case Studies
Assignments
Assignments

To pass this course you must submit all assessments and achieve an overall minimum course mark of 50%

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.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete components of the course.

The course will not include live online events.

The activities for the course are scheduled as weekly lectures for 721a and 2 day block delivery for 721b.

Learning 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.

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.

Other Information

Please note that for SOCWORK 721a and b, an 80% attendance is required in order for you to develop your knowledge of theory and practice skills. Attendance lower than this will jeopardise your ability to pass the paper and will involve a discussion with the lecturers for your suitability to continue on in the paper for the year.

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.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 09/11/2021 12:52 p.m.