SOCWORK 721A/B : Theories and Skills in Social Work Practice
Education and Social Work
2025 Semester One (1253) / Semester Two (1255) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This interactive and dynamic course places a strong emphasis on relational practice encouraging students to build meaningful connections that are inclusive and respectful of cultural and other forms of diversity. Students will explore a range of theoretical perspectives relevant to social work to help understand how theories apply to and shape practice. Students will reflect on their own cultural identities and biases, fostering a deeper understanding of how these influence their practice. Through guided role play exercises and real-time feedback, students will develop and refine their skills, promoting both practice competency and relational proficiency.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate ability to use active listening, empathy, and culturally responsive communication techniques to engage clients, build rapport, gather relevant information, and establish supportive and professional relationships. (Capability 3.2, 7.1 and 7.2)
- Demonstrate understanding of a range of social work theories and evidence informed practice approaches. (Capability 1.1, 2.2 and 3.1)
- Identify how theoretical knowledge and evidence-informed interventions are implemented in diverse areas of social work involving individuals, families and groups. (Capability 3.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Demonstrate a good understanding of ethical social work processes relevant to a beginning-level of practice. (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
- Develop the skills necessary to engage in critical reflection on self and practice. (Capability 3.3, 4.1, 5.2 and 7.2)
- Critically evaluate their own culture, identity and positionality in relation to bi-cultural and cross-cultural practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. (Capability 3.3, 7.2 and 8.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Practice Demonstration | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Practice Analysis | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Fit and Proper Assessment | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Reflection | 25% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Case Study | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Practice Demonstration | ||||||||||
| Practice Analysis | ||||||||||
| Fit and Proper Assessment | ||||||||||
| Reflection | ||||||||||
| Case Study | ||||||||||
To pass this course you must submit all assessents, achieve a minimum 50% pass for the Practice Demonstration assessment, and a minimum overall course mark of 50%.
Exam Mode
- There is no final exam for this course
Further information about exams can be found at https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/about-exams.html
Workload Expectations
Each semester is the equivalent of a standard 15-point course. Students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course in which they are enrolled.
For the first part of this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures and tutorials per week over 12 weeks, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 40 hours of work on assignments and assessment preparation. Some weekly class time will be dedicated to role-play practice but students are expected to practise these skills outside of class on an ongoing basis throughout the course.
For the second part of this course, you can expect 12 hours of lectures and tutorials per week over 3 weeks, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 40 hours of work on assignments per week.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete the required 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 block delivery of lectures for 721b of two full days per week for three weeks.
Learning Resources
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.
- Added a formative assessment to 721a
- Revised 721a content to increase the focus on Maturanga Māori subject matter
- Revised assessments for 721b to ensure the requirements and marking criteria are clear and accessible
- Revised reading list to match refreshed content
Other Information
Please note that a minimum of 80% attendance is required for SOCWORK 721a and 721b for students to develop knowledge of theory and practice skills. Attendance falling below this requirement will jeopardise the ability to pass the course. Students must also pass all assessment requirements for 721a to be eligible to progress into 721b.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
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 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.