SOCWORK 721A/B : Theories and Skills in Social Work Practice
Education and Social Work
2023 Semester One (1233) / Semester Two (1235) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This interactive and dynamic course provides students with an understanding of a range of theoretical perspectives relevant to social work and how these translate to practice. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to implement different theories, skills and approaches through guided role play exercises. The lecturer(s) will provide real-time feedback to support and promote skill development and practice competency.
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
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of social work theories and evidence informed practice approaches. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-informed interventions to diverse areas of social work involving individuals, families and groups. (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)
- Demonstrate a good understanding of ethical social work processes relevant to a beginning-level of 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)
- Develop the skills necessary to engage in critical reflection on self and practice. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Critically evaluate their own culture, identity and positionality in relation to bi-cultural and cross-cultural practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. (Capability 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 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 |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Live role play | ||||||||||
| Case Studies | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
To pass this course you must attend a minimum of 80% of all scheduled activities in each semester, submit all assessments and achieve an overall minimum course mark of 50%.
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 that they are enrolled in.
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/or test 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 and/or test preparation per week.
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 block delivery of lectures for 721b of two full days per week for three weeks.
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 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 and will involve a discussion with the lecturers regarding suitability to continue in 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 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.