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Search : Index : Faculty of Arts
Subject Lists
Bachelor of Social Work subjects
Fourth year subjects
The Melbourne School of Social Work is the leading provider of social work professional education in Victoria. Melbourne is the longest established School of Social Work in the state and has strong partnership links with major health and social welfare agencies, such as the Royal Children's Hospital and Anglicare. A wide range of field-work placement opportunities is available for students in challenging areas such as child and family welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, aged care, rehabilitation and health. Teaching in the Bachelor of Social Work course is informed by a substantial research program and is enhanced by cutting-edge educational developments in multimedia and experiential learning. The School's extensive postgraduate program offers many opportunities for life-long professional learning as a social worker. Melbourne Bachelor of Social Work students are keenly sought by human service agencies and are quickly employed upon graduation.
Students should note that only the following five subjects are available for credit towards the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Letters courses:
All other social work subjects are exclusively available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work course.
BSW students will:
seek to develop their practice within the framework of social work's commitment to the empowerment of individuals, groups and communities;
be able to articulate their values within the broad social context;
be able to work with conflict of values;
understand the implicit value underpinnings of the broader social institutions as well as the ethics of social work practice as expressed in the Australian Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics.
Theory
BSW students will develop an understanding of:
the historical and current debates in the development of welfare provisions and of social work in Australia and overseas;
the political economy of Australia as the context within which the social welfare legislation, policies and issues develop, compared with the political economy of other countries;
the fields of service within which social work operates and the client dilemmas and issues within such fields of service;
social and community service organisations, their management and the relationship between their practice and social policy formulation;
theories of human growth and development;
the characteristics and social contexts of the different target groups with which social work is concerned;
the theory and practice of social work with individuals, families, groups and communities;
the processes of social research and the theories of knowledge on which these rest.
Practice
The BSW endeavours to develop in students the ability to:
practise social work in such areas as social administration, policy formulation, social action, program planning, community organisation, group work, family work and individual casework;
acquire a range of interactional and analytical skills within the breadth of social work roles such as caseworker, advocate, mediator, activist, negotiator, service provider, policy analyst and so on;
articulate clearly the distinct nature and scope of the social work profession;
understand the obligations of work in statutory and non-statutory agencies, including working with involuntary clients within the legislative framework;
evaluate their own practice and perform practice-based research in all areas of social work.
| First year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-003 Theorising Social Inequality | 12.5 | |
| 196-001 Human Behaviour and Social Environment 1 | 12.5 | |
| 196-011 The Legal Context of Human Services | 12.5 | |
| 196-007 Professional Practice Laboratory | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-004 Contemporary Social Policy | 12.5 | |
| 196-002 Human Behaviour and Social Environment 2 | 12.5 | |
| 196-015 Social Work Practice with Communities | 12.5 | |
| 196-022 Social Work Practice with Groups | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Total Points | 100 points | |
| Second year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-005 Social Work Theory & Practice 1 | 12.5 | |
| 196-008 Supervised Professional Practice 1A# | 12.5 | |
| 196-012 Organisational Contexts of Practice | 12.5 | |
| 196-019 Practice with Diverse Populations | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-006 Social Work Theory & Practice 2 | 12.5 | |
| 196-010 Fields of Social Work Practice A | 12.5 | |
| 196-023 Supervised Professional Practice 1B# | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Total Points | 100 points | |
| Third year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-016 Practice with Individuals and Families | 12.5 | |
| 196-009 Social Work Practice Research | 12.5 | |
| 196-018 Fields of Social Work Practice B | 12.5 | |
| 196-017 Supervised Professional Practice 2A# | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-013 Advanced Practice Methods Laboratory | 12.5 | |
| 196-014 Social Work Programming | 12.5 | |
| 196-024 Supervised Professional Practice 2B# | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Total Points | 100 points | |
| First year (accelerated) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-003 Theorising Social Inequality | 12.5 | |
| 196-001 Human Behaviour and Social Environment 1 | 12.5 | |
| 196-005 Social Work Theory & Practice 1 | 12.5 | |
| 196-007 Professional Practice Laboratory | 12.5 | |
| 196-012 Organisational Contexts of Practice | 12.5 | |
| 196-008 Supervised Professional Practice 1A# | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 75 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-004 Contemporary Social Policy | 12.5 | |
| 196-002 Human Behaviour and Social Environment 2 | 12.5 | |
| 196-006 Social Work Theory & Practice 2 | 12.5 | |
| 196-010 Fields of Social Work Practice A | 12.5 | |
| 196-023 Supervised Professional Practice 1B# | 25 | |
| Sub total | 75 points | |
| Total Points | 150 points | |
| Second year (accelerated) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-016 Practice with Individuals and Families | 12.5 | |
| 196-009 Social Work Practice Research | 12.5 | |
| 196-011 The Legal Context of Human Services | 12.5 | |
| 196-019 Practice with Diverse Populations | 12.5 | |
| 196-018 Fields of Social Work Practice B | 12.5 | |
| 196-017 Supervised Professional Practice 2A# | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 75 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-014 Social Work Programming | 12.5 | |
| 196-015 Social Work Practice with Communities | 12.5 | |
| 196-022 Social Work Practice with Groups | 12.5 | |
| 196-013 Advanced Practice Methods Laboratory | 12.5 | |
| 196-024 Supervised Professional Practice 2B# | 25 | |
| Sub total | 75 points | |
| Total Points | 150 points | |
You should note that you require approval from the head of the School of Social Work to withdraw from subjects, or to take leave of absence. For the important dates for changes, please refer to the introductory information at the beginning of the Handbook. A maximum of two semesters (12 months) leave of absence will be granted.
Students who fail 50 per cent or more of their enrolment in a given year and/or fail supervised professional practice subjects, or who fail additional prerequisite studies in their first year, or who fail any subject twice, will be required to appear before the Faculty's Unsatisfactory Progress Committee (see the entry What if I fail a significant part of my studies? in the BA section for further information).
Credit will only be considered where the content of former studies has direct relevance to the BSW course. Students transferring from other social work degree programs may be granted credit or exemption for completed social work subjects not counted towards another degree qualification, at the discretion of the Faculty. Students who have completed an approved course in welfare studies may be eligible for a reduction in fieldwork days in Supervised Professional Practice 1. All applications for credit must be made in writing to the BSW coordinator at the School of Social Work within the first two weeks of teaching in the relevant subject.
Prospective students need to be aware that the course is very demanding and there is little time available to undertake employment or other study commitments while they are enrolled as full-time students in the Bachelor of Social Work.
The following categories of applicants are eligible for selection to the BSW.
Graduates with an approved degree qualification who have successfully completed:
at least two semester subjects in studies of the individual, such as personality development, individual psychology, human development, physical and mental health, and theories of social and group behaviour. Such studies are usually found within the disciplines of psychology and allied behavioural sciences, and
at least two semester subjects in studies of contemporary society such as social inequality, deviance, cultural studies, politics, social history and social systems. Such studies are usually found within the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, political sciences, women's studies, history and philosophy of science, criminology and geography.
Undergraduates who have completed two full years of a course for a degree, and who have successfully completed (a) and (b) as above;
Persons who have completed an approved course at the tertiary level (for instance a three-year diploma or an Associate Diploma in Welfare Studies), and who have successfully completed (a) and (b) as above.
Applicants who have completed only one of (a) and (b) above may still be considered for selection, but will be required to undertake the relevant prerequisite subject concurrently with their first year of the three-year program.
Entry to honours must be approved by the School of Social Work and the Faculty of Arts honours course adviser.
Students will be selected into honours at the end of the second year of the BSW three-year program.
The prerequisites for entry to honours are:
an honours result in each of the subjects of the first and second years excepting the pass/fail subjects 196-007 Professional Practice Laboratory, 196-008 Supervised Professional Practice 1A# and 196-023 Supervised Professional Practice 1B# and;
an overall average of H2A in the first and second years.
Students will be selected into honours at the end of the first year of the BSW Accelerated Program.
The prerequisites for entry to honours are:
An honours result in each of the subjects of the first year excepting the pass/fail subjects 196-007 Professional Practice Laboratory, 196-008 Supervised Professional Practice 1A# and 196-023 Supervised Professional Practice 1B# and;
an overall average of H2A in the first year.
The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) degree requires an honours standard of performance in the final year of the program, the completion of the subject, 196-027 Critical Issues in Social Work and the completion of a thesis of 12 000 words (37.5 points).
| Third and fourth year honours | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-016 Practice with Individuals and Families | 12.5 | |
| 196-009 Social Work Practice Research | 12.5 | |
| 196-018 Fields of Social Work Practice B | 12.5 | |
| 196-017 Supervised Professional Practice 2A# | 12.5 | |
| 196-027 Critical Issues in Social Work | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 62.5 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-013 Advanced Practice Methods Laboratory | 12.5 | |
| 196-014 Social Work Programming | 12.5 | |
| 196-024 Supervised Professional Practice 2B# | 25 | |
| 196-517 Social Work Thesis | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 62.5 points | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| 196-517 Social Work Thesis | 25 | |
| Submit by the end of March | ||
| Sub total | 25 | |
| Total Points | 150 points | |
| Second year (accelerated) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-016 Practice with Individuals and Families | 12.5 | |
| 196-009 Social Work Practice Research | 12.5 | |
| 196-011 The Legal Context of Human Services | 12.5 | |
| 196-019 Practice with Diverse Populations | 12.5 | |
| 196-018 Fields of Social Work Practice B | 12.5 | |
| 196-017 Supervised Professional Practice 2A# | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 75 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-014 Social Work Programming | 12.5 | |
| 196-015 Social Work Practice with Communities | 12.5 | |
| 196-022 Social Work Practice with Groups | 12.5 | |
| 196-013 Advanced Practice Methods Laboratory | 12.5 | |
| 196-024 Supervised Professional Practice 2B# | 25 | |
| Sub total | 75 points | |
| Total Points | 150 points | |
| Third year (accelerated) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Semester | Points | |
| 196-517 Social Work Thesis | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 12.5 | |
| Semester 1 | ||
| 196-027 Critical Issues in Social Work | 12.5 | |
| 196-517 Social Work Thesis | 25 | |
| Sub total | 37.5 | |
| Total Points | 50 points | |
A student's final examination grade will be calculated over the weighted average mark of the thesis and the final year social work subjects, excepting the pass/fail subjects 196-017 Supervised Professional Practice 2A# and 196-024 Supervised Professional Practice 2B#.
As in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours), students will be required to obtain an Honours grade in each component of assessment and an overall grade of at least H3 to be eligible for an honours degree.
BSW (Hons) students should refer to the section on the BA (Hons) above Bachelor of Arts (Honours) for information regarding workload, change of enrolment, status, leave of absence, overseas study etc.
In the combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work degrees, students are able to pursue their own interests in their Arts degree while undertaking professional education in social work. The combined BA/BSW consists of five and a half years of full-time study, with students taking the prescribed social work subjects and a range of subjects from other departments in the Faculty of Arts. The combined degree course shares the objectives of both the BA and the BSW. Students should refer to the section on the BA for information regarding the Arts component of the combined course, and the above social work entry for the social work requirements.
The usual progression through the combined course is as follows:
First year Bachelor of Arts (100 points of first year) including prerequisites for the BSW (i.e. studies in psychology and contemporary society).
Admission to the combined degree.
Arts subjects: 50 points of second year; social work subjects: 50 points.
Arts subjects: 25 points at each of second and third year; social work subjects: 50 points.
Arts subjects: 25 points of third year; social work subjects: 75 points, including 37.5 points of supervised professional practice.
Social work subjects: 100 points.
Arts subjects: 25 points at third year; social work subjects: 25 points.
The order of the subjects in years four and five can be changed. The course includes at least 140 days of field work practice, as for the BSW.
| First year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | Points | |
| First year subjects including psychology and studies of contemporary society | ||
| Total Points | 100 points | |
| Second year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-003 Theorising Social Inequality | 12.5 | |
| 196-001 Human Behaviour and Social Environment 1 | 12.5 | |
| Second year Arts subjects | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-004 Contemporary Social Policy | 12.5 | |
| 196-002 Human Behaviour and Social Environment 2 | 12.5 | |
| Second year Arts subjects | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Total Points | 100 points | |
| Third year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-011 The Legal Context of Human Services | 12.5 | |
| 196-007 Professional Practice Laboratory | 12.5 | |
| Second/third year Arts subjects | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-015 Social Work Practice with Communities | 12.5 | |
| 196-022 Social Work Practice with Groups | 12.5 | |
| Second/third year Arts subjects | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Total Points | 100 points | |
| Fourth year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-005 Social Work Theory & Practice 1 | 12.5 | |
| 196-008 Supervised Professional Practice 1A# | 12.5 | |
| Third year Arts subjects | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-006 Social Work Theory & Practice 2 | 12.5 | |
| 196-010 Fields of Social Work Practice A | 12.5 | |
| 196-023 Supervised Professional Practice 1B# | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Total Points | 100 points | |
| Fifth year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-016 Practice with Individuals and Families | 12.5 | |
| 196-019 Practice with Diverse Populations | 12.5 | |
| 196-018 Fields of Social Work Practice B | 12.5 | |
| 196-017 Supervised Professional Practice 2A# | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 196-014 Social Work Programming | 12.5 | |
| 196-013 Advanced Practice Methods Laboratory | 12.5 | |
| 196-024 Supervised Professional Practice 2B# | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 points | |
| Total Points | 100 points | |
| Sixth year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 196-012 Organisational Contexts of Practice | 12.5 | |
| 196-009 Social Work Practice Research | 12.5 | |
| Third year Arts subjects | 25 | |
| Total Points | 50 points | |
For information about further course requirements for the BSW, see Further BSW course requirements. For information about course requirements for the Arts component, see Further requirements for the BA.
For entry to the combined course, current University of Melbourne students must have successfully completed at least one full-time year of their BA course including:
at least two semester subjects in psychology and;
at least two semester subjects in sociology, anthropology, political sciences, women's studies, history and philosophy of science, criminology, or geography. Students will be accepted in accordance with the normal selection procedures to the BSW course.
Applicants seeking to transfer into the BA/BSW from other University of Melbourne courses or from other institutions must satisfy the entry requirements for both the BA and BSW courses.
Contact the Faculty of Art office on +61 3 8344 5235, or:
The School of Social Work
234 Queensberry Street
Carlton Victoria 3053
Tel: +61 3 8344 9400
Fax: +61 3 9347 4375
Web: http://www.socialwork.unimelb.edu.au
196-001 Human Behaviour and Social Environment 1
196-002 Human Behaviour and Social Environment 2
196-003 Theorising Social Inequality
196-004 Contemporary Social Policy
196-005 Social Work Theory & Practice 1
196-006 Social Work Theory & Practice 2
196-007 Professional Practice Laboratory
196-009 Social Work Practice Research
196-011 The Legal Context of Human Services
196-012 Organisational Contexts of Practice
196-014 Social Work Programming
196-013 Advanced Practice Methods Laboratory
196-015 Social Work Practice with Communities
196-022 Social Work Practice with Groups
196-008 Supervised Professional Practice 1A#
196-023 Supervised Professional Practice 1B#
196-010 Fields of Social Work Practice A
196-018 Fields of Social Work Practice B
196-019 Practice with Diverse Populations
196-016 Practice with Individuals and Families
196-017 Supervised Professional Practice 2A#
196-024 Supervised Professional Practice 2B#
196-517 Social Work Thesis
196-027 Critical Issues in Social Work
Search : Index : Faculty of Arts
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