196-027 Critical Issues in Social Work

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), see Honours entry, the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Social Work.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

In this subject contemporary issues and debates arising from within the social work profession are explored. This will include consideration of topics such as the adequacy of theory; the influence of evidence-based practice approaches; and issues arising from external sources and events including internationalisation, technological change, and policy and organisational influences. This subject asks students to revisit, in a critical and constructive spirit, the basis of social work knowledge and practice. In particular the focus will be on the centrality of contextualised knowledge and the implications of this - theoretically, practically, educationally and industrially - for understanding the profession's development and potential future direction. This subject explores the implications of the centrality of contextualised knowledge for social work as evidenced in its historical development, theoretical complexity, and prevailing focus on applied and usable knowledge. To do this the content of this subject addresses and debates three main areas: the common base of social work practice; the historical development of the profession within constantly changing socio-political realities; and the implications and challenges arising from applying social work knowledge in both local and wider contexts.

Assessment

Written work totalling 5000 words. Attendance at 75% of seminars, or equivalent, is required for this subject.