196-007 Communication Skills for Human Services

Admission into the Bachelor of Social Work course.

This subject is an experiential subject designed to prepare students for entry into supervised agency-based practice. The subject focuses on the development of communication, basic interviewing and critical self-reflection skills, for application in a variety of social work contexts. In addition to large group discussions and exercises, students engage in role plays and videotaped interviews to develop specific micro-skills - in particular, the skills of engaging, attending, listening, questioning, and responding.

• be able to understand social, organisational, cultural and ethical contexts of practice;

• be able to use verbal and nonverbal communications skills appropriate to those contexts;

• be able to work effectively with colleagues;

• be able to link theory to practice.

Each component of this subject is marked on a pass/fail basis and all components must be completed to pass standard. Assessment comprises a written exercise of 500 words (due in week 5), a written exercise of 500 words (due at the end of semester) and submission of a 10 to 15-minute videotape of student's interviewing practice accompanied by a 500 word written report (due at the end of semester). Attendance at all sessions is a hurdle requirement for this subject.

A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester

• G Egan, The Skilled Helper. (7th ed) Brooks/Cole 2002.