196-518 Critical Issues in Social Work

Formerly available as 196-027. Students who have completed 196-027 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is available to BSW (Hons) students, Postgraduate Diploma and MSW coursework students.

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

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 bases of social work knowledge and practice, with particular attention to the concept of human rights.

• be able to argue in theoretical terms;

• be able to communicate effectively in written and oral forms;

• be able to critically analyse texts and practices.

An essay of 5000 words 100% (due at the end of semester).

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

• J Ife, Human rights and social work: Towards rights-based practice. Cambridge University Press 2001.