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Social Policy for Social Work Practice (SCWK90065)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Overview
Availability | February - Online |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will give students a foundational understanding of the policy context in which they live and practice, and develop their capacity to critically read, analyse and evaluate the impact of policy in everyday lives. It will give an overview of the historical development of social policy and engage students in critical debates about the systems and policy solutions produced. It will introduce key concepts and intellectual debates in contemporary social policy and provide a framework for policy analysis that can be used in critical policy assessment. The role of social workers in social policy development and advocacy will be explored. Students will develop an increased awareness of the influence of the broader policy environment and develop the capacity to advocate for change in their work with individuals, groups and communities.
Intended learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will demonstrate:
- Identify historical developments in social policy and key development drivers
- Explain how social policy interventions and systems reflect cultural and ideological positions
- Analyse social policies and their impacts using policy analysis frameworks
- Describe and compare different roles for social workers in social policy practice, development and advocacy
- Use social policy frameworks, social policy literature and research to analyse policy and to develop plans for social policy advocacy
Generic skills
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- critically analyse texts and practices;
- understand recent developments in social work contexts of practice;
- link theory to practice;
- competently communicate in ways relevant to both academic and practice contexts;
- undertake independent research.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Class test
| Week 4 | 20% |
Peer reviewed assessment proposal
| Week 6 | 10% |
Participation in tutorials and discussion boards
| Due after SWOT VAC | 10% |
Policy analysis essay
| Due after SWOT VAC | 60% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- February - Online
Principal coordinator Jennifer Davidson Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 24 contact hours (a combination of lectures and tutorials) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 February 2021 to 25 April 2021 Last self-enrol date 5 March 2021 Census date 12 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 April 2021 Assessment period ends 14 May 2021 February contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
McClelland, A. & Smyth, P. (2014) Social Policy in Australia: understanding for action. Oxford University Press: South Melbourne
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Social Work - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022