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Social Policy for Social Work Practice (SCWK90065)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Dr Jennifer Davidson
Overview
Availability | February - Dual-Delivery |
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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
Knowledge
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Describe the role of social policy in social work practice;
- Identify key frameworks for analysing social policy and creating social policy advocacy;
- Describe the ways in which social policy is made in the Australian and international contexts; and
- Identify key areas of current social policy and the impact they are having on the wellbeing of individuals and families.
Skills
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Utilise social policy and advocacy analysis frameworks to evaluate the development of social policy;
- Display argument formation and critical reasoning in relation to social policy analysis and use of policy analysis frameworks; and
- Create pieces of social policy advocacy to effect social policy change.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate areas of social policy and utilise policy and advocacy analysis skills to communicate how policy change can impact the wellbeing of individuals and families.
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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Individual test to be completed in tutorials (multiple choice and short answer)
| 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% |
Hurdle requirement: Attendance at a minimum of 50% of tutorials | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Jennifer Davidson Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 12 contact hours per semester (8 x 1.5 hour tutorial). An additional 8 x 1.5 hour of online preparation learning material must be completed weekly prior to attending each tutorial class, in place of attending a lecture. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 14 February 2022 to 10 April 2022 Last self-enrol date 25 February 2022 Census date 4 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 8 April 2022 Assessment period ends 13 May 2022 February contact information
Dr Jennifer Davidson
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
McClelland, A. & Smyth, P. , Fourth edition (2020) 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: 31 January 2024