Social Work Advocacy: Scope, Research and Design

Unit code: ASW4003 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Prerequisites
288 credit points (First, Second and Third years) of core ABSW Bachelor of Social Work.
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
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Overview

This unit is the first component of a 24-credit point social work capstone experience. It enables students to develop a proposal aimed at addressing a real-world health and/or welfare problem. Students will utilise a range of macro practice approaches, to scope, research, and design their proposal. Learning activities will emphasise engagement with the profession and require both independent and collaborative learning. Students will be encouraged to draw together learning from the theoretical, practical and conceptual components of the whole social work course. Students will take responsibility to organise, plan and carry out the various tasks required for successful completion of the unit. They will have the opportunity to further develop their ideas in the final component of the 24 credit point capstone experience: ASW4004 Social Work Advocacy: Social Change in Action.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify, scope and plan social work interventions for real world problems by effectively using a range of methods of practice including individual, group, community, policy analysis and research;
  2. Identify and critique personal beliefs, values, and cultural traditions and integrate these with formal knowledge and professional values and ethics to ensure authentic practice;
  3. Demonstrate cultural humility, a valuing of diversity, and respect for the culture, knowledge and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the Traditional Owners of Australian lands through context specific projects; and
  4. Work independently and collaboratively with colleagues and others in planning and developing social work interventions for real world problems.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Assignment
|
Grade: 15%
Persuasive written report (500 words) and oral presentation (3 mins) justifying investigation into real world problem.
Assessment type: Literature Review
|
Grade: 50%
Analysis of literature relevant to real world problem (2,500 words)
Assessment type: Assignment
|
Grade: 35%
Written Proposal (1,000 words) and Oral presentation (3 mins)

To gain a pass in this unit students must attain a minimum overall grade of 50% and attempt and submit all assessment tasks, as each assessment task covers discrete areas of knowledge and skill required for the successful completion of the social work course.
Students enrolled in this unit will investigate and address issues of significance to the social work discipline via a self-identified or local agency “real world problem”. This real world problem will be used as the basis for student assessment.

Required reading

Required readings and references will be provided on the VU Collaborate site.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Social Work
ABSW | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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