Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Introduction to Professional Practice

• Unit Code

  SWK1110

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

Description

This unit introduces students to the profession of social work. It considers the importance of the conscious use of an individual's values and ethics, as well as knowledge and skills, in professional practice. The unit examines the nature of professional helping, and develops effective communication and interaction skills.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the key interpersonal communication skills.
2. Describe the nature of social work and welfare practice.
3. Describe the steps in the problem-solving helping process
4. Explain the importance of values and ethical conduct in professional practice.
5. Identify the practice fields in social work.
6. Provide an overview of the knowledge base informing professional helping.
7. Understand the historical and philosophical basis of helping.

Unit Content

1. An introduction to social work as a profession.
2. Discussion with industry representatives.
3. Historical and philosophical foundations of practice.
4. Interpersonal skills.
5. Models for professional practice.
6. Power and ethics in professional practice.
7. The dimensions of the helping process.
8. The practice fields of social work.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, discussion board activity, blogs, case studies and audiovisual resources.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

• ^ Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2015). The road to social work and human service practice: An introductory text. (4th ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
• Carter, P., Jeffs, T., & Smith, M.K. (1995). Social working. London, United Kingdom: Macmillan.
• Australian Association of Social Workers (2010). AASW code of ethics. Kingston,Australia: AASW.
• Adler, R.B., Rosenfeld, L.B., & Proctor, R.F. (2013). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication. (12th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Hugman, R. (1991). Power in caring professions. Basingstoke, United Kingdom: Macmillan.
• Egan, G. (2013). The skilled helper: A problem-management and opportunity-development approach to helping. (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
• Lewis, G., & Slade, C. (2000). Critical communication. (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, Australia: Prentice Hall.
• Kotzman, M., & Kotzman, A. (2008). Listen to me, listen to you: A step-by-step guide to communication skills. Camberwell, Australia.: ACER Press.
• Johnson, D.W. (2009). Reaching out: Interpersonal effectiveness and self actualisation. (10th ed.). NJ: Pearson.
• O'Hagan, K. (2007). Competence in social work practice: A practical guide for students and professionals. (2nd ed.). London, United Kingdom: J.Kingsley Publishers.

^ Mandatory reference