Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Regional Professional Studies (Bunbury)

School: Regional Professional Studies

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

  Organisational Contexts

• Unit Code

  SWK3110

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit locates human service organisations and their workers within the broad context of the state. Students will consider how the policies of government influence the structure, purpose and practices of the organisations in which social workers are likely to be employed. Students consider the various perspectives from which organisations can be understood with a view to developing their understanding of an organisation's target group, goals, structure and culture. Students are introduced to integrated practice as a set of principles, skills and strategies for working in human service organisations.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse the functions and characteristics of human service organisations from different ideological perspectives.
2. Explain the impact of different organisational structures, management styles and locations (with a focus on regional, rural and remote communities) on social work practice.
3. Identify the ways in which human services are delivered through policies, programs and organisations.
4. Understand and explain the development of the welfare state.
5. Understand how to practice effectively within organisational settings.

Unit Content

1. Approaches to analysing human service organisations.
2. Discourses in the delivery of human services: professional, market, managerial and community.
3. The auspice of human service work and current issues and prospects for human service organisations.
4. The changing nature of the state and state sponsored responses to human need in Australia.
5. Working ethically and effectively in contested environments using a framework of integrated practice.
6. Working ethically and effectively in multidisciplinary teams using a framework of integrated practice.
7. Working ethically and effectively in organisations with reference to the AASW Code of Ethics, the Practice Standards for Social Workers and principles of integrated practice.
8. Working proactively within organisations.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Interactive lectures, tutorials and readings, online learning, group work, group discussion, group wikis and role play.

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.

Text References

• ^ Gardner, F. (2006). Working with human service organisations; Creating connections for practice South Melbourne: Oxford University Press
• Alvesson, M. (2002). Understanding organizational culture. London: Sage.
• Tyson, T. (1998). Working with groups. (2nd ed.). Sth Melbourne, Vic: Macmillan.
• Robbins, S. & Barnwell, N. (2006). Organisation theory: Concepts and cases. (4th ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.
• Powell, G. & Graves, L. (2003). Women and men in management. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
• Briskman, L. & Lynn, M. with La Nauze, H. Challenging rural practice: Human services in Australia. Geelong, Vic.: Deakin University Press.
• Chenoweth, L. & McAuliffe, D. (2005). The road to social work and human service practice: An introductory text. Southbank, Vic: Thomson Learning.
• Chui, W.H. & Wilson, J. (2006). Social work and human services best practice. Annandale: Federation.
• Clegg, S. (1990). Modern organizations: Organization studies in the postmodern world. London: Sage.
• Coulshed, V. & Mullender, A. (2006). Management in social work. (3rd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Fisher, R. & Karger, H. (1997). Social work and community in a private world: Getting out in public. White Plains, NY: Longman.
• Fowler, J., Gudmundsson, A. & Whicker, L. (2006). Groups work!: A guide for working groups. Bowen Hills, Qld: Australian Academic Press.
• Grambrill, E. (2006). Social work practice: A critical thinker's guide. (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
• Hughes, M. & Wearing, M. (2007). Organisations and management in social work. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
• Ife, J. (1997). Rethinking social work: Towards critical practice. Sth Melbourne, Vic: Longman.
• Jones, A. & May, J. (1992). Working in human service organisations; A critical introduction. South Melbourne: Longman.
• McDonald, C. (2006). Challenging social work: The institutional context of practice. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• O'Connor, I. Smyth, P. & Warburton, J. (Eds.). (2000). Contemporary perspectives on social work and the human services: Challenges and change. Frenchs Forest: Longman.

Journal References

• British Journal of Social Work
• Australian Social Work
• Australian Journal of Social Issues
• Organization Science

^ Mandatory reference

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