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

  Social Work Theory and Practice 4: Activism and Social Change

• Unit Code

  SWK4121

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit explores social work activism by an analysis of social change as expressed through social movements for justice and peace. The unit considers the many ways in which social workers may intervene and respond at both a local individual and community level and at a global level. It presents a holistic model of social change premised on structural and post structural theorising which allows social workers to intervene across the broad spectrum of fields of practice in ways which enhance peoples well-being and contribute to their struggles for justice, human rights and sustainable development. It has a strong focus on social work practice as being progressive and activist oriented enacting a social change agenda, and working in partnership with disadvantaged communities both locally and internationally.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

This unit is delivered in 5-day Block format on the Bunbury campus. Students undertaking this unit must attend 5-day Block classes on the Bunbury campus.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from SWK4111, SWK4115

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse the social work professions commitment to activism, and, more broadly, to social change.
2. Evaluate various models of social change.
3. Formulate their own practice framework.
4. Generate a self-care plan.
5. Outline significant social movements and their impact on social work.

Unit Content

1. Approaches to self care.
2. Frameworks of knowledge for social work practice.
3. Models for social change.
4. Principles, strategies and tactics for activists.
5. Social change and the social work profession.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Teaching will include interactive lectures and tutorials, student discussions groups and video/DVD 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.

Text References

• Ife, J. (2001). Human rights and social work: Towards rights-based practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Healy, K. (2000). Social work practices: Contemporary perspectives on change. London: Sage.
• McDonald, C. (2006). Challenging social work: The institutional context of practice. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Mackelprang, R. & Salsgiver, R. (1999). Disability: A diversity model approach in human service practice. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
• Mittelman, J. (2000). The globalisation syndrome: Transformation and resistance. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
• Pease, B. & Fook, J. (Eds.). (1999). Transforming social work practice: Postmodern critical perspectives. St Leonards, NSW: Allen and Unwin.
• Rees, S. (2003). Passion for peace: Exercising power creatively. Sydney, NSW: University of New South Wales Press.
• Ryan, B. (1992). Feminism and the women's movement: Dynamics of change in social movement, ideology and activism. New York: Routledge.
• Smith, J.D. (2004). Australian rural and remote health: A social justice perspective. Croydon, Vic: Tertiary Press.
• Thompson, N. (1998). Promoting equality: Challenging discrimination and oppression in the human services. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan Press.
• Willett, G. (2000). Living out loud: A history of gay and lesbian activism in Australia. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen and Unwin.
• Bishop, A. (2002). Becoming an ally: Breaking the cycle of oppression. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
• Bannerjee, M. (2005). Social work: Rawlsian social justice and social development. Social Development Issues, 27(1), 6-24.
• Burgmann, V. (2003). Power, profit and protest: Australian social movements and globalisation. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin
• Ife, J. & Tesoriero, F. (2006). Community development: Community based alternatives in an age of globalisation. (3rd ed.). French's Forest: Pearson Education.

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