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

  Advanced Social Work Theory and Practice

• Unit Code

  SWK6111

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  Online

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Description

This unit is designed to engage students in a review of recent theoretical and practice developments within the discipline of Social Work. Students will examine the implications for a critical engagement between the social and biological sciences in the context of modern helping discourses and practices.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Assess the explanatory potential and limitations of key theoretical perspectives utilised in Social Work practice and theory.
2. Critically analyse the relation between individuals and society in light of developments in the social and life sciences.
3. Evaluate the ethical and moral bases of theoretical perspectives in Social Work.
4. Examine the use of knowledge for practice in cross cultural settings, particularly in regards to knowledge of Indigenous culture and culturally appropriate practice.

Unit Content

1. Critical and structural perspectives.
2. Cultural safety and knowledge.
3. Engagement between the social and life sciences.
4. Epistemology and ontology.
5. History of ideas in Social Work.
6. Indigenous knowledge and social work practice.
7. The linguistic turn: Post-structuralism.
8. The turn to affect: emotions and social theory.
9. Theoretical developments in Social Work.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Students engage in weekly online learning activities via Blackboard, ECU's learning management system. Regular online access is required. Social interaction is facilitated with the use of discussion boards and other collaborative tools, moderated by the online tutor/lecturer. All assessments are submitted electronically.

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

• Moreton-Robinson, A. (2004). Whiteness, epistemology and Indigenous representation In A. Moreton-Robinson (Ed.), Whitening race: Essays in social and cultural criticism (pp. 75-88). Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press.
• Gray, M., & Webb, S. A. (2013). Social work theories and methods. (2nd ed.). London, UK: SAGE Publications.
• Walter, M., Taylor, S., & Habibis, D. (2011). How white is social work in Australia? Australian Social Work, 64(1), 6-19.
• Gray, M., Plath, D., & Webb, S. A. (2009). Evidence-based social work: A critical stance. London, UK: Routledge.
• Foucault, M. (1989). The archaeology of knowledge. London, UK: Routledge.
• Fook, J. (2002). Social work: Critical theory and practice. London, UK: SAGE Publications.
• Connell, R. (2007). Power, violence and the pain of colonialism. In R. Connell (Ed.), Southern theory - the global dynamics of knowledge in social science (pp. 165 - 194). Crow's Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin.
• Bailey, R., & Brake, M. (1975). Radical social work. London, UK: Edward Arnold.

Journal References

• White, S. (2009). Fabled uncertainty in social work: a coda to Spafford et al. Journal of Social Work, 9(2). 222-235.
• Taylor, C., & White, S. (2006). Knowledge and reasoning in social work: Educating for humane judgement. British Journal of Social Work, 36(6). 937-954.
• Rose, N. (2013). The human sciences in a biological age. Theory, Culture & Society, 30(3). 3-34.
• O'Sullivan, T. (2005). Some theoretical propositions on the nature of practice wisdom. Journal of Social Work, 5(2). 221-242.
• Osmond, J. (2006). Knowledge use in social work practice. Journal of Social Work, 6(3). 221-237.
• Osmond, J. (2005). The knowledge spectrum: A framework for teaching knowledge and its use in social work practice. British Journal of Social Work, 35(6). 881-900.
• Leys, R. (2011). The turn to affect: A critique. Critical Inquiry, 37(3). 434-472.

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