Overview
This unit examines a range of theories that have informed professional social work practice. You will be offered with learning opportunities to identify and critique key theories as well as apply them to contemporary social work practice. You will examine the usefulness of theories alongside their strengths and limitations in informing social work interventions in various fields of practice. In addition, you will engage in critical reflection to support your emerging ethical theoretical framework for professional social work practice.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
SOWK11015 Professional Communication in Human Services, or SOWK11012 Introduction to Social Work A and SOWK11013 Introduction to Social Work B.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE data
The unit and lectures were well organized.
Continue with the general format of the unit delivery in Moodle
Feedback from SUTE data
Breaking the prerecorded lecture content into smaller (2 or 3 recordings) would make a positive difference and help stay focused.
Review this recommendation around producing shorter videos.
- Analyse how key philosophies inform the delivery of human services and the practice of social work.
- Analyse social work practice through a theoretical and social work values lens.
- Justify the importance of integrating a philosophy, ideology or theory into your emerging professional practice framework.
- Analyse the social context and how it influences social workers’ understanding of individual issues or problems and how to initiate change.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Creative work - 20% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Modern Social Work Theory
- Edition: 5th (2020)
- Authors: Payne, M.
- Bloomsbury
- ISBN: 9781352011098
The prescribed textbook can be accessed online at the CQUniversity Library website. Access may be limited. If you would prefer your own copy, purchase either paper or eBook versions at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code).
- Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- CQ U library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Microsoft Word
- Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint software; access to audio or video recording technology
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
- Zoom access (via smartphone/device app or laptop): microphone and webcam required
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.sobolewska2@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to the unit
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Watch Welcome and Unit Introduction and the recorded lecture.
Go to Virtual Classes to find information about the scheduled interactive ZOOM sessions for the term.
Activity: Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your peers.
Assessments: Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Systems
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to critical social work practice
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Census Date is next week. If you are experiencing difficulties with studies, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Feminism and social work
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Anti-oppressive practice
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Your Ecosystem Map Due: Week 5 Wednesday (12 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Human rights and social justice
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Diversity, power and knowledge
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Postmodern approaches
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Case Study Due: Week 8 Wednesday (9 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Activism, social change and social work
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Community and social change
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Don’t forget – check your unit enrolments for next term.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Eco-practice and green social work
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Advancing social work into the future
Chapter
Please refer to Moodle for unit readings and learning materials.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to Announcements on Moodle for key tasks and activities for the week.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Conceptualising a Social Change Initiative Due: Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least once a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Creative work
Task Description
This task invites you to explore the social and ecological influences in your life through a visual mapping activity and a reflective analysis. In this exercise, you will explore the notion that individuals are situated in a web of relationships, community systems, and broader social, cultural and environmental influences. Your submission will include an ecosystem map with a written analysis.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. CQUniversity Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft CoPilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, proof reading, checking spelling and grammar. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 5 Wednesday (12 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only.
Week 7 Wednesday (2 Sept 2026)
Grades and feedback will be made available via Moodle.
Please refer to the marking rubric on the unit's Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Analyse social work practice through a theoretical and social work values lens.
- Analyse the social context and how it influences social workers’ understanding of individual issues or problems and how to initiate change.
2 Case Study
Task Description
The aim of this assessment task is for you to demonstrate how two theories of change can support your understanding of a client’s situation and inform your social work practice. This task will build your ability to explain, apply, and reflect on theory in practice contexts.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. CQUniversity Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft CoPilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, proof reading, checking spelling and grammar. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 8 Wednesday (9 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only.
Week 11 Wednesday (30 Sept 2026)
Grades and feedback will be made available via Moodle.
Please refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Analyse how key philosophies inform the delivery of human services and the practice of social work.
- Analyse social work practice through a theoretical and social work values lens.
- Justify the importance of integrating a philosophy, ideology or theory into your emerging professional practice framework.
- Analyse the social context and how it influences social workers’ understanding of individual issues or problems and how to initiate change.
3 Written Assessment
Task Description
The aim of this assessment is to develop a theory-informed social change initiative that addresses a pressing social issue relevant to your community or broader Australian context. In this assessment, you will apply theories of change presented in this unit to macro-level change and align your campaign with the ethical values and principles of the social work profession. Your initiative may take different forms, such as an advocacy campaign, community education initiative, anti-stigma project, digital activism, or community-led action project.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. CQUniversity Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft CoPilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, proof reading, checking spelling and grammar. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only.
Vacation/Exam Week Monday (19 Oct 2026)
assessments will be returned three weeks from submission
Please refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Analyse how key philosophies inform the delivery of human services and the practice of social work.
- Analyse social work practice through a theoretical and social work values lens.
- Justify the importance of integrating a philosophy, ideology or theory into your emerging professional practice framework.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
