Overview
This unit presents ethical theories and principles and their relationship to social work professional practice in human services. Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) code of ethics and explore ethical decision making in relation to different practice contexts. Students should also be able to analyse the role of personal and professional value systems and their place in various practice settings, and the legal and organisational context of social / welfare work. Students should be able to identify and engage appropriate use of self and self care strategies by students in the professional context as a component of devising an ethical professional framework for future practice. The students should be able to analyse the ethics of practice within different cultural contexts and devise appropriate strategies of intervention.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Successful completion of 48 credit points in any course.
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 - 2025
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 Student evaluation
The amount of reading was overwhelming.
Reduce weekly readings and reiterate to students how to utilise study modules and prescribed and supplementary readings in completing assessment tasks.
Feedback from Student evaluation
The Indigenous and Cross Cultural Issues study module needs to be introduced earlier in the term.
Social workers' ethical responsibilities to culturally safe and inclusive practice are integrated throughout the study modules, and key ethical concepts related to this specific study module are not introduced until later in the term. However, the first two study modules will incorporate a further emphasis on social workers' ethical responsibility to culturally safe and responsive practice.
- Identify the major principles inherent within the AASW code of ethics
- Apply the code of ethics to professional practice contexts
- Critically analyse modernist and post modernist approaches to ethical dilemmas
- Analyse the ethical elements of cultural competence including working in Indigenous contexts and apply strategies to case study situations
- Analyse differing contexts for ethical practice and apply the ethical use of self and appropriate self care strategies within a range of these practice contexts
- Analyse your performance from feedback drawn from your involvement in learning contexts.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 30% | ||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 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 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Ethical Practice in Social Work
(2007)
Authors: Bowles, W., Collingridge, M., Curry, S., & Valentine, B.
Allen & Unwin
Crows Nest Crows Nest , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781741146820
Students are not required to purchase the textbook as it is available to access freely online through the CQUniversity Library: SOWK12014 Textbook.
Binding: Paperback
Students are not required to purchase the textbook as it is available to access freely online through the CQUniversity Library: SOWK12014 Textbook.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- Microsoft Word
- Zoom account (Free)
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- CQU library search
- CQ library literature search tools
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.
m.chesham@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to ethics
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 1 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Code of Ethics & critical reflection
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 2 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Online Group Discussion Topic A post due at the end of week 2.
Module/Topic
Ethical theories and concepts
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 3 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Online Group Discussion Topic A reflection due at the end of week 3.
Module/Topic
Autonomy, paternalism and self determination
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 4 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Privacy and confidentiality
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 5 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Online Group Discussion Topic 2 Post due at the End of Week 5.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Veracity, professional boundaries & conflict of interests
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 6 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Online Group Discussion Topic 2 reflection due at the end of week 6.
Module/Topic
Social work practice context & ethical dilemmas
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 7 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ethical decision making
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 8 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The source of power in social work practice
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for the Week 9 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Indigenous and cross-cultural issues
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for the Week 10 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ethics, social control and toleration
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for the Week 11 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online (or face-to-face or hybrid or blended [specific to your unit]), 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/s/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice 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 Group Discussion
Type: Two Group Discussions
Group Discussion A
Forum opens: 8:00 am (AEST) Friday, Week 2, 25th July, 2025
Forum closes: 6:00 pm (AEST), Friday, Week 3, 1st August, 2025
Return date: Results for this group discussion will be made available on Friday, Week 5.
Weight: 15%
Group Discussion B
Forum opens: 8:00 am (AEST) Friday, Week 5, 15th August, 2025
Forum closes: 6:00 pm (AEST), Friday, Week 6, 29th August, 2025
Return date: Results for this group discussion will be made available on Friday, Week 8.
Weight: 15%
Length:
For each Group Discussion Topic:
- A 500-word limit for the online response to the group discussion topic.
- A 300-word maximum limit for the online response to a student.
- A 300-word limit for the online reflective practice post.
Word limit +/- 10% (excluding reference list)
Unit Coordinator: Madonna Chesham
Extensions: Not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Aim
You are required to participate in two online group discussion topics in Week 2 and Week 5; see the Moodle unit site for the due dates for each group discussion topic. The group discussion tasks are intended to replicate a face-to-face tutorial, aiming to develop students' knowledge of ethical practice and skills essential for social work practice. The activities will enhance your ability to engage in an informed discussion for ethical decision-making and offer constructive feedback to peers. These activities are to be viewed as learning opportunities rather than peer evaluations.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task on the unit's 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.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This restriction is in place to support the development of essential critical thinking and reasoning skills, which are essential to navigating legal and ethical challenges in social work practice. In human services professions, AI-generated content cannot replace human judgment, especially when interpreting laws and assessing their relevance to social work practice. The intersection of the law and human services requires careful reasoning, contextual analysis, and an understanding of human impact and complexities that AI cannot authentically replicate.
Ongoing. Group discussion forums will take place in weeks 2 & 5 of term. A detailed schedule of dates, discussion topics and requirements for each topic will be provided on Moodle.
Grades for each discussion topic will be made available within two weeks of completion of the topic.
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more details on how marks will be assigned.
- You must achieve a minimum grade of 49.5% to pass this assessment.
- In addition to needing an overall mark of at least 49.5% for the unit, students must receive a pass or higher in at least two of the three assessments to achieve an overall pass for this unit.
- Assessment re-attempt is not available for this assessment.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
- Identify the major principles inherent within the AASW code of ethics
- Apply the code of ethics to professional practice contexts
- Critically analyse modernist and post modernist approaches to ethical dilemmas
- Analyse the ethical elements of cultural competence including working in Indigenous contexts and apply strategies to case study situations
- Analyse differing contexts for ethical practice and apply the ethical use of self and appropriate self care strategies within a range of these practice contexts
- Analyse your performance from feedback drawn from your involvement in learning contexts.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
Type: Written Assignment
Due date: Wednesday, 3rd September, 2025, 4 pm AEST
Return date: Results for this assessment will be made available on Friday, 19th September 2025.
Weighting: 30%
Length: 1500 words +/- 10% (excluding reference list)
Extensions: Available as per policy. Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment.
Unit Coordinator: Madonna Chesham
Aim
This assessment provides an opportunity to demonstrate ethical practice in complex areas of social work. Focusing on either domestic and family violence (DFV) or youth work, you will critically analyse the factors that contribute to ethical dilemmas commonly encountered by social workers or human service workers in this practice area. Drawing on the case study provided, you will demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the ethical dilemma involved and propose a resolution that reflects core ethical principles and relevant contextual considerations. You will also analyse the ethical issues that may arise when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service users, communities, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in this field of practice, highlighting the importance of culturally responsive and ethically sound practice.
Instructions
Instructions for this assessment can be accessed 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.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This restriction is in place to support the development of essential critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills, which are fundamental to navigating complex and ethically challenging situations in social work practice. Social work is grounded in human connection, empathy, ethical decision-making, and effective communication—core competencies that AI-generated content cannot authentically demonstrate.
Week 7 Wednesday (3 Sept 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Students are to submit the assessment online via the Assessment 2 submission area.
Week 9 Friday (19 Sept 2025)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more details on how marks will be assigned.
- You must achieve a minimum grade of 49.5% to pass this assessment.
- In addition to needing an overall mark of at least 49.5% for the unit, students must receive a pass or higher in at least two of the three assessments to achieve an overall pass for this unit.
- Assessment re-attempt is not available for this assessment.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
- Identify the major principles inherent within the AASW code of ethics
- Apply the code of ethics to professional practice contexts
- Critically analyse modernist and post modernist approaches to ethical dilemmas
- Analyse the ethical elements of cultural competence including working in Indigenous contexts and apply strategies to case study situations
- Analyse differing contexts for ethical practice and apply the ethical use of self and appropriate self care strategies within a range of these practice contexts
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
Type: Written Assignment
Due date: Wednesday, 8th October 2025, 4 pm AEST
Return date: Results for this assessment will be made available on Friday, 24th October 2025, 6 pm (AEST).
Weighting: 40%
Length: 2000 words +/- 10% (excluding reference list)
Extensions: Available as per policy. Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment.
Unit Coordinator: Madonna Chesham
Aim
This assessment requires you to analyse an ethical dilemma in social work practice. You will examine how complex ethical challenges emerge when the broader political, social and economic context shapes the experiences of service-users and influences social work decision-making. Developing strong ethical decision-making skills is essential for practising with empathy, cultural sensitivity and responsiveness, and a commitment to social work values and ethics.
Instructions
Instructions for this assessment can be accessed 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.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This restriction is in place to support the development of essential critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills, which are fundamental to navigating complex and ethically challenging situations in social work practice. Social work is grounded in human connection, empathy, ethical decision-making, and effective communication—core competencies that AI-generated content cannot authentically demonstrate.
Week 12 Wednesday (8 Oct 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Students to submit the assessment on moodle
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more details on how marks will be assigned.
- You must achieve a minimum grade of 49.5% to pass this assessment.
- In addition to needing an overall mark of at least 49.5% for the unit, students must receive a pass or higher in at least two of the three assessments to achieve an overall pass for this unit.
- Assessment re-attempt is not available for this assessment.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
- Identify the major principles inherent within the AASW code of ethics
- Apply the code of ethics to professional practice contexts
- Critically analyse modernist and post modernist approaches to ethical dilemmas
- Analyse differing contexts for ethical practice and apply the ethical use of self and appropriate self care strategies within a range of these practice contexts
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
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?
