CQUniversity Unit Profile

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Please note that this Unit Profile is still in progress. The content below is subject to change.
SOWK28001 Understanding Social Work: Foundational Knowledge and Skills for Practice
Understanding Social Work: Foundational Knowledge and Skills for Practice
All details in this unit profile for SOWK28001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit introduces the complex history and foundations of the social work profession in Australia, emphasising its impact on the purpose, values, theory, identity and practice of social work. You will critically examine the theoretical frameworks and historical trends that have shaped the profession and the competing tensions and power dynamics that influence various social work practice contexts. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of social work values and ethics, focusing on how they are conveyed through professional communication. You will develop interpersonal communication skills essential for building effective and collaborative working relationships across diverse practice contexts, aiming to achieve positive outcomes. The unit emphasises critically evaluating and reflecting on culturally safe and responsive communication strategies and skills when working with First Nation peoples and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Throughout the unit, you will engage in critical self-reflection to enhance your self-awareness and manage your use of self in interactions with others. Reflective practice will support your professional growth and improve your capacity to work empathetically and ethically in various social work settings.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

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

Sydney

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate 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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

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.

Previous Student Feedback
Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Analyse the historical development, trends, foundational theories, values and ethics that shape contemporary social work identity, purpose and practice.
  2. Develop ethical interpersonal communication skills to foster collaborative working relationships and achieve positive outcomes in diverse practice contexts.
  3. Critically evaluate and use culturally safe and responsive communication strategies when working with First Nation peoples and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
  4. Engage in critical self-reflection and accept constructive feedback to improve self-awareness and manage the use of self for ethical and empathetic professional interactions.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 40%
3 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Information for Textbooks and Resources has not been released yet.

This information will be available on Monday 23 June 2025
Academic Integrity Statement

Information for Academic Integrity Statement has not been released yet.

This unit profile has not yet been finalised.