Overview
Social work operates at the critical interface between social concerns and individual problems. Social workers must navigate this complex landscape by analysing and evaluating the policy context in which they work, guided by the AASW Code of Ethics (2020). This unit explores the historical, political and structural dimensions of social policy and policy-making in Australia and internationally. A significant focus will be examining the impact of historical and contemporary social policies on First Nations communities. You will critically examine key concepts and debates in contemporary social policy and alternative ideologies underpinning the allocation and distribution of resources, such as the welfare state and neoliberalism. Additionally, you will analyse the role of social workers in interpreting and implementing social policy decisions and develop skills essential for advocating for those adversely affected by policies and influencing the broader social policy environment.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: SOWK29001 Ethical and Legal Issues in Practice SOWK28005 Social Work Field Education 1
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 - 2027
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).
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
- Academic Progression Policy and Procedure
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- 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
Clear unit requirements and learning materials.
Will continue to deliver this unit in an accessible manner for students.
Feedback from SUTE
Useful assessments.
Will continue to deliver assessments that are relevant to social work practice.
Feedback from Conversations with students.
Opportunities for in-person discussion were helpful.
SOWK29003 is offered online, however students took opportunities for in-person learning from the unit of study coordinator who was also delivering an in-person unit of study being taken by the same cohort of students. In future, it will be useful to consider opportunities to consider if it is necessary to formalise this arrangement.