Working in Human Service Organisations

Subject 196-756 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 contact hours (8 x 1 hour lecture, 8 x 2 hour seminar)
Total Time Commitment: 24 contact hours 16 hours of class preparation and reading 24 hours of assessment related tasks = 64 hours total time commitment = 8 hours total time per week
Prerequisites: n/a
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's courses. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Elizabeth Ozanne
Subject Overview:

This subject aims to give students an appreciation of the nature of human service organizations as a context, vehicle and target of social work interventions. Several theoretical perspectives on human service organizations will be explored and students will be introduced to a number of specific dimensions useful in understanding organizations, like goals, mission, technology and culture. They will also examine the different ways in which such organizations are structured for line and task accountability and what difference the overall size of the organization makes for both workers and clients. The environment in which an organization operates and its interorganizational field are of increasing importance in human service practice and different ways of understanding and conceptualizing the environment will be presented. The clients/consumers/target groups of human service organization have a major influence on program design and choice of technology. Similarly the way in which work is structured in the organization will have a particular impact on staff in terms of the manner in which they interact with colleagues and manage their time and stresses of the job. Utilization of supervision and the nature of interdisciplinary teamwork will be particularly explored. Finally the course will explore how change within the organization can be initiated, implemented and evaluated.

Subject objectives

Students who complete this subject should be able to

  • Describe and analyse a human service organization from a number of different theoretical perspectives;
  • Develop a good conceptual and empirical understanding of some of the key dimensions of organizational analysis e.g. size, structure, goals, technology, culture
  • Be familiar with common tensions confronting both service users and professionals in human service organizations
  • Be able to understand change and resistance to change in human service organizations
Assessment: Two written essays of 2,500 words and 50% each (one due mid and one end of semester)
Prescribed Texts: Jones, A. (2006). Working in human service organisations: A critical introduction, Melbourne: Longman Cheshire. McDonald, C. (2006). Challenging social work: The institutional context of change. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who complete this subject should be able to:

  • critically analyse texts and practices;
  • understand recent developments in social work contexts of practice;
  • link theory to practice;
  • competently communicate in ways relevant to both academic and practice contexts;
  • undertake independent research.
Links to further information: http://www.socialwork.unimelb.edu.au/
Notes:

The disciplines of Nursing and Social Work are now co-managed within the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences. At the time of publication Social Work subjects are under the administrative management of the School of Nursing.

Download PDF version.