Working with Communities

Subject 196-761 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 5 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

On campus
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 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.

Contact

School of Nursing and Social Work
The University of Melbourne
Level 5, 234 Queensberry St
Carlton Victoria 3053 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 8344 9400
F: +61 3 9347 4375
W: www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au
W: www.socialwork.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will encourage a critical approach to social work practice with communities as a means of building social infrastructure and services to meet the needs of individuals and families. The subject has a specific focus on assessing community practice as a way to address inequality, through close examination of state-sponsored community building and renewal policies, both in Australia and internationally, and a variety of grass roots approaches. Students will increase their understanding of community practice and develop community work skills through planning and participating in community action, as well as exploring innovative methods and sites of community work.

Objectives:

Students who complete this subject should be able to:

  • Articulate the major theories and processes of social work with communities
  • Use their knowledge of community practice to choose appropriate interventions in a range of social work settings
  • Practise and increase their knowledge of a range of community practice skills, applicable across the diversity of community practice sites
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of community practice through a praxis approach
Assessment:

a) A written essay totalling 2000 words due mid semester (40%) and

b) 3,000 words due at end of semester (60%)

Prescribed Texts: Ife , J., & Tesoriero, F. (2006 ). Community development: Community-based alternatives in an age of globalisation. Melbourne: Pearson Education Australia
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/
Related Course(s): Master of Social Work

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