Social Work Practice: Indigenous Peoples

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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 programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject is designed to introduce students to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues in the context of social work responses. The subject begins with an overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, including pre-contact, colonisation and contemporary developments. Specific attention will be paid to engaging communities - including practice principles, strategies and skills. This subject will emphasise the importance of critical self reflection.

This subject will

- introduce students to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history

- introduce students to the history of social work practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities

- build awareness and understanding of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues in Australia

- introduce culturally responsive strategies and skills for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

- foster critical self reflective practice

Group project participation, 10%

Group presentation (10 - 20 mins) and 1500 word individual written summary, mid semester, 50%

Written assignment (2000 words), end of semester, 40%

Hurdle requirement – a pass result in all three assessment tasks

Bennett, B., Green, S., Gilbert, S. & Bessarab, D. (2013). Our Voices: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Work. South Yarra: Palgrave Macmillan.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students completing this subject will have:

- A critical appreciation of the historical and contemporary interface between non-Indigenous and Indigenous cultures in Australia and the implications for practice

- Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and ways of knowing and the implications for practice

- Knowledge of the cultural context of practice and the implications for practice