HSW434 - Administration and Policy Development: The Organisational Context

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 1: Online with significant campus requirements (see scheduled learning activities), Community Based Delivery (CBD)*

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Jayne Hatherall
Cohort rule:

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work (H330)

Prerequisite:

HSW314 (or appropriate experience in a human services organisation as approved by the unit chair)

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning activities will support learning across the trimester.

NIKERI-CBD students only: Online independent and collaborative learning activities including online practical experiences (workshops).

In-person attendance requirements:

All online students must attend a compulsory 1 day intensive at the Geelong Waterfront Campus at which core practical learning requirements will be taught.
Click here to view intensive dates and locations.

NIKERI-CBD students only: There are compulsory intensives for all students at the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus. These intensives are arranged by year level. Please contact the NIKERI Social Work Course Team for more information on 1800 063 383.

Note:

*National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute students only. 
^Students enrol as online, however there are significant campus requirements

Content

The unit relates professional social work practice to organisational theory, models of administration and management, and the domain of industrial relations, paying particular attention to the public sector and to human services delivery systems. Organisational forms in which social workers operate will be discussed, including the different levels of government and the non-government sector. The work context for social work practice will be analysed and a number of critiques of the established order presented, including radical change models and feminist analysis of bureaucracies. Social control functions of public welfare will be highlighted as well as issues relating to social justice and public welfare.

ULO

These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Argue the relevance and importance of organisational theory and analysis as a component of social work practice.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Explain the core principles of key theories applicable to organisational analysis and how they relate to social work practice.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO3

Apply theory in order to analyse the systems and processes of organisations and how these may impact clients and service delivery, with particular focus on identification of barriers and injustice.

GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO4

Appraise the need for change within organisations and describe appropriate and reasonable steps for implementing organisational change in order to reduce social barriers, inequality and injustice.

GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO5

Work collaboratively with peers to appraise organisational theory and engage in group reflection of the implications for practice.

GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO6

Work independently and/or in groups to creatively and effectively use text-based and audio-visual technologies to communicate, acquire and disseminate information.

GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO6: Self-management
GLO7: Teamwork

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: 2 x Online quizzes 250 words x 2 online quizzes
Total: 500 words
10% each
Total: 20%
  • Week 3: Quiz 1
  • Week 4: Quiz 2
Assessment 2: Group-based simulation exercise and individual reflection Written reflection: 1000 words  30%
  • Week 9
Assessment 3: Organisational analysis 2500 words 50%
  • Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Hurdle requirement

  • Attendance at a 1 day intensive held during trimester at Waterfront (Geelong) campus.

Click here to view intensive dates and locations.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HSW434 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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