James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

WS5021 - Advanced Contemporary Practice

Subject Description

This subject advances students understanding of the contemporary contexts of social work practice across a broad range of settings, themes and topics, including content around psycho-social health and wellbeing across the lifespan to prepare them for increasing complexities and unpredictable, possibly volatile policy and working environments, in response to major social justice challenges, both existing and emerging. These include issues of inequality, environmental challenges, and increasing poverty in Australia and beyond. The subject emphasizes the role of social justice in Australian social work. Students will have the opportunity to develop and apply skills, knowledge and professional growth needed to effectively respond to social work practice in both emerging and contemporary contexts.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate critical reflection skills in articulating ways of transforming structures, processes, practices and inequities in emerging and contemporary contexts
• critically appraise the history and context of social work practice in Australia with a focus on its impact on marginalised individuals, groups and communities
• evaluate and apply the skills, values and ethics relevant to social work practice in emerging and contemporary contexts
• critique and apply core theoretical frameworks to enable individuals to achieve individual, psychosocial, and environmental health, wellbeing, and justice

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 2 - (50%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Availabilities