Master of Social Work & Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
SWSP6063 International Social Work – Global Context
Some Social Work units in Trimester 3 2021 will be delivered online to ensure the health of students and staff during the COVID19 pandemic. This is a temporary mode of delivery that has the approval of the AASW.
Social workers acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians, whose lands, winds and waters we all now share, and pay respect to their unique values, and their continuing and enduring cultures which deepen and enrich the life of our nation and communities. Social workers commit to acknowledge and understand the historical and contemporary disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the implication of this for social work practice. Social workers are responsible for ensuring that their practice is culturally competent, safe and sensitive.
SWSP6063 International Social Work
Level: Master
Duration: One trimester
Credit Points: Six out of a total of 96
Prerequisites: Successful completion of SWSP6003, SWSP6013, and SWSP6143
Mode(s) of Delivery: Online
Core/Elective: MSW(Q): Elective & MSW: Core
Unit Description
This unit explores whether it is possible to talk about international social work and if so what it looks like. Is it possible for social work to shrug off its past hegemonic structures and develop a nonhegemonic and anti-imperialist social work with professional partners from abroad? This unit asks students to reflect on this and come up with an answer. The links between international development and international social work are explored, and current international social work practice.
Unit Workload
A weekly 3 hour learning session [via Zoom or on Campus]. One three-hour workshop comprised of didactive material delivered, interactive class time, group discussion, readings, assessments and class activities. Course material will be available in the online class space.
In addition to the 3 hours of class time, students are expected to engage in 6 hours of private study per week.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast global structures and global politics and its impact on cultures and national politics and citizenship.
2. Articulate the history and conflicts associated with international social work and its development.
3. Analyse in depth various perspectives and approaches to international social work.
4. Critically reflect on global issues from a social work perspective.
5. Demonstrate a working knowledge of current international social work practice and education.
6. Articulate social work’s role in further international issues, especially the role of education and research.
7. Plan and execute a research project and identify all steps involved and reflect on its process and outcome.
Learning and Teaching Approach
1. Learning is an active process – which involves both questioning and challenging.
2. Learning is a shared process – where others’ thoughts and ideas are presented, critically analysed, exchanged and respected.
3. Learning is a collaborative and empowering process for self and others.
4. Learning is thoughtful and reflective.
5. Learning requires integration with prior knowledge and other arenas of knowledge development in the program.
6. Preparation for lectures and seminars and a reading of the recommended texts and references is essential.
The content of this unit has been designed to maximise both online and face-to-face learning to integrate the subject matter.
Students are expected to:
• Complete all activities
• Complete readings
• Complete all assessments
• Attend all classes
It is also recommended that students:
• Keep a record of new terminology that is introduced in this unit
• Keep a copy of assessments and other correspondence
• Make notes on unit content and readings
There will be learning activities linked to all lecture materials which are designed to encourage students to deliberate and reflect and to provide opportunities for further learning. The activities are designed to help students think through and practise the specific skills and general concepts presented in this unit as well as provide valuable learning opportunities.
Attendance Requirements
The Australian Association of Social Workers requires students maintain 80% attendance for each unit of study. Students are responsible to provide supporting documentation for missed classes. Students are also required to provide evidence of how they have kept abreast with the course content, this will be assessed by submitting a 500 word outline summarising the content of each missed session. Students who miss more than three (3) sessions for a class offered weekly or one (1) session for a weekend block will not be able to pass the unit. In circumstances where attendance requirements are not met, the result ‘Fail Incomplete’ will be awarded. For more information refer to the Student Participation and Attendance Policy.
Readings
Recommended Texts
Hugman, R. (2010). Understanding international social work: A critical analysis. Palgrave Macmillan.
Noble, C., Strauss, H., & Littlechild, B. (Eds) (2014). Global social work: Crossing the borders, blurring the boundaries. University of Sydney Press.
Recommended Readings
Borrmann, S., Klassen, M., & Spatscheck, C. (Eds.) (2007). International social work: Social problems, cultural issues and social work education. Barbara Budrich Publishers.
Cox, D., & Pawer, M. (2012). International social work: Issues, strategies and programs. SAGE
Publications.
Dominelli, L. (Ed.) (2007). Revitalising communities in a globalising world. Ashgate Publishing.
Dominelli, L. (2012). Green social work: From environmental crises to environmental justice.
Polity Press.
Dominelli, L., & Bernard Thomas, W. (Eds.) (2003). Broadening horizons: International exchanges in social work. Ashgate Publishing.
Gray, M., & Webb, S. A. (2013). The politics of social work. Palgrave, Macmillan.
Harrison, G., & Melville, R. (2010). Rethinking social work in a global world. Palgrave Macmillan.
Healy, L. (2008). International social work: Professional action in an independent world (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Lyons, K., Hokenstad, T., Pawar, M., Huegler, N., & Hall, N. (Eds.) (2012). The SAGE handbook of international social work. SAGE Publications
Noble, C., Strauss, H., & Littlechild, B. (Eds.) (2014). Global social work: Crossing borders, blurring boundaries. University of Sydney Press.
Payne. M., & Askeland, G. A. (2008). Globalization & international social work: Postmodern changes & challenges. Ashgate Publishing.
Tascon, S. (2016) ‘The Humanitarian Gaze’, Human Rights Films, and Social Work: Linking the Global and the Local (unpublished)
Tripodi, T., & Tropodi-Potocky, M. (2007). International social work research: Issues and prospects. Oxford University Press.
Wainryb, C., Smatana, J., & Turiel, E. (2012). Social development, social inequalities, and social justice. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Journals
• Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education: http://www.anzswwer.org/journal/
• Australian Journal of Social Issues: http://www.aspa.org.au/publications/ajsi.html • Australian Social Work: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rasw20/current#.VSHRaWd-_IU
• International Journal of Social Welfare:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1468-2397/issues
• International Journal of Social Work (IJSW): http://www.macrothink.org/journal/index.php/ijsw
• International Social Work: http://isw.sagepub.com/
• The International Journal of Social Work Continuing Education: http://www.profdevjournal.org/index.html
• Journal on Global Social Work Practice: http://globalsocialwork.org
• Journal of Social Work Education: http://www.cswe.org/Publications/JSWE.aspx
• Social Work Education – The International Journal:
http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cswe20#.VSHP6Gd-_IU
Unit Content
Session Topic Assessments
1. The context of international social work
2. Globalisation, Internationalism and Sustainability:
The economics of happiness (Film)
3. The social work profession internationally – history, international action concepts, values and processes, current issues and practices. International definition of social work. IFSW, IASSW, ICSD, ICSW, Social Workers Without Borders
4. Human Rights – understanding the concept, discussions about the influence of modernism on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, generations of Human Rights, critique of universalism and Human Rights instruments
5. Human Rights – Refugees, Asylum Seekers, IDPs and Statelessness
Assessment 1:
Review of Media Stories due
6. Human Rights and Gender – definition of discrimination against women, impact of globalization and migration, discussion about the gender debate in humanitarian work and gender analysis tools/ frameworks
7. Break week: no classes
8. Human Rights: application and practice and theories of change
9. Professional imperialism and key issues for the future
10. Student presentations of projects Assessment 2a:
Presentations
11. Student presentations of projects Assessment 2a:
Presentations
Assessment 2b:
Written Summary
(for Week 10
Groups’) due
12. Course review
Assessment 2b:
Written Summary
(for Week 11
Groups’) due
13. Self-directed learning
Assessments Requirements
• Students must achieve at least a Pass grade in all assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.
• Please submit your assessment with a completed cover sheet. Assessment cover sheets are available from: http://www.acap.edu.au/current-students/managing-my-course/a-z-forms/
• Please ensure you keep a copy of all assessments submitted. This includes audio visual recordings.
• Students are to inform themselves about plagiarism and copyright rules and requirements.
Assessment 1
Assessment Type Weighting Word Count Week Due
Review of Media
Stories 50% 2,200 words
5
Due Date for Completion:
Week: Sunday, Week 5 by 11:55pm (AEST/AEDT)*
Submission Instructions: Students should submit their assessment online.
*Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)/Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (AEDT). Check your time zone to ensure that you submit your assessment on time. If required, use a time zone converter.
Assessment Details
This assessment asks you to review 3 or more media articles (from digital and/ or hard copies of films/ TV shows/ news reports/ documentary/ YouTube sources) that have a global focus and deal with social issues. After summarising what the main issues were and how they were presented and discussed, reflect on the role of social work and social workers and what, if anything, the profession and its workers could do or did to help this situation.
Students should include the following information in their review of media stories (you can also set your own criteria):
1. What was the story about and where was it located?
2. How hard was it to find? Who is most likely to view/read it?
3. Who were the authors?
4. Who was the targeted audience?
5. What was the aim of doing/ presenting this story?
6. What is the assumed relationship between the subject(s), the presenter/writer, and the viewer/reader? Who has the power to represent, who is doing the gazing, at whom/what, and what are the implicit power issues?
7. What and who was missing from these accounts, what was left unsaid, and who was left unseen/unheard?
8. Who are the owners of the media outlets of the material researched (e.g. Murdoch or Fairfax press, an NGO, etc.).
9. What could/ did social work contribute to the issues?
Assessment 1 Criteria
1. Draws on ability to research material relevant to assessment requirements
2. Draws on ability to analyse material in a concise manner
3. Capacity to write and reference in an appropriately scholarly style, with attention to grammar, punctuation and spelling
4. Demonstrates ability to think and reflect on information gathered
5. Skills in research and reflection
6. Clarity of presentation; writing style direct and organisation
7. Referencing follows APA (7th edition) conventions as set out in academic guide
How to do well in Assessment 1
• Plan ahead and set the dates for gathering material in advance
• Research where you will most likely find material relevant to the assessment
• Decide how you will gather this material/ can anyone help in gathering material and information for your research?
• Keep focused on a particular medium and topic if that helps with keeping your focus clear
Alignment with learning outcomes: 1-3 & 6
Marking Criteria – Assessment 1 – Review of Media Stories
1. Ability to research material relevant to assessment requirements
2. Ability to analyse material in a concise manner
3. Capacity to write and reference in an appropriately scholarly style, with attention to grammar, punctuation and spelling
4. Demonstrates ability to think and reflect critically and globally on information gathered
5. Skills in research and reflection
6. Clarity of presentation; writing style direct and organisation
7. Referencing follows APA (7th edition) conventions as set out in academic guide
Total Mark: /50
Comments:
Assessment 2
Assessment Type Weighting Word Count Week Due
2a: Group
Presentation and mark
30%
One hour, approximately twelve
to fifteen minutes per student, plus 5
minutes facilitated
Q&A at the end of group presentation
Weeks 10 & 11
2b: Group Written Summary (report) 20% 2500 words For Week 10 groups’ written summary to be submitted in
Week 11
For Week 11 groups’ written summary to be submitted in
Week 12
Due Date for Completion:
Presentation: Due in class during Weeks 10 & 11– your group will be assigned a particular week to present.
Written Summary: Due on Weeks 11 to 12, Sunday by 11.55pm (AEST/AEDT)* for all groups. One submission per group.
Submission Instructions: Students should submit their PowerPoint slides and written summary online – one submission per group.
*Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)/Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (AEDT). Check your time zone to ensure that you submit your assessment on time. If required, use a time zone converter.
Assessment Details
This is a group task. Your group will be assigned or choose a country that is experiencing civil war, civil unrest or extreme poverty. You will need to undertake an analysis of the current situation in regards to a socio-political issue such as freedom of movement, child labour, gender-based violence, family separation, environmental impacts, political dissent, child marriage and so on.
Your analysis needs to contain:
1. a clear statement about the issue and its historical origins
2. contextual information including a socio-economic, environmental and political commentary,
3. a discussion about the complexities involved in the resolution of the problems,
4. analysis of the humanitarian agencies’ responses (including at least one UN agency and two International Non-Government Organisations), and
5. the role of social work practice and advocacy in that particular scenario and an example of your groups efforts to contribute the rights of oppressed people there.
Each group will have approximately one hour and five minutes for the presentation.
The presentations will be staged. Your group will present either in week 10 or 11. The due date for the presentations will be announced in class. Please note that if your group is presenting on week 10, the expectation is that you will attend the subsequent weeks (i.e. weeks 11 and 12) to support and participate in your colleagues’ presentations. This expectation is valid for all other presentation weeks.
Assessment Criteria for project presentation: 2a
1. The case study addresses all criteria and demonstrates in-depth knowledge and critical analysis of the topic
2. Presentation engages and includes audience participation. Informed responses to Q&A
3. Analysis of the topic is logically and coherently organised and analysed
4. Offers examples of (potential) social work practice and the group’s efforts to advocate for oppressed people there.
5. References includes substantial use of course material and literature and complies with APA 7
Project Report 2b
Each group will submit a 2500 word Written Summary of the project (report) – one only Written Summary per group, with clear indication of each person’s contribution. 10% group and 10 % individual mark
Assessment criteria for the Written Summary (report): 2b
1. Structured Written Summary of the main points outlined in the presentation
2. Research, analysis, discussion and references to international social work theory
3. Individuals’ contributions to presentation and advocacy are clearly articulated
4. Clarity of expression with attention to grammar, punctuation and spelling
5. Use of at least 10 references cited using APA (7th edition) conventions
How to do well in Assessment 2
• Develop a project plan early with clear tasks assigned
• Meet regularly to keep in touch with tasks and overall goals
• Work out how you will present your findings (i.e. who is responsible for what)
• Make sure you cover all criteria required from this assessment
• Prepare and rehearse presentation with an interactive focus for maximum audience participation
Alignment with learning outcomes: 1-7
Marking Criteria – Assessment 2 – Project Group Presentation and Written Report
2A: Group Presentation
1. Case study addresses demonstrates all criteria and indepth critical knowledge of topic
2. Presentation engages and includes audience participation. Informed responses to Q&A
3. Analysis of topic includes substantial use of course material and literature
4. Offers examples of (potential) social work practice and the group’s efforts to advocate for oppressed people there.
5. References includes substantial use of course material and literature and complies with APA 7
Total Mark: /30
2B: Written Summary (Report) – 2500 words
1. Clearly structured summary of the main points outlined in the presentation
2. Research, analysis, discussion and references to international social work theory
3. Individuals’ contributions to presentation and advocacy
4. Clarity of expression with attention to grammar, punctuation and spelling
5. Use of at least 10 references cited using APA (7th edition) conventions
Total Mark: /20
Comments:
Guidelines for Assessment Criteria
In this course all assessment marks and final grades are determined using a criterion-referenced model. This means that each assessment is marked on a set of criteria, as described in the Tables below. For each task you will see a description of the standard you need to reach to attain a specific level of achievement for a range of criteria. These criteria are clearly linked to the learning outcomes of the subject.
The first table below describes general characteristics of assessments at each achievement level and this is followed by specific marking criteria for each of the assessment tasks for this subject. Using a criterion-referenced model of assessment means that there is no pre-determined grade distribution and your result is entirely dependent on the amount of effort you put in.
Grading
(Please note that not all points will be covered in each assessment task and descriptors are provided as a general guide)
HD High Distinction 85-100 • Clear attainment of all learning outcomes
• Mastery of topic literature, arguments
• Advanced knowledge of the unit content
• Strong on originality
• Very high quality structure and expression, and standard of academic writing
• Extremely high level of intellectual initiative
• APA (6th edition) style of referencing applied consistently and appropriately throughout the assessment and reference list
D Distinction 75-84 • Substantial attainment of most of the learning outcomes
• High level of knowledge of the units content
• High level of intellectual initiative
• High quality structure and expression, and standard of academic writing
• APA (7th edition) style of referencing applied consistently and appropriately throughout the assessment and reference list
C Credit 65-74 • Strong attainment of most of the learning outcomes and/or solid attainment of all of learning outcomes
• Access to multiple literature sources ‘well read’
• Integration of literature and argument
• Clear, well developed argument
• Coherent structure and flow of ideas
• Statements supported by evidence and facts
• APA (7th edition) style of referencing applied consistently and appropriately throughout the assessment and reference list
P Pass 50-64 • Evidence of structure
• Familiarity with some of the relevant literature
• Addresses the topic
• Attempts to analyse – more than simply descriptive
• Demonstration of basic knowledge of concepts being used
• Arguments understandable to audience/reader
F Fail 0-49 • Familiarity with some of the relevant literature
• Addresses the topic
• Attempts to analyse – more than simply descriptive
• Demonstration of basic knowledge of concepts being used
• Arguments understandable to audience / reader
• Little evidence of structure
• APA (7th edition) style of referencing not applied consistently and appropriately throughout the assessment and reference list
Assessment Support and Information
Important and valuable information about completing your assessments can be found on the Student Learning Support website: http://learningsupport.acap.edu.au/
All assessments are to be submitted online through your online class space. You can find more information on the assessment process here: http://www.acap.edu.au/current-students/managingmy-course/assessment-information/higher-education-assessment/
Academic Integrity and Honesty
Ethical conduct and academic integrity and honesty are fundamental to the mission of ACAP. It is your responsibility to make sure you understand the policy on plagiarism in order to avoid engaging in it. Please refer to: http://www.acap.edu.au/assets/CurrentStudents/Managing-My-Course/A-ZPolicies/Academic-Misconduct-Policy.pdf
Assignment extension policy
Extensions of one week will be approved in exceptional situations. Extensions of more than week must be supported by documentary evidence (e.g. Medical certificate). Please refer to the Late Assignment Policy for further information. http://www.acap.edu.au/current-students/managing-my-course/assessment-information/highereducation-assessment/#Late_assignments
