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Overview

Course Prescription

An in-depth examination of theoretical perspectives, skills and approaches in social work practice related to interpersonal work with individuals, families and groups living through challenging situations. Content will include a critical engagement with contemporary literature and the examination of evidence-informed interventions and critically reflective strategies that help guide professional practice in collaborative and safe environments.

Course Overview

This interactive and dynamic course places a strong emphasis on relational practice encouraging students to build meaningful  connections that are inclusive and respectful of cultural and other forms of diversity.  Students will explore a range of theoretical perspectives relevant to social work to help understand how theories apply to and shape practice. Students will reflect on their own cultural identities and biases, fostering a deeper understanding of how these influence their practice. Through guided role play exercises and real-time feedback, students will develop and refine their skills, promoting both practice competency and relational proficiency.

Workload Expectations

Each semester is the equivalent of a standard 15-point course. Students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course in which they are enrolled.

For the first part of this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures and tutorials per week over 12 weeks, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 40 hours of work on assignments and assessment preparation. Some weekly class time will be dedicated to role-play practice but students are expected to practise these skills outside of class on an ongoing basis throughout the course.

For the second part of this course, you can expect 12 hours of lectures and tutorials per week over 3 weeks, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 40 hours of work on assignments  per week.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Prerequisite

Additional Advice on Prerequisites

To complete this course students must enrol in SOCWORK 721 A and B

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete the required components of the course.

The course will not include live online events.

The activities for the course are scheduled as weekly lectures for 721a and block delivery of lectures for 721b of two full days per week for three weeks.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

A list and links to required and recommended course readings will be available on Canvas in the relevant module.Class recordings (where available) will be linked into to the relevant module on Canvas.Lecture slides for each week will be available on Canvas no later than the morning of the lecture.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Other Information

Please note that a minimum of 80% attendance is required for SOCWORK 721a and 721b for students to develop knowledge of theory and practice skills. Attendance falling below this requirement will jeopardise the ability to pass the course. Students must also pass all assessment requirements for 721a to be eligible to progress into 721b.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

To pass this course you must submit all assessents, achieve a minimum 50% pass for the Practice Demonstration assessment, and a minimum overall course mark of 50%.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type123456

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Based on student feedback in 2024, the following adjustments have been made to course content and assessments:

  • Added a formative assessment to 721a
  • Revised 721a content to increase the focus on Maturanga Māori subject matter
  • Revised assessments for 721b to ensure the requirements and marking criteria are clear and accessible
  • Revised reading list to match refreshed content

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.