SOWK308-13S2 (C) Semester Two 2013

Social Work Principles and Skills

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 8 July 2013
End Date: Sunday, 10 November 2013
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 21 July 2013
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 6 October 2013

Description

Interpersonal communication and counselling skills are examined using a social work process framework with an emphasis on cultural and strengths perspectives. Skill development must be demonstrated and a pass obtained to progress to fieldwork placements.

The skills course is designed to identify and build the interviewing skills that are generic to any social work field of practice. Throughout the semester students will have the opportunity to read, observe, discuss and demonstrate skills within the framework of the social work process.

The skills paper prepares students for the two fieldwork practice papers in the final year and is an opportunity for students to develop their interpersonal communication.

The skills paper employs a range of teaching techniques including lecture, role plays, video work, and practice exercises.


Goals
To provide an overview of the social work process.

1. To identify and use the micro-counselling skills required for social work practice.
 
2. To practice social work skills using role plays.

3. To establish the role and tasks of social work through case scenarios and observation.

4. To prepare students for placements in the final year.

5. To establish links between social work theory and practice.

Learning Outcomes

  • Social work skills developed to a student-practitioner level of competence standard:

    1.   Working with Maori and tau iwi ethnic and cultural groups in Aotearoa New Zealand

    2.   In accordance with the promotion of :
       
  • the principles of human rights and social justice
       
  • interpersonal and social change
       
  • empowerment and liberation of persons
       
  • problem-solving in human relationships
       
  • professional social work ethics
       
  • professional accountability

    3.   With reference to:
       
  • social work with individuals, families, groups and communities
       
  • theories related to human behaviour and social work intervention

Prerequisites

135 points from required SOWK and HSRV courses, and must meet the minimum requirements for Group B and Group C courses from the BSW degree. 90 points from Group B (elective courses). 15points from Group C (optional courses).

Restrictions

SOWK515, SOWK615

Co-requisites

SOWK301. For students undertaking part time study, SOWK301 together with SOWK308, must be completed in the last two years of study.

Course Coordinator

Jane Maidment

Assessment

Please note:  Students must achieve a pass in Assessment 4 to pass the course.

Assessment 1 (40%)  -  Video Assessment and Self Evaluation
Due:        -   16th August (Video of 20 minutes)
              -   16th August (1500 words of self assessment)
                  Based on the identification of micro skills and evaluation of strengths and areas for
                  development, as seen on your  video interview

                  You are to describe the key aspects of your video and then write about your
                  interviewing ability.  Be specific about what you think you do well and what you
                  think you need to improve on.


Assessment 2 (20%)   -  Participation & Skills Integration
Due:         -  6th September
               -  For attendance at all of the skills sessions you will receive 5%

                 You must take part actively in role plays throughout the course in the roles as
                 client, social worker and observer in equal measure.  Students, throughout the
                 course, need to integrate and demonstrate course content (lecture and reading
                 materials) in their role play demonstrations.  On the 21st September you will each
                 meet with the Lecturers to receive feedback on your performance thus far,
                 suggested areas for development and a grade (worth 15%).


Assessment 3 (40%)  -  Practice Demonstration
To be Held:   -  October 4th and October 11th

                 You must pass this assessment in order to pass the course.  Further details will be
                 provided about practice demonstration once course starts.

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Maidment, J., & Egan, R; Practice Skills in Social Work and Welfare. More than just common sense ; Crows Nest, NSW.: Allen & Unwin, 2009.

Notes

Where to post assignments:
Online as advised and/or the Essay box on level 1, Psychology-Sociology Building. It is important to ensure you understand whether a hardcopy is required, so check your instructions for every submission. All submissions require our coversheets.

Where to collect marked assignments:
Online as advised or from your Tutor/Lecturer.

Attendance at all skills sessions is compulsory because they are considered an integral aspect of a student’s learning in social work. Teaching, discussion and practice exercises are all intended to inform and extend students’ understanding of micro skills and communication in the context of the social work process.  For example, a scheduling conflict with another course or work is not considered justifiable reason for a student to miss class, leave early, or arrive late. If there are extenuating circumstances that cause a student to miss a skills session, contact must be made with the course coordinator preferably prior to class.  Failure to meet these requirements may result in a fail for the course.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,288.00

International fee $5,600.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Limited Entry Course

Maximum enrolment is 40

For further information see School of Health Sciences .

All SOWK308 Occurrences

  • SOWK308-13S2 (C) Semester Two 2013