Overview
Organisations are encountered on a daily basis and impact on the lives of the people and communities human service workers work with. There are a range of variations and types of human service organisations located within the social, political and cultural context that provide a vehicle for the implementation of policy and provision of human services by the welfare state. With social work practice predominantly taking place in and shaped by organisational context, developing an effective organisational practice is critical to the achievement of the aims and values of the social work profession. In this unit you will develop knowledge of different organisational theoretical models to facilitate your ability to analyse and creatively consider organisational and system change and development, and apply strategies to promote social and welfare work values of social justice and realise the equality of opportunity in the provision of services to clients.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Successful completion of 48 credit points in any course.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation.
Students enjoyed the ability to apply their reading and learning in the unit to the 'real world' through the research and study of local human service organisation.
Retain assessment tasks that support students to make connections between organisational theory, knowledge, and skills with direct practice.
- Research and analyse different organisational theoretical models within the context of broader sociological theories of social systems and change, and apply those models to human service organisations
- Analyse a range of variations of organisational types and context, and evaluate their relative limitations and potential in delivering human service organisational goals and social work objectives and values
- Identify the appropriateness of organisational models for different cultural contexts including working in Indigenous contexts.
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies, consistent with professional values and ethics, for the resolution of dilemmas in organisational practice contexts
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
2 - Presentation - 30% | ||||
3 - Written Assessment - 30% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Communication | ||||
2 - Problem Solving | ||||
3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
4 - Information Literacy | ||||
5 - Team Work | ||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
8 - Ethical practice | ||||
9 - Social Innovation | ||||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
2 - Presentation - 30% | ||||||||||
3 - Written Assessment - 30% |
Textbooks
Working in Human Service Organisations: A critical introduction
(1992)
Authors: Jones, A. & May, J.
Pearson Education Australia
Frenchs Forest Frenchs Forest , NSW , Australia
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
d.wallace@cqu.edu.au
p.munn@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to the course & organisational practice
Chapter
Carefully read the course profile and familiarise yourself with the course Moodle site. Introduce yourself to your peers in the Group Discussion forum.
Chapter 1 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly topic collaborate session in Zoom. Click on the Zoom Session link on the course Moodle site to locate the dates and times of weekly topic and assessment collaborate sessions.
Module/Topic
Organisational theory
Chapter
Chapter 2 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
No weekly topic collaborate session.
Module/Topic
The organisational environment
Chapter
Chapter 4 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Q & A collaborate session in Zoom.
Module/Topic
Organisational purpose and goals
Chapter
Chapter 3 & 5 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly topic collaborate session in Zoom.
Module/Topic
Human service organisation technology
Chapter
Chapter 3 pp. 86-92 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly topic collaborate session in Zoom.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Organisations and structure
Chapter
Chapter 6 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Q & A collaborate session in Zoom.
Module/Topic
Organisational culture
Chapter
Chapter 7 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly topic collaborate session in Zoom.
Organisational theory and practice Due: Week 7 Friday (27 Apr 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Organisations and workers
Chapter
Chapter 8 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly topic collaborate session in Zoom.
Module/Topic
Organisations and clients
Chapter
Chapter 9 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Organisational Presentation Due: Week 9 Monday (7 May 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Organisations and change
Chapter
Chapter 10 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3 Q & A collaborate session in Zoom.
Module/Topic
Beyond the managerialist agenda
Chapter
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's lecture and additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Final weekly topic collaborate session in Zoom.
Module/Topic
Developing your organisational practice
Chapter
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule on the course Moodle site to access the topic's resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment is designed to develop students' theoretical understanding of organisational practice and highlight the knowledge and skills required for organisational practice in human services.
Product
According to Jones and May (1992) 'social and welfare work as practised in Australia is an organisational as well as a professional activity'. They argue that organisations are central in determining and influencing almost every aspect of professional practice.
In essay format with reference to the first two chapters of Jones and May (1992) and course readings students are required to compare and contrast two of the theoretical perspectives presented regarding organisational analysis and explore this statement with reference to social work practice. Your paper needs to include;
- A description of how organisational contexts influence social work practice. This description should consider the influence of social, political, policy and cultural contexts on human services.
- A description of each theoretical perspective.
- The similarities and differences between the two perspectives.
- The relevancy and appropriateness of each perspective to human service practice and social work values and ethics.
- The appropriateness of each perspective to human services working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- The limitations and usefulness of each perspective and any considerations or strategies social workers might then employ as a result of these.
While the Jones and May (1992) chapters are central to this paper, you are required to demonstrate broader reading and research on this topic. Appropriate referencing (Harvard) is required.
Word Limit
2000 words (excluding references and appendices). You must remain within 10% of the word limit (maximum 1% of the mark will be deducted for every 100 words over or below).
Week 7 Friday (27 Apr 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Upload to moodle
Week 9 Monday (7 May 2018)
Return via moodle two business weeks post submission
- Applies knowledge of organisational contexts and its influence on social work practice in discussion.
- Appliesknowledge of organisational concepts and theories in discussion. Compares and contrasts two organisational theories and describes the relevancy and appropriateness of these to human service practice, social work values and ethics, and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- Explains and compares the limitations and usefulness of each theory and the strategies and or considerations social workers would need to employ as a result of these.
- Well written and structured essay within the word limit with correct grammar, spelling (Macquarie), punctuation and referencing (Harvard) is evident.
- Research and analyse different organisational theoretical models within the context of broader sociological theories of social systems and change, and apply those models to human service organisations
- Analyse a range of variations of organisational types and context, and evaluate their relative limitations and potential in delivering human service organisational goals and social work objectives and values
- Identify the appropriateness of organisational models for different cultural contexts including working in Indigenous contexts.
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies, consistent with professional values and ethics, for the resolution of dilemmas in organisational practice contexts
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Presentation
This assessment is designed to develop students' knowledge of human service organisations' processes and structures.
Role of Student
You are a social work student researching and analysing a human service organisation in your community that employs social workers. Drawing on your developing understanding of organisational theory and practice this term, present a 7-9 minute presentation on a human service organisation of your choice based on your personal/professional areas of interest from the list below.
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander support
- Migrant & Refugee support
- Domestic Violence
- Disability
- Child & Family support
- Community Development
- Mental Health
It must be a non-government organisation; however funding could be provided by government or non-government sources. Your presentation needs to provide an overview of the organisation and its key aspects drawing on topics and readings studied this term in organisational practice for human services, together with your own research and reading of the chosen organisation. This might include researching and analysing the organisation's website and publications, followed by a short structured interview with a social worker in the organisation. Please note: An interview with a social worker is only a suggestion and not an assessment requirement, acknowledging student and organisational contexts that might make this impracticable. Prior to directly contacting an organisation students are required to carefully read the Student Preparation for Organisational Contact document located on the course Moodle site.
Product - Presentation in Zoom
Your organisational presentation should include:
- A background of the organisation, the organisation's philosophy, mission statements, values, goals, structure, environment, technology, culture, and theory informing the organisation. Your presentation will form the background and introduction of your Assessment 3 - Organisational Analysis.
- The role of social workers in the organisation and how it aligns with professional values and ethics.
- As a conclusion include a brief reflection of your research to date and the aspects of the organisation and or role of social workers that were surprising and or a particular interest to you.
- An engaging and professional PowerPoint as visual aide to the presentation. You are required to submit your PowerPoint presentation to Moodle the day before your presentation.
Presentation
- Presentations will take place in week 9. Students are required to register for a presentation session time on Moodle. Session dates and times will be made available on Moodle in week 3. There will be a maximum number of presentations allocated to each session time. Students are expected to remain for the duration of all student presentations in the session time. Presentations will be recorded for marking purposes only.
- Students are able to work in pairs or groups of three for this assessment task and prepare a joint presentation and PowerPoint submission. In choosing this option students are responsible for organising and coordinating the student partnership and notifying the course coordinator by email. Students are advised to carefully read suggestions for working in groups located on Moodle. Please note: Assessment 3 is an individual student submission.
- Presentations will be 7-9 minutes in duration. All presentations must remain within this time range or penalties will apply (maximum 1% of the mark will be deducted for every minute below or over the time range).
- Students are required to submit their PowerPoint presentation on Moodle by 5 pm AEST the day before their presentation.
- Further instructions on this assessment task including presenting in Zoom will be provided by the course coordinator on Moodle and in an Assessment 2 Q & A Zoom session.
Week 9 Monday (7 May 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Presentations will take place in week 9. Students register their presentation session time on Moodle. Students will upload their PowerPoint presentation on Moodle by 5 pm AEST the day before their presentation in Zoom.
Feedback returned via Moodle within two business weeks of presentation
- Applies organisational concepts clearly in presentation using examples drawn from the chosen human service organisation.
- Interprets the role of social workers in the chosen organisation and how it aligns with professional values and ethics.
- Details reflective practice focussed on findings and leading to key insights and conclusions gained from research of the chosen human service organisation and the implications for social work practice within it.
- Clear verbal communication used to apply organisational knowledge within designated time range. Produces a PowerPoint presentation as a visual communication with correct grammar, spelling (Macquarie), punctuation and referencing (Harvard) evident.
- Research and analyse different organisational theoretical models within the context of broader sociological theories of social systems and change, and apply those models to human service organisations
- Analyse a range of variations of organisational types and context, and evaluate their relative limitations and potential in delivering human service organisational goals and social work objectives and values
- Identify the appropriateness of organisational models for different cultural contexts including working in Indigenous contexts.
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies, consistent with professional values and ethics, for the resolution of dilemmas in organisational practice contexts
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
This assessment is designed to develop student's analysis of organisational context, processes, structures and practice.
Product
In report format you will build on your organisational presentation in Assessment 2 and provide an analysis of your chosen organisation that includes:
- A background and introduction of the organisation that details the key aspects of the organisation. It is expected this section of the report will be drawn from your Assessment 2 presentation.
- An analysis of how the key aspects of the organisation are integrated and reflected in the organisation's delivery of human services, and align with social work values and ethics.
- The identification and evaluation of factors that support and challenge the organisation in its achievement of the organisational philosophy and goals and social work and ethics, and the impact of these on services, staff and service users, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples and communities. This analysis should include an understanding of the social, political, policy and cultural context influencing organisational and professional practice.
- The skills, strategies and knowledge required of social workers to work effectively in this organisational context.
- Strategies necessary for professional self-care in this organisational context.
Please note: Resources on report writing can be located on the course Moodle site. Additionally the course coordinator will provide further instructions about this assessment task in an Assessment 3 Q & A collaborate session.
Word Limit
1500 - 2000 words (excluding references and appendices). You must remain within 10% of the word limit (maximum 1% of the overall mark will be deducted for every 100 words over or below).
Appropriate referencing (Harvard) is required.
Week 12 Friday (1 June 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Upload to Moodle
Two business weeks pos submission
- Clearly describes and analyses the key aspects of the chosen organisation.
- Application of organisational characteristics and its alignment or with, or not, social work values and ethical practice.
- Identifies and interprets the organisational characteristics and the impact of these on staff and service users, services and programs delivered, and specifically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
- Applies organisational knowledge to list suggested social work, professional self-care in the chosen human service organisation.
- Clarity of written communication and structured submission that is informed by quality literature and research evident
- Word limit with correct grammar, spelling (Macquarie), punctuation and referencing (Harvard) evident.
- Research and analyse different organisational theoretical models within the context of broader sociological theories of social systems and change, and apply those models to human service organisations
- Analyse a range of variations of organisational types and context, and evaluate their relative limitations and potential in delivering human service organisational goals and social work objectives and values
- Identify the appropriateness of organisational models for different cultural contexts including working in Indigenous contexts.
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies, consistent with professional values and ethics, for the resolution of dilemmas in organisational practice contexts
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.