Overview
Organisations are encountered on a daily basis and impact on the lives of the people and communities with who social workers work. 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 - 2020
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 Have Your Say quantitative data
Lack of clarity about requirements of assessment tasks.
Create direct links to ALC documents and resources on the main Moodle page relevent to assessment tasks. Provide more information about the assessment tasks and include a greater number of assessment types with one assignment to be submitted earlier in the term to allow for any concerns with student's written ability to be identified earlier than previously.
Feedback from Have Your Say qualitative feedback
Better use of Zoom teaching.
Convene Zoom meetings earlier than scheduled in this unit and ensure they are recorded to facilitate flexible learning.
- 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
- Evaluate 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 - Online discussion forum - 15% | ||||
| 2 - Report - 35% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
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 - Online discussion forum - 15% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Report - 35% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Working in human service organisations: A critical introduction
(1992)
Authors: Jones, A & May, J
Pearson Australia
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780582712713
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Copies are available for purchase at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- ZOOM
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
g.brown@cqu.edu.au
p.munn@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to the unit &
organisational practice
Chapter
Carefully read the unit profile
and familiarise yourself with the
Moodle site.
Introduce yourself to your peers
in the Group Discussion forum.
Chapter 1 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to
access the topic's lecture and
additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Organisational theory
Chapter
Chapter 2 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to access
the topic's lecture and additional
resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The organisational environment
Chapter
Chapter 4 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to access
the topic's lecture and additional
resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Organisational purpose and
goals
Chapter
Chapter 3 & 5 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to access
the topic's lecture and additional
resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Human service organisation technology
Chapter
Chapter 3 pp. 86-92 Jones & May
text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to access
the topic's lecture and additional
resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Previous Chapters recommended
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Organisational culture
Chapter
Chapter 7 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to access
the topic's lecture and additional
resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Organisations and workers
Chapter
Chapter 8 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to
access the topic's lecture and
additional resources.
Week
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Organisations and clients
Chapter
Chapter 9 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to access
the topic's lecture and additional
resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Organisations and change
Chapter
Chapter 10 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to access
the topic's lecture and additional
resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Beyond the managerialist agenda
Chapter
Chapter 11 Jones & May text
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit Moodle site to access
the topic's lecture and additional
resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Developing your organisational
practice
Chapter
Visit the Weekly Study Schedule
on the unit 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 Online discussion forum
This assessment requires you to demonstrate your understanding of an online question that will be posted on Moodle. You will need to make an online forum post in response to this question. Your posting needs to thoughtfully address the question. The posting should provide a brief outline of the information you have gathered, together with your own opinion or viewpoint.
Your post will also need to be uploaded as a word document for Turnitin and marking.
Word Count: 750 words
Week 4 Friday (3 Apr 2020) 4:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (24 Apr 2020)
| HD (85-100) | D (75-84) | C (65-74) | P (50-64) | F (0-49) | Grade | |
| Postings well researched and considered answers to the online question (30%) | Demonstrates a thorough understanding | Demonstrates a good understanding | Demonstrates an adequate understanding | Demonstrates a limited understanding | Fails to demonstrate an understanding | 25 |
| Synthesis and integration of literature and unit material within the posting (30%) | Consistently integrates up-to-date literature to support and reflect all ideas and factual information | Generally integrates up-to-date literature to support and reflect all ideas and factual information with 1 or 2 exceptions | Generally integrates up-to-date literature to support and reflect all ideas and factual information with 3 or 4 exceptions | Occasionally integrates up-to-date literature to support and reflect all ideas and factual information with 5 or 6 exceptions | Fails of infrequently attempts to integrate up-to-date literature to support and reflect all ideas and factual information | 25 |
| Clear written expression and correct spelling (25%) | Consistently accurate with spelling and grammar | 1-2 errors with spelling and grammar | 3-4 errors with spelling and grammar | 5-6 errors with spelling and grammar | Many consistent errors with spelling and grammar | 25 |
| Adequate and appropriate referencing (15%) | Excellent and appropriate referencing | Very good and appropriate referencing with 1-2 errors | Good referencing with 3-4 errors | Adequate referencing with 5-6 errors | Inadequate and inappropriate referencing | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
- 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
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies, consistent with professional values and ethics, for the resolution of dilemmas in organisational practice contexts.
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
2 Report
In this assessment, you are asked to demonstrate a theoretical understanding of organisational theoretical models and the knowledge and skills for professional social work practice. You are asked to identify and describe two theoretical perspectives of organisational analysis and describe their relevancy and appropriateness in human service practice. This should incorporate social work values and ethics, and working with Aboriginal and Strait Islander Peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. While it is recommended that Jones and May (1992) be used as a key reference to support your ideas, you are required to demonstrate broader research and reading on this topic.
Word Count: 1500 words
Week 8 Friday (8 May 2020) 4:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Friday (22 May 2020)
| HD (85-100) | D (75-84) | C (65-74) | P (50-64) | F (0-49) | Grade | |
| Demonstrates knowledge of organisational theoretical models (30%) | Advanced knowledge demonstrated | Comprehensive demonstration of knowledge | Detailed demonstration of knowledge | Adequate demonstration of knowledge | Inadequate or inappropriate demonstration | 30 |
| Demonstrates knowledge of organisational concepts and theories. Describe their relevancy and appropriateness to human service practice, social work values and ethics, and working with Aboriginal and Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (25%) | Advanced knowledge of the theories and their relevance to human service practice, social work values and ethics, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse cultural backgrounds | Comprehensive knowledge of the theories and their relevance to human service practice, social work values and ethics, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse cultural backgrounds | A good level of detailed knowledge of the theories and their relevance to human service practice, social work values and ethics, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse cultural backgrounds | An adequate knowledge of the theories and their relevance to human service practice, social work values and ethics, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse cultural backgrounds | Inadequate or inappropriate knowledge of the theories and their relevance to human service practice, social work values and ethics, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse cultural backgrounds | 25 |
| Identifies the limitations and usefulness of each theory and the strategies and or considerations social workers would need to employ as a result of these. (25%) | Excellent identification of limitations and uses along with strategies and considerations | Very good identification of limitations and uses along with strategies and considerations | Good identification of limitations and uses along with strategies and considerations | Adequate identification of limitations and uses along with strategies and considerations | Inadequate or inappropriate identification of limitations and uses along with strategies and considerations | 25 |
| Clear written expression and correct spelling (10%) | Consistently accurate with spelling and grammar | 1-2 errors with spelling and grammar | 3-4 errors with spelling and grammar | 5-6 errors with spelling and grammar | Many consistent errors with spelling and grammar | 10 |
| Adequate and appropriate referencing (10%) | Excellent and appropriate referencing | Very good and appropriate referencing with 1-2 errors | Good referencing with 3-4 errors | Adequate referencing with 5-6 errors | Inadequate and inappropriate referencing | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
- 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
- Evaluate the appropriateness of organisational models for different cultural contexts including working in Indigenous contexts
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
3 Written Assessment
This assessment is designed to develop your understanding of organisational analysis and knowledge of organisational structures and processes. You have been asked to present an analysis of a non-government organisation. You are to write an essay demonstrating your understanding of the organisation’s processes and structures.
Your essay should include:
- A background of the organisation, the organisation’s philosophy, mission statement, values, goals, structure, environment, technology, culture and theory informing the organisation.
- An analysis of limitations and potential in delivering human service organisational goals and social work objectives and values
- The identification and evaluation of factors that support and challenge the organisation in its achievement of the organisational philosophy and goals and the impact of these on services, staff and service users (paying particular attention to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples)
- The skills, strategies, knowledge and the congruence of professional values and ethics with the organisational values and ethics
Word count: 2000 words
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020) 4:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (19 June 2020)
| HD (85-100) | D (75-84) | C (65-74) | P (50-64) | F (0-49) | Grade | |
| Clearly presents and analyses the key aspects of the chosen organisation. (20%) | Advanced analysis and presentation of key aspects of chosen organisation | Comprehensive analysis and presentation of key aspects of chosen organisation | Detailed analysis and presentation of key aspects of chosen organisation | Adequate or basic understanding and presentation of key aspects of chosen organisation | Inadequate or inappropriate presentation and analysis of key aspects of chosen organisation | 20 |
| Demonstrates how the key organisational aspects are integrated and reflected in the delivery of human services and align with social work values and ethics (20%) | Advanced understanding of how key aspects are integrated and reflected in human service delivery and align with social work values and ethics | Comprehensive understanding of how key aspects are integrated and reflected in human service delivery and align with social work values and ethics | Detailed understanding of how key aspects are integrated and reflected in human service delivery and align with social work values and ethics | Adequate or basic understanding of how key aspects are integrated and reflected in human service delivery and align with social work values and ethics | Inaccurate or inappropriate understanding of how key aspects are integrated and reflected in human service delivery and align with social work values and ethics | 20 |
| Identifies and evaluates factors that support and challenge the organisation in its achievement of the organisational philosophy and goals and social work values and ethics, and the impact of these on service delivery, staff and services users, including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities (20%) | Advanced evaluation | Comprehensive evaluation | Detailed evaluation | Adequate/basic evaluation | Inadequate or inappropriate evaluation | 20 |
| Identifies organisational skills, strategies and knowledge for social work practice and professional self-care in the chosen human service organisations. (20%) | Identification of a wide range of pertinent skills, knowledge, and innovative strategies for future professional practice | Identification of a range of necessary skills and knowledge, and useful strategies for future professional practice | Identification of relevant skills, strategies and knowledge for future professional practice | Adequate identification of skills, strategies and knowledge for future professional practice | Inadequate or inappropriate identification of skills, strategies and knowledge for future practice | 20 |
| Clear written expression and correct spelling (10%) | Consistently accurate with spelling and grammar | 1-2 errors with spelling and grammar | 3-4 errors with spelling and grammar | 5-6 errors with spelling and grammar | Many consistent errors with spelling and grammar | 10 |
| Adequate and appropriate referencing (10%) | Excellent and appropriate referencing | Very good and appropriate referencing with 1-2 errors | Good referencing with 3-4 errors | Adequate referencing with 5-6 errors | Inadequate and inappropriate referencing | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
- 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 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
- 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.
What can you do to act with integrity?
