SOWK13014 Contemporary Social Policy
Contemporary Social Policy
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The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction
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Assessment Tasks
1 Online Quiz(zes)
Assessment Title
Three Online Quizzes: Each worth 10% of the final grade
Task Description
Each quiz will comprise 10 multiple choice or True and False questions drawn from a question pool.
Each quiz will be time limited to 20 minutes.
Each students will have one attempt.
The quiz will be available to students for five days, but once the quiz is opened, it is limited to 20 minutes.
Quiz questions will be drawn from the weekly required readings and the lectures.
Quiz One will cover content from weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and be held at the end of week 4.
Quiz Two will cover content from weeks 5, 6, 7 and be held at the end week 7.
Quiz Three will cover content from weeks 8, 9,10,11 and be held at the end of week 11.
Number of Quizzes
3
Frequency of Quizzes
Other
Assessment Due Date
The quizzes are due end of Weeks 4, 7, 11.
Return Date to Students
Results returned post quiz submission in week 4, 7, 11.
Weighting
30%
Assessment Criteria
Not applicable
Referencing Style
Submission
Online
Learning Outcomes Assessed
- Analyse the historical development of social policy in Australia and the wider international context of social policy
- Evaluate the inherent value-judgements associated with social policy development and implementation
- Evaluate theories of policy development as they apply to social policy making in Australia.
Graduate Attributes
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
2 Essay
Assessment Title
Policy Analysis, 1,500 words
Task Description
Assessment 2 - Policy Analysis, 1,500 words
Type: Written Assessment
Due Date: Week 6 Friday (26 Aug 2022) 5:45 pm AEST
Weighting: 35%
Length: 1500 words
Unit Coordinator: Helen Hickson
Aim
The aim of this assessment is to enhance your understanding of social policy analyse in relation to social work values.
Instructions
Your task is to choose one social policy topic and critically analyse the policy in relation to social work values and giving consideration to the AASW (2020) Code of Ethics.
Suggested social policy topic areas are:
• Immigration policy
• Child Protection policy
• Family Violence policy
• Education policy
• Indigenous health policy
• Housing policy
• Homelessness policy
Within your chosen field of practice, you are also required to analyse the ethical issues that may present when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The essay must make reference to the literature. You are expected to refer to the unit readings and undertake independent reading.
Please follow the steps below to complete your assessment task
Choose a field of practice from the dot points above and produce a written essay that addresses the following:
• The history of the policy in terms of welfare state arrangements, changed social contexts and shifting political ideological influences.
• How the problem is currently understood within the policy and the nature of the evidence and values underpinning the policy problem and solution.
• The main elements and strategies of the proposed policy and how they are assumed to address the problem.
• Your evaluation of the policy in relation to its contribution to social justice.
Length
The expected length for this assessment is 1500 words (excluding references and appendices). The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Literature and references
In this assessment use at least 10 relevant references to support your discussion. You may also use seminal scholarly literature where relevant. Suitable references include peer-reviewed journal articles as well as textbooks and credible websites. When sourcing information, consider the 5 elements of a quality reference: currency, authority, relevance, objectivity, and coverage. Grey literature sourced from the internet must be from reputable websites such as from government, university, or peak national bodies: for example, the Australian College of Nursing or the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Requirements
• Use a conventional and legible size 12 font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with 1.5 line spacing and 2.54cm page margins (standard pre-set margin in Microsoft Word)
• Include page numbers on each page in a footer.
• Write in the third-person perspective.
• Use formal academic language.
• Use the Harvard referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online Harvard Referencing Style Guide.
• Penalties will apply for late submissions as per CQUniversity assessment procedure.
Resources
• You can use unit provided materials and other credible sources (e.g. journal articles, books) to reference your argument. The quality and credibility of your sources are important.
• We recommend that you access your discipline specific library guide: the Social Work and Community Services Guide.
• For information on academic communication please go to the Academic Learning Centre Moodle site. The Academic Communication section has many helpful resources including information for students with English as a second language.
• Submit a draft before the due date to review your Turnitin Similarity Score before making a final submission. Instructions are available here.
Learning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Due Date
Week 6 Friday (26 Aug 2022) 5:45 pm AEST
Return Date to Students
Week 8 Friday (9 Sept 2022)
Via Moodle
Weighting
35%
Assessment Criteria
SOWK13014: Policy Analysis
Assessment Two
| HD 84.5-100% | D 74.5-84.49% | C 64.50-74.49% | P 49.50-64.49% | F <49.5% | MARKS |
| Presentation and Structure – overall submission (10%) | |||||
| Excellent discussion which completely conforms to the Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment cover page including name, student number, and word count. Correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs. Correct headings throughout submission. Introduction and Conclusion have been written. Within expected word length. | Discussion mostly conforms to the Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment title page including name, student number, and word count. Correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs. Correct headings throughout submission Introduction and conclusion have been written. Within expected word limit. | Discussion adequately conforms to the: Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment title page including name, student number, and word count. Mostly correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs, content can occasionally be difficult to follow or understand. Correct headings throughout submission Introduction and conclusion have been written. Within expected word limit. | Discussion occasionally conforms to the: Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment title page including name, student number, and word count. Somewhat correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs, content often, can be difficult to follow or understand. Correct headings throughout submission Introduction and conclusion have been written. Within/exceeds expected word limit. | Discussion unsuccessfully conforms to the: Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment title page including name, student number, and word count. Poor spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs, making content difficult to read or follow. Correct headings not used or occasionally used throughout submission. Introduction and conclusion have been included. Deviates from expected word limit. | ........./10 |
| |||||
| Demonstrated understanding of the historical development of the policy and its location in broader values and trends in Australian welfare provision…………….(20%) | |||||
| Excellent demonstration of understanding of the historical development of the chosen policy and its location in broader values and trends in Australia welfare provision. | Very good demonstration of understanding of the historical development of the chosen policy and its location in broader values and trends in Australia welfare provision. | Good demonstration of understanding of the historical development of the chosen policy and its location in broader values and trends in Australia welfare provision . | Fair demonstration of understanding of the historical development of the chosen policy and its location in broader values and trends in Australia welfare provision. | Poor or no demonstration of understanding of the historical development of the chosen policy and its location in broader values and trends in Australia welfare provision . | ........../20 |
| Demonstrated critical understanding of the policy problem, policy elements and policy strategy ……..(20%) | |||||
| Excellent demonstrated critical understanding of the policy problem, policy elements and policy strategy. | Very good demonstrated critical understanding of the policy problem, policy elements and policy strategy. | Good demonstrated critical understanding of the policy problem, policy elements and policy strategy. | Fair demonstrated critical understanding of the policy problem, policy elements and policy strategy. | Poor or no demonstrated critical understanding of the policy problem, policy elements and policy strategy. | ........../20 |
| Demonstrated understanding of social justice……………………………………………………………………………… .. (20%) | |||||
| Excellent demonstrated understanding of social justice. | Very good demonstrated understanding of social justice. | Good demonstrated understanding of social justice. | Fair demonstrated understanding of social justice. | Poor or no demonstrated understanding of social justice. | ………./20 |
| Depth of analysis and use of literature ……………………………………………………………………………………………. …(20%) | |||||
| Excellent analysis and use of literature. | Very good analysis and use of literature. | Good analysis and use of literature. | Fair analysis and use of literature. | Poor or no demonstration of analysis and use of literature. | ……../20 |
| Referencing …………………………………………………………………………………………………….(10%) | |||||
| All literature used is appropriate and scholarly. Minimum of 10 references Harvard referencing formatted used with no mistakes. | Most of the literature used is appropriate and scholarly. Minimum of 8 references. Harvard referencing formatted used with minimal. mistakes | Most of the literature used is appropriate and scholarly. Minimum of 6 references. Harvard referencing formatted used with some mistakes. | Some of literature used is appropriate and scholarly. Minimum of 5 references Harvard referencing formatted used with many mistake | Most of the literature used is inappropriate and not from a scholarly source. Harvard referencing formatted not used. Less than 5 references | ……./10 |
| TOTAL MARKS | |||||
Referencing Style
Submission
Online
Submission Instructions
submit via moodle turn it in assessment upload point
Learning Outcomes Assessed
- Analyse the historical development of social policy in Australia and the wider international context of social policy
- Evaluate the inherent value-judgements associated with social policy development and implementation
- Critically reflect on social policies that are relevant to the human services
Graduate Attributes
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
3 Written Assessment
Assessment Title
Policy Brief 2,000 words
Task Description
Assessment 3 Policy Brief, 2000 words
Type: Written Assessment
Due Date: Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 5:45 pm AEST
Weighting: 35%
Length: 2000 words
Unit Coordinator: Helen Hickson
Aim
The aim of this assessment is to analyse a social policy and prepare a policy brief that describes the policy, analyses the policy and identifies the aspects of the policy that you think need to be changed.
Instructions
This assessment requires you to select a social policy in Australia that is Commonwealth Government policy. You will explore and analyse the policy in relation to the political, social and economic context and impacts on client populations and social work practice. You will prepare a written essay that critically analyses the policy in relation to your knowledge about the political and rational processes of policy development. Your discussion needs to describe the strengths and limitations of the policy and what aspects of the policy you think need to be changed,
Please follow the steps below to complete your assessment task
• Briefly describe the social policy
• Locate the policy in the institutions of Australian Government, including the minister(s) and department(s) responsible, policy decision makers, policy players, policy coalitions and networks who have influence in the policy field.
• Discuss the policy, noting where different stakeholders and networks have different views and different values. What are the strengths and limitations of the policy?
• Identify the aspects of the policy that you think need to be changed. What evidence or literature is there to support this change?
• Discuss how this policy connects with social work values and social work practice. Does the AASW have a position statement about this policy?
Length
The expected length for this assessment is 2000 words (excluding references and appendices). The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Literature and references
In this assessment use at least 10 relevant references to support your discussion. You may also use seminal scholarly literature where relevant. Suitable references include peer-reviewed journal articles as well as textbooks and credible websites. When sourcing information, consider the 5 elements of a quality reference: currency, authority, relevance, objectivity, and coverage. Grey literature sourced from the internet must be from reputable websites such as from government, university, or peak national bodies: for example, the Australian College of Nursing or the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Requirements
• Use a conventional and legible size 12 font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with 1.5 line spacing and 2.54cm page margins (standard pre-set margin in Microsoft Word)
• Include page numbers on each page in a footer.
• Write in the third-person perspective.
• Use formal academic language.
• ·Use the Harvard referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online Harvard Referencing Style Guide.
• Penalties will apply for late submissions as per CQUniversity assessment procedure.
Resources
• You can use unit provided materials and other credible sources (e.g. journal articles, books) to reference your argument. The quality and credibility of your sources are important.
• We recommend that you access your discipline specific library guide: the Social Work and Community Services Guide.
• For information on academic communication please go to the Academic Learning Centre Moodle site. The Academic Communication section has many helpful resources including information for students with English as a second language.
• Submit a draft before the due date to review your Turnitin Similarity Score before making a final submission. Instructions are available here.
Learning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Due Date
Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 5:45 pm AEST
Return Date to Students
Online in Moodle.
Weighting
35%
Assessment Criteria
| HD 84.5-100% | D 74.5-84.49% | C 64.50-74.49% | P 49.50-64.49% | F <49.5% | MARKS |
| Presentation and Structure – overall submission (10%) | |||||
| Excellent discussion which completely conforms to the Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment cover page including name, student number, and word count. Correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs. Correct headings throughout submission. Introduction and Conclusion have been written. Within expected word length. | Discussion mostly conforms to the Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment title page including name, student number, and word count. Correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs. Correct headings throughout submission Introduction and conclusion have been written. Within expected word limit. | Discussion adequately conforms to the: Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment title page including name, student number, and word count. Mostly correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs, content can occasionally be difficult to follow or understand. Correct headings throughout submission Introduction and conclusion have been written. Within expected word limit. | Discussion occasionally conforms to the: Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment title page including name, student number, and word count. Somewhat correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs, content often, can be difficult to follow or understand. Correct headings throughout submission Introduction and conclusion have been written. Within/exceeds expected word limit. | Discussion unsuccessfully conforms to the: Assignment Presentation guidelines. Assignment title page including name, student number, and word count. Poor spelling, grammar, sentence structure and paragraphs, making content difficult to read or follow. Correct headings not used or occasionally used throughout submission. Introduction and conclusion have been included. Deviates from expected word limit. | ........./10 |
| Demonstrated understanding of the social policy and the political institutions involved in policy making……………………… 20% | |||||
| Excellent demonstration of understanding of the political institutions involved in policy making. welfare provision. | Very good demonstration of understanding of the political institutions involved in policy making. | Good demonstration of understanding of the political institutions involved in policy making. | Fair demonstration of understanding of the political institutions involved in policy making. | Poor or no demonstration of understanding of the political institutions involved in policy making. | ........../20 |
| Demonstrated understanding of policy making stakeholders and networks …………………………20% | |||||
| Excellent demonstrated understanding of policy making stakeholders and networks. | Very good demonstrated understanding of policy making stakeholders and networks.. | Good demonstrated understanding of policy making stakeholders and networks.. | Fair demonstrated understanding of policy making stakeholders and networks.. | Poor or no demonstrated understanding of policy making stakeholders and networks.. | ........../20 |
| Demonstrated understanding of policy change strategies …………………………………………………..20% | |||||
| Excellent understanding of policy change strategies. | Very good understanding of policy change strategies. | Good understanding of policy change strategies. | Fair understanding of policy change strategies. | Poor or no understanding of policy change strategies. | ………./20 |
| Demonstrated understanding about how this policy connects with social work values ……………………………………. …(20%) | |||||
| Excellent analysis and connection with social work literature. | Very good analysis and connection with social work literature. | Good analysis and connection with social work literature. | Fair analysis and connection with social work literature. | Poor or no demonstration of analysis and connection with social work literature. | ……../20 |
| Referencing …………………………………………………………………………………………………….(10%) | |||||
| All literature used is appropriate and scholarly. Minimum of 10 references Harvard referencing formatted used with no mistakes. | Most of the literature used is appropriate and scholarly. Minimum of 8 references. Harvard referencing formatted used with minimal. mistakes | Most of the literature used is appropriate and scholarly. Minimum of 6 references. Harvard referencing formatted used with some mistakes. | Some of literature used is appropriate and scholarly. Minimum of 5 references Harvard referencing formatted used with many mistake | Most of the literature used is inappropriate and not from a scholarly source. Harvard referencing formatted not used. Less than 5 references | ……./10 |
| TOTAL MARKS | |||||
Referencing Style
Submission
Online
Submission Instructions
online in moodle
Learning Outcomes Assessed
- Critically reflect on social policies that are relevant to the human services
- Evaluate theories of policy development as they apply to social policy making in Australia.
- Articulate the strategies that social workers can engage in to influence policy development and advocate for positive policy reform
Graduate Attributes
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Social Innovation
Academic Integrity Statement
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?
