SOWK29005 - Social Work Theories and the Practice Context

Showing: 2026 HE Term 1
General Information

Unit Synopsis

In this unit, you will critically analyse various theories and methods of social work practice, integrating these with practical applications. You will explore competing macro-level philosophical and theoretical frameworks that define the purpose and place of social work, considering the influence of neoliberalism and other socio-political agendas. Drawing on theories and frameworks from related disciplines, particularly psychology and sociology, you will gain insights into human behaviour and relationships, situating these within broader social structures and processes. You will critically evaluate traditional and emerging practice theories and methods, assessing their relevance to diverse service user contexts and cultural backgrounds. Utilising these theoretical frameworks, you will develop ethical and transformative social work interventions to address diverse service users' needs and contribute to social justice. The unit also examines the role of social work in human service organisations, focusing on ethical tensions and organisational constraints. The unit considers how context influences the application of theory to practice, including telehealth and online service provision. You will engage in critical reflection to examine how personal experiences and perspectives influence the integration of theory into practice, considering ethical implications. Reflective practice will enhance your practice framework and identify strengths and areas for future professional growth. While completing this unit, you will undertake your second fieldwork placement to facilitate the integration of theoretical learning directly into practice.

Details

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level 9
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 4
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Co-requisite:

SOWK29007 Social Work Field Education 2

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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School Compulsory Residential School
View Unit Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2026

Term 2 - 2026 Profile
Mixed Mode

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).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate 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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Reflective Practice Assignment 20%
2. Written Assessment 40%
3. Case Study 40%
4. Online resource/s 0%

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

Past Exams

Previous Feedback

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.

Unit Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Critically examine social work theories and practice approaches, demonstrating an understanding of their origins, core tenets, underlying assumptions, aims, and methods.
  2. Critically evaluate the suitability and applicability of social theories to various practice contexts and social work roles, considering service users’ context, cultural needs, and professional ethics.
  3. Develop ethical and transformative social work interventions using theoretical frameworks that address diverse service users' needs, cultures and situations across various practice contexts and contribute to social justice.
  4. Critically reflect on the influence of self on practice, identifying ethical implications, strengths and areas for future professional growth to enhance, develop and articulate your practice framework.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Reflective Practice Assignment • • •
2 - Written Assessment • • •
3 - Case Study • • • •
4 - Online resource/s • • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge • • •
2 - Communication • •
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills • • • •
4 - Research •
5 - Self-management • •
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility • •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8