SOCWK401-19A (TGA)

Social Work Decision Making

30 Points

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Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Social Work

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Sonya Hunt

Sonya Hunt
3542
TCBD.4.03
By appointment
sonya.hunt@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

: paula.maynard@waikato.ac.nz

Placement Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: jillene.bydder@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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Paper Description

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This paper provides students with a critical research-based approach to support decision-making in social work practice. Students learn to seek and apply evidence as part of making choices about appropriate and effective actions in their work practice, including strategies to monitor and evaluate results and adapt practice accordingly. The teaching and learning intention is to increase understanding of current research and examine, evaluate, and disseminate 'evidence' for its socio-economic and cultural context, and develop skills to transfer this learning into practice.

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Paper Structure

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SOCWK401 classes are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and guest lectures. This paper is supported through Moodle and students need to engage with Moodle to access readings, participate in discussion forums, access lectures and submit their assignments. The four hours each week will normally begin with karakia and panui, followed by lecture and tutorial.
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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Critically review research literature, including any relevant meta-analyses, for evidence cognisant with social work values, to support and guide social work decision making to benefit clients in a field or scope of social or community work practice
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Demonstrate an increased theoretical understanding of the importance and value of research findings and the innovative ways these can be incorporated into social work decision making and intervention strategies
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Further develop skills in the critical evaluation of research alongside consideration of a social service programme
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Have increased confidence to undertake and apply evidence-based research findings to social work decision making and practice
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Effectively share and disseminate knowledge.
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessment

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Paper assessment

  • Students are required to complete and submit three pieces of internal assessment for this paper and may also take the quiz.
  • The quiz will be taken at the start of SOCWK401 lecture 3 in class time
  • The assessments are structured to assess the paper learning outcomes and are designed to determine your ability to apply social work concepts and theoretical frameworks, as well as, to develop critical thinking and knowledge retention, through essays, presentations and a quiz
  • The three compulsory assessments build on one another, and each assessment must be submitted. Students who fail to submit the compulsory assignments, and if no other provisions have been made under the policy on special consideration for missed assessment, will receive an IC grade.
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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Assessment 1: Quiz
15 Mar 2019
9:00 AM
10
  • In Class: In Lecture
2. Assessment 2: Research literature report (2500 words)
4 Apr 2019
11:30 PM
32
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
3. Assessment 3: Full report (3000 - 3500 words)
16 May 2019
11:30 PM
33
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
4. Assessment 4: Presentation
31 May 2019
9:00 AM
25
  • Hand-in: In Lecture
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
  • Presentation: In Class
✔
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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Required and Recommended Readings

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Required Readings

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There are two required texts for this paper. The required texts are available in the library as a desk copy and also as Ebrary texts so can be accessed on-line through the Waikato catalogue or Waikato Library Search.

  1. Gray, M., Plath, D., & Webb, S. (2009). Evidence-based social work. A critical stance. New York, NY: Routledge.
  2. Pack, M., & Cargill, J. (2015). Evidence discovery and assessment in social work practice. Hershey, PA: IGI Global

Additional texts and readings are also listed later in this document. Many readings or a link to the reading sources will be available on Moodle on a weekly basis corresponding to each lecture topic.

Students are expected to read the prescribed readings listed on Moodle before each class to prepare for the lecture.

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Recommended Readings

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Required readings will be listed weekly on SOCWK401 Moodle page
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Online Support

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Moodle online support

Moodle will be used as an online learning platform for this paper. Moodle can be accessed from elearn.waikato.ac.nz. All course related information will be managed through Moodle. Students can contact the Lecturer via email or by using the ‘ask your lecturer’ forum available on Moodle if you think that your enquiry will be useful for other students as well.

Lecture notes may not be available on Moodle before lectures; however students can usually download lecture notes from Moodle within 24 hours of the lecture. Students are advised that reading these notes is not a substitute for attending the lectures and taking one’s own notes. The provision of material from guest speaker presentations is at the discretion of the speaker.

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Workload

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  • The expected workload for this paper is 300 hours (30 points). This includes 48 hours of class contact time.
  • The four hours each week will normally begin with karakia and panui, followed by a lecture and tutorial. Breaks and activities will be dispersed throughout with approximately two hours of tutorial.
  • Successful completion of the course will require approximately 252 hours for study and assignment preparation.
  • Students are expected to attend all lectures/tutorials
  • Students are expected to complete the weekly readings in order to come prepared for class discussions
  • Students are expected to actively participate in classroom activities
  • Students are expected to attend the full day of SOCWK401 oral presentations on Friday 31 May 2019. NB: The student oral presentations on the final day of lectures may require additional time due to student numbers.
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Linkages to Other Papers

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Students enrolled in SOCWK490 will also attend the SOCWK401 lectures.
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Prerequisite(s)

Prerequisite papers: All required papers in Years 1, 2, and 3 of the BSW programme

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

Restricted papers: SOCW401, SOCW301, SOCW490, SOCWK490

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