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Introduction to Social Work, Community and Human Services
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BSWUG1001 - Introduction to Social Work, Community and Human Services
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20250200
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Course
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2.4
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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090501
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Social Work
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090501 - Social Work
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/bswug1001">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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7
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Bachelor Degree
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Introductory
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1
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<p>This unit introduces students to social work and community and human services through examining the purpose of the sector and its role in society. Students will explore the historical and political context of social work and community services and how this impacts upon contemporary practice. This unit analyses various areas and fields of practice and the range of professional roles which exist. Students will then go on to consider key principles of human service practice which will lay the foundation for their future studies, including ethical and professional responsibilities. In this unit, students will also begin to reflect upon themselves and their own values and how this may impact upon their professional practice.</p>
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<p>The context of the community and human services: - The purpose of the sector and its role in society - Key aspects of the historical and political development of the sector (such as: charity; the welfare state; and neo-liberalism) - Current social, political, and economic factors impacting upon the community and human services - Poverty, inequality, and justice. Areas and fields of practice: - Overview of common fields of practice such as family violence, child protection, youth, drugs and alcohol, justice, housing, employment, disability, mental health, aged care etc. - Overview of different client groups such as individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities - Overview of areas of practice such as case work, counselling, group work, community work, policy, research and advocacy. Values, ethics and reflection: - Personal values: what are they and where they come from - Overview of the value and ethical base of the community and human services - Exploration and reflection on power.</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2027
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2026
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BSWUG1001 - Introduction to Social Work, Community and Human Services
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BSWUG1001 - Introduction to Social Work, Community and Human Services
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit introduces students to social work and community and human services through examining the purpose of the sector and its role in society. Students will explore the historical and political context of social work and community services and how this impacts upon contemporary practice. This unit analyses various areas and fields of practice and the range of professional roles which exist. Students will then go on to consider key principles of human service practice which will lay the foundation for their future studies, including ethical and professional responsibilities. In this unit, students will also begin to reflect upon themselves and their own values and how this may impact upon their professional practice.</p>
Unit content
<p>The context of the community and human services: - The purpose of the sector and its role in society - Key aspects of the historical and political development of the sector (such as: charity; the welfare state; and neo-liberalism) - Current social, political, and economic factors impacting upon the community and human services - Poverty, inequality, and justice. Areas and fields of practice: - Overview of common fields of practice such as family violence, child protection, youth, drugs and alcohol, justice, housing, employment, disability, mental health, aged care etc. - Overview of different client groups such as individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities - Overview of areas of practice such as case work, counselling, group work, community work, policy, research and advocacy. Values, ethics and reflection: - Personal values: what are they and where they come from - Overview of the value and ethical base of the community and human services - Exploration and reflection on power.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090501 - Social Work
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Ballarat (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Berwick (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Gippsland (Blended)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/bswug1001">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
<p> must not have completed 1 of ATSGC1362, WELRO1001, CHSUG1001</p>
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Identify the defining features of social work and community and human services</p>
K2
<p>Explore the historical and political development of the social work/community and human service sector and how this impacts upon current practice</p>
K3
<p>Examine the current social and political context of the community and human service sector</p>
K4
<p>Consider the different fields/areas of practice and the diversity of roles undertaken by practitioners</p>
K5
<p>Reflect on the role of personal and professional values on community and human service practice</p>
K6
<p>Consider the ethical responsibilities of professionals working in the community and human services</p>
S1
<p>Locate and use academic materials as evidence to develop your essay writing skills</p>
S2
<p>Develop effective written communication skills</p>
S3
<p>Demonstrate the capacity for self-reflection</p>
S4
<p>Describe key ethical and professional responsibilities of human service practitioners</p>
A1
<p>Engage with key debates in the community and human services</p>
A2
<p>Describe the impact of historical, cultural and political influences on the community and human services sector</p>
A3
<p>Reflect upon the impact of the self on professional practice</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Research a key issue or debate pertaining to the historical, social and political influences on the community and human service sector and the impacts of these in current fields of practice. Search for and locate relevant academic sources and structure an essay plan to address this issue or debate.</p>
<p>Library Research and Essay Plan</p>
<p>20 - 35%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1
2
<p>Describe and analyse the historical, social and political influences on the community and human service sector and the impacts of these in current fields of practice</p>
<p>Major essay</p>
<p>30 - 45%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1, A2
3
<p>Reflect on key learning from weekly unit materials and readings at regular intervals</p>
<p>Online reflective journal</p>
<p>20 - 35%</p>
K4, K5, K6, S3, S4, A3
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090501 - Social Work
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Ballarat (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Berwick (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Gippsland (Blended)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/bswug1001">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: BSWUG1001 - U2.4