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HE Unit Template
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Social Work Practice in Diverse Contexts
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BSWUG3003 - Social Work Practice in Diverse Contexts
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20250100
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Course
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2.3
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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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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/bswug3003">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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1
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<p>This unit will examine the impacts of colonisation, racism and oppression on diverse communities, including First Nations People and cross-cultural groups. Critical discourse analysis will be applied to explore the socioeconomic, cultural and language practices implicit in white privilege; and the beliefs, assumptions and institutions that support it. At the same time, the unit will also explore Indigenous ways of knowing and how these are systemically marginalised in dominant discourses but – nonetheless – resiliently persist as potential forms and sites of resistance. A key aim of the unit is to challenge students to think through ‘dominant’ assumptions and beliefs that potentially contribute to the oppression of diverse and/or minority populations; identify ethical issues related to working with diverse populations and identify building blocks for cross-cultural practice frameworks that address the rights and meet the needs of service-users from diverse backgrounds.</p>
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<p><strong >Theoretical Frameworks: Unpacking White Privilege</strong></p>
<p>1. Critiques of colonisation, white privilege and systemic marginalisation</p>
<p>2. Historical and current practises of discrimination against First Nations People and cross-cultural groups, including immigrants and refugees.</p>
<p>3. Social Workers: Understanding Professional Identity: A framework for understanding values and privilege.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p><strong >Forms and Sites of Resistance</strong></p>
<p>1. The resiliency and cultural continuity of Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing</p>
<p>2. Anti-oppressive practises, including anti-racist movements</p>
<p>3. Dialogical Struggle as a form (and a site) of resistance</p>
<p>4. Language and Power: Applying Critical Discourse Analysis to identify dominance and marginalisation in discourses (case study analysis)</p>
<p><br></p>
<p><strong >Practice Frameworks: Towards Models for Working with Diversity</strong></p>
<p>1. Identifying building blocks for Indigenous Practice Frameworks – some examples</p>
<p>2. Working with cross-cultural groups – towards a practice framework</p>
<p>3. The risk of cultural collusion when working with cross-cultural and First Nations people</p>
<p>4. Working with interpreters and Elders and experts: some practical considerations</p>
<p>5. Developing awareness of self, values and how they impact on practice.</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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BSWUG3003 - Social Work Practice in Diverse Contexts
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Semester 1
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
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Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit will examine the impacts of colonisation, racism and oppression on diverse communities, including First Nations People and cross-cultural groups. Critical discourse analysis will be applied to explore the socioeconomic, cultural and language practices implicit in white privilege; and the beliefs, assumptions and institutions that support it. At the same time, the unit will also explore Indigenous ways of knowing and how these are systemically marginalised in dominant discourses but – nonetheless – resiliently persist as potential forms and sites of resistance. A key aim of the unit is to challenge students to think through ‘dominant’ assumptions and beliefs that potentially contribute to the oppression of diverse and/or minority populations; identify ethical issues related to working with diverse populations and identify building blocks for cross-cultural practice frameworks that address the rights and meet the needs of service-users from diverse backgrounds.</p>
Unit content
<p><strong >Theoretical Frameworks: Unpacking White Privilege</strong></p> <p>1. Critiques of colonisation, white privilege and systemic marginalisation</p> <p>2. Historical and current practises of discrimination against First Nations People and cross-cultural groups, including immigrants and refugees.</p> <p>3. Social Workers: Understanding Professional Identity: A framework for understanding values and privilege.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong >Forms and Sites of Resistance</strong></p> <p>1. The resiliency and cultural continuity of Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing</p> <p>2. Anti-oppressive practises, including anti-racist movements</p> <p>3. Dialogical Struggle as a form (and a site) of resistance</p> <p>4. Language and Power: Applying Critical Discourse Analysis to identify dominance and marginalisation in discourses (case study analysis)</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong >Practice Frameworks: Towards Models for Working with Diversity</strong></p> <p>1. Identifying building blocks for Indigenous Practice Frameworks – some examples</p> <p>2. Working with cross-cultural groups – towards a practice framework</p> <p>3. The risk of cultural collusion when working with cross-cultural and First Nations people</p> <p>4. Working with interpreters and Elders and experts: some practical considerations</p> <p>5. Developing awareness of self, values and how they impact on practice.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090501 - Social Work
Offering:
<p><strong>Winter Semester</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</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/bswug3003">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
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>Appraise and critique colonisation, white privilege and historical and current practices of systemic marginalisation, exclusion and oppression of First Nations people and cross-cultural groups;</p>
K2
<p>Explore and understand practises that are sites of resistance among First Nations people and crosscultural groups including immigrants and refugees;</p>
K3
<p>Review and analyse Indigenous ways of knowing and anti-oppressive practises;</p>
K4
<p>Apply critical discourse analysis to critique dominant discourses that inform discrimination and oppression of First Nations people and immigrants/refugees;</p>
K5
<p>Identify and apply appropriate practice frameworks that acknowledge different ways of knowing and how they impact on clients and services users from First Nations and cross-cultural contexts</p>
K6
<p>Develop skills to work with interpreters and consult with Elders and cultural experts wherever appropriate.</p>
K7
<p>Evaluate how human services and welfare professionals including Social Workers might consciously or unconsciously discriminate against clients of different backgrounds or identities or with diverse needs</p>
S1
<p>Determine the underlying values and assumptions held by organisations and professions, in order to critique and contest beliefs and practices which might serve to limit services to clients of different backgrounds or identities;</p>
S2
<p>Formulate strategies for that are informed by anti-oppressive practice frameworks and/or Indigenous ways of knowing;</p>
S3
<p>Utilise culturally sensitive practices, including use of appropriate terminology;</p>
S4
<p>Work respectfully and sensitively in cross-cultural environments and;</p>
S5
<p>Engage effectively with interpreting and translating services.</p>
A1
<p>Develop knowledge of historical and current racialized, colonized and oppressive practises that impact on First Nations people and cross-cultural groups, including refugees/immigrants;</p>
A2
<p>Critique the role of Social Workers in policing and controlling First Nations People and immigrant and refugee groups within the post-colonialist context and;</p>
A3
<p>Formulate and develop appropriate practice frameworks when working with First Nations people and cross-cultural groups.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
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Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Learning exercises will evaluate critically key concepts covered in the unit using a range of written and/or oral activities.</p>
<p>Learning Portfolio</p>
<p>20-35%</p>
K1, K3, K4, S1, S3, A1, A2
2
<p>This task requires students to identify the impacts of colonisation, racism and oppression and explore the forms of resistance which have emerged in the context of First Nations people or cross-cultural groups.</p>
<p>Presentation</p>
<p>25-40%</p>
K2, S1, S2, A1, A2
3
<p>Critically reflect on a case study and articulate an appropriate practice framework that is informed by theories</p>
<p>Essay</p>
<p>35-45%</p>
K3, K5, K6, K7, S2, S4, S5, 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 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
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 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</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
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090501 - Social Work
Offering:
<p><strong>Winter Semester</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</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/bswug3003">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: BSWUG3003 - U2.3