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Unit outline_

SCWK3005: Field Education 1

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit includes a compulsory, full time field education practicum of 60 days as well as class based learning. In negotiation with their field educators, students produce a learning plan that sets out what they expect to learn, how this learning will happen and how, with their field educator, they will monitor and evaluate their learning. In addition, students attend fortnightly placement classes and peer support and accountability groups. These provide a forum in which to explore issues concerning the integration of practice and theory, as well as opportunities for support and consultation with other students and social work staff. Written assignments and oral presentations allow students to demonstrate their placement learning.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Social Work
Credit points 24
Prerequisites
? 
SCWK3006 and SCWK3007 and SCWK3008
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
SCWK3010
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jioji Ravulo, jioji.ravulo@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jioji Ravulo, jioji.ravulo@sydney.edu.au
Suzy Velkou, suzy.velkou@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Wendy Cosier, wendy.cosier@sydney.edu.au
Dominic Cork, dominic.cork@sydney.edu.au
Elizabeth Findlay, elizabeth.findlay@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Learning Circles Presentation
See Canvas site for detailed description of task.
0% Multiple weeks
Due date: 21 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 11 Nov 2024
in class discussion
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Placement hurdle task Learning Plan
See Canvas site for detailed description of task
0% Multiple weeks
Due date: 30 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 Sep 2024
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Placement hurdle task Mid-placement visit and mid placement report
See Canvas site for detailed description of task
0% Multiple weeks
Due date: 11 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 18 Oct 2024
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Placement hurdle task End of Placement Report & Full Placement Portfolio
See Canvas site for detailed description of task.
0% Multiple weeks
Due date: 22 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 20 Dec 2024
1,500words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Please see Canvas site for detailed summary of the assessment task.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All portfolio items must be supplied as per the due date listed in Canvas or the student could be at risk of failing this unit of study.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Mid-semester break Privileging service users knowledge and expertise Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 01 Compulsory Pre-Placement Seminar Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 04 Mapping the terrain: Understanding the professional context Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 06 Journeying towards critical practice Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 08 Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 Engaging constructively amidst conflict and complexity Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 14 (STUVAC) Ethically centred social work practice Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 24 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 480-600 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas site

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate the ability to conduct themselves according to the values, principles and guidelines of the AASW Code of Ethics 2020.
  • LO2. demonstrate knowledge of working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to support their priorities and aspirations.
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of the role social workers play in advocating for policy initiatives and approaches to practice aimed at achieving fair and equitable access for people to social, health, economic, environmental and political resources.
  • LO4. demonstrate the ability to practice respectfully and inclusively with regard to culture and diversity.
  • LO5. demonstrate the ability to practice within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical understanding of contemporary social work theory and research.
  • LO6. demonstrate the ability to make professional decisions on the basis of a holistic assessment of the needs, strengths, goals and preferences of people.
  • LO7. demonstrate social work identity; exhibiting a sense of connectedness to the profession and appreciation for the standing of the profession.
  • LO8. demonstrate the capacity to engage in regular structured supervision from social work-qualified supervisors.
  • LO9. demonstrate the capacity to constructively reflect on emergent skills, knowledge, and expertise with a view to improving and broadening professional learning and development.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No substantive curriculum changes have been made since this unit was last offered. Learning outcomes changed to reflect the release of the AASW Practice Standards 2023.

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Work, health and safety

See Social Work Field Education Handbook 2024

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.