SCWK6952: Semester 1, 2025
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Unit outline_

SCWK6952: Critical Perspectives on Mental Health

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study introduces a range of perspectives and key contemporary debates in mental health policy and practice. Students develop knowledge relating to an ecological framework of mental health, statutory and professional power negotiated by social workers within the mental health field, social work advocacy in mental health policy and practice, and the importance of lived experience knowledge. Areas of mental health that are examined include psychosis, self-harm and suicidality, trauma and addiction, and child and adolescent wellbeing.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Social Work
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Emma Tseris, emma.tseris@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Group work
Presentation
30% Multiple weeks 1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment Critical reflection
Visual representation and critical reflection essay
25% Week 04
Due date: 18 Mar 2025 at 23:59
1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO1
Assignment hurdle task Theory-practice essay
Analysis of the relationships between theory and practice and the role of peer dialogue in facilitating learning.
45% Week 12
Due date: 25 May 2025 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Critical Reflection: You are required to portray both your current knowledge and your learning goals, exploring your prior and current exposure to mental health concepts. You should identify the influences of professional knowledges, popular commentary and/or lived experiences. Draw on ideas from the set readings to strengthen your analysis of the knowledge, skills and experience that you bring to this unit of study and any potential gaps in knowledge. 
  • Groupwork: In small groups, choose a contemporary mental health issue to explore.  Drawing on readings and additional research, analyse the issue using critical mental health theories and develop a public awareness-raising and prevention strategy. 
  • Theory-practice essay: Offer a critical analysis of competing paradigms of mental distress and the implications for social work practice, providing an analysis of both readings and peer learning processes. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

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.

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.

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
Week 01 Introduction to social and critical perspectives on mental health Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Understanding competing frameworks of mental health, including debates on language and labelling practices Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 03 The social determinants of mental distress Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Engaging with the mental health social work role Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Critical perspectives on psychosis Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Human rights in mental health Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Understanding whiteness in the mental health field Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Preparation for presentations Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Understandings of self-harm and suicidality Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Addressing social determinants and prevention: Student presentations Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Addressing social determinants and prevention: Student presentations Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Bringing together the core concepts Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Reading List available on Canvas.

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. analyse key contemporary debates in mental health policy and practice
  • LO2. demonstrate an ability to conceptualise mental distress through social and critical mental health perspectives
  • LO3. articulate complex practice issues relating to the statutory and professional power negotiated by social workers within the mental health field
  • LO4. identify opportunities for social work advocacy in mental health policy and practice
  • LO5. combine social work and critical theories, lived experience knowledge, and the contributions of the user-survivor movement into a transformed framework for mental health practice
  • LO6. critically reflect on your experience and knowledge of the mental health field, and identify areas for future 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.

Previous students have requested an individual mark for the groupwork presentations.

Disclaimer

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

This unit of study outline was last modified on 14 Feb 2025.

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