HSW235 - Community Development: Social Work Theory and Practice D

Unit details

Year

2025 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 1: Waterfront (Geelong), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)*

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Andrew Brown
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: HDS303
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 X 2 hour lecture per week supported by weekly online independent and collaborative learning activities.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning activities will support learning across the trimester.

NIKERI-CBD students only: Online independent and collaborative learning activities including online practical experiences (workshops).

In-person attendance requirements:

NIKERI-CBD students only: there are compulsory intensives for all students at the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus. These intensives are arranged by year-level.

Please contact the NIKERI Social Work Course Team for more information on 1800 063 383.

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Note:

*National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute students only.

A part of the pedagogy in this unit requires students to participate with online entries (at least one a week).

Content

Community development is an important field and method of social work practice. This unit aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to integrate community development into their social work roles. This practice field plays a significant role in government, non-government, volunteer and in for-profit social service organisations. Community development is used within all levels of government (local, state and commonwealth) and across many departments (youth, health, communities, ageing, housing, disabilities, multicultural, indigenous). Community development is a form of practice, a broad philosophical and political approach which focuses on collective efforts to improve community wellbeing, and is based on a critical understanding of inequality in our socio-political structures.

Learning Outcomes

ULO These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:

Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs)

ULO1

Critically appraise the concepts, definitions, principles, roles, phases, processes, skills and practice approaches of community development.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Apply knowledge of community development, to devise an approach to working with a community that incorporates key principles and practices.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO6: Self-management

ULO3

Explain the major theories that underpin community development and apply this knowledge to case study and simulated community development activity.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO4

Write clearly and concisely based on critical evaluation of scholarly sources to engage a professional audience.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO5 Identify and apply knowledge of own capacities to work with communities.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO6: Self-management

ULO6

Practice and apply community development principles and process within a small group.

GLO2: Communication
GLO6: Self-management
GLO7: Teamwork

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Essay 1400 words 40%
  • Week 4
Assessment 2: Action paper - essay 2000 words 45%
  • Week 11
Assessment 3: Group presentation Presentation: 15 minutes
(equivalent to 500 words per person)
15%
  • Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning resource

The texts and reading list for HSW235 can be found via the University Library.

Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.