HSW101 - Introduction to Social Work: Social Work Theory and Practice A
Unit details
| Year | 2027 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: Waterfront (Geelong), Online with significant campus requirements (see In-person attendance requirements), Warrnambool, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 1: Rebekah Omond |
| Cohort rule | Nil |
| Prerequisite | Nil |
| Corequisite | Nil |
| Incompatible with | HSH114 |
| 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 students only: 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 | Campus students only: 1 x 2 hour lecture per week. Campus students are required to attend at least 9 out of the 11 lectures. Online students only: All online students must attend a compulsory 5 day intensive during Week 3 of Trimester 1 at the Geelong-Waterfront campus at which core practical learning requirements will be taught. View intensive dates and locations. 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. |
| Supplementary information | *National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute students only. |
Content
This unit aims to introduce students to aspects of the history and current context of social work practice, and to begin to develop an appreciation of the role of social work and the human services generally. The unit is descriptive and informative in helping to unfold for students the diversity of the social work field and its history. It is also critical and interpretive. The unit also provides an introduction to the different disciplinary aspects of the social work program and how they fit together in the study of social work.
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 | Recognise the role and process of reflective and reflexive practice in social work. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Locate, select, evaluate and summarise digital resources on a selected area of social work. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Identify the key historical and cultural influences on social work. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Identify the key domains, methods, and fields of practice and helping processes of contemporary social work. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Describe the role of ethical professional behaviour in social work. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO6 | Identify the role and strategies of critical thinking in social work. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some units still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Assessment
| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: 4 x reflections | 4 x 150 word reflections (600-words in total) | 10% |
|
| Assessment 2: Written essay | Written essay: 1400 words | 40% |
|
| Assessment 3: Written essay | Written essay: 2000 words | 50% |
|
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.
Hurdle requirements
- On-campus students are required to attend at least 9 out of 11 lectures.
- Online students are required to attend a compulsory 5-day intensive held during trimester at Geelong Waterfront Campus. Intensive dates information
- NIKERI students are required to attend compulsory intensives at the NIKERI Institute Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for HSW101 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.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.