Introduction to Social Work 2


In SWRK1002 students continue to develop knowledge and understanding of social justice, equality and social work in Australian society. Historical and contemporary debates are examined focusing on the way in which social equality and inequality are constructed via race, gender, income, age and sexuality.



  • Semester 2 - 2015

Learning Outcomes

1. An initial understanding of core social work values of justice and equality as they impact on specific demographic and identity groups in Australian society.

2. Knowledge of historical and contemporary debates and discussions in Australia regarding social justice and equality.

3. Knowledge of the major social policy developments in Australia to date in relation to race, gender, income, young people, older people, and people of diverse sexual identities.

4. Knowledge of how their own expression, responses to people, situations and ideas impact on others and shape their practice as social workers.

5. Skills in effective listening, giving and receiving feedback and presenting information to an audience. Students demonstrate these through class participation and group work and the oral assessment.

6. A capacity to work independently and as part of a group.

7. Basic skills in group work through the completion of a range of group activities and reflections upon the group processes and dynamics over the year.

8. Research skills including capacity to search for and find relevant information from policy, academic and other literature, research and demographic data, analyse information and outline the implications in a clear and logical argument and identify the assumptions and ideological values in a range of literature.


  1. Social work's role in addressing inequality in society.
  2. Current inequalities in Australian society eg. youth, age, sexual orientation.
  3. Lifestage inequalities.
  4. Group dynamics and group theory.
  5. Professional ethics and professional practice.


This course is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) programs.

Assumed Knowledge

SWRK1001, SOCA1010, PSYC1010

Assessment Items

Presentation: Group presentation

Written Assignment: Written assignment

Written Assignment: Written assignment and oral presentation

Contact Hours



Face to Face On Campus 5 hour(s) per Week for 2 Weeks