1999 Arts Handbook - Bachelor of Social Welfare

Bachelor of Social Welfare

General information
Objectives
Entry requirements
- Duration
Sequence for on-campus students
Sequence for part-time or distance education students
Group learning

Objectives

On completion of their course students are expected to have developed:

the ability to integrate theory drawn from several disciplines and understand its relevance for and application in practice;
an understanding and acceptance of the values of welfare work, and an appreciation of the intrinsic importance of an ethical base for practice;
the skills of competent welfare work practice, based on the ability to analyse situations, assess and apply an appropriate professional response, and evaluate the outcome;
generic skills in written, oral and interpersonal communication with a range of audiences;
the ability to contribute critically to the development and performance of organisational and professional responses to social need in a changing social and political environment.

In addition to meeting standard entry requirements all applicants are required to complete a Social Welfare Course Administration form. This form can be obtained from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of information contained in this form, for a more detailed selection process. Applicants are strongly advised that academic criteria are not the only ones for entry into the course. Other factors such as work experience and life experience, personal qualities and maturity, are taken into account.Course structure and sequence
A candidate for the degree must fulfil the following requirements to receive the award of Bachelor of Social Welfare:
(a) complete at least 144 but not more than 162 points;
(b) complete the prescribed social welfare program and may complete one minor sequence from within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. A minor sequence requires the completion of twenty-eight points, normally comprising a first-level sequence followed by two second-level subjects. Minors may be chosen from community studies, Koorie studies (subject to approval), sociology or psychology;
(c) undertake additional subjects to complete the 144 points needed for the degree.

Duration

The course of study is a minimum of three years full-time or five years part-time or by distance education and normally cannot extend beyond eight years.

Sequence for on-campus students

Level one

First semester

GSC1306 Introduction to understanding human behaviour**
GSC1201 Sociological reflections on everyday life
GSC1303 Foundations of interpersonal practice: casework and groupwork
GSC1801 Introduction to Koorie society

Second semester

GSC1202 Sociological issues
GSC1301 Social welfare issues
GSC1304 Communication and counselling skills
GSC1305 Human services organisational practice

Level two

First semester

GSC2303 Case management theory and practice
Upper-level elective
GSC1601 Basic statistics and computing for social research
GSC2310 Social policy: developing the links

Second semester

GSC1307 Human behaviour across the lifespan*
GSC2304 Community development
GSC1602 Introduction to methods of social research or first-level elective

Level three

First semester

GSC3307 Human services management and practice
GSC3306 Field education (credit value 16 points)

Second semester

GSC3303 Insights into practice
GSC3304 Paradigms of practice
Upper-level elective

* THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SUBJECTS ARE PROVIDED TO GIVE AN INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING OUR BEHAVIOUR WHICH IS PARTICULARLY TAILORED TO THOSE STUDENTS INTENDING TO PROCEED IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD. THESE SUBJECTS ARE OFFERED AT LEVEL ONE ONLY. THOSE STUDENTS WISHING TO COMPLETE A MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE GENERAL LEVEL-ONE PSYCHOLOGY SUBJECTS PSY1011 (PSYCHOLOGY 1A) AND PSY1022 (PSYCHOLOGY 1B).

Sequence for part-time or distance education students

Level one

First semester

GSC1303 Foundations of interpersonal practice: casework and groupwork
GSC1201 Sociological reflections on everyday life

Second semester

GSC1301 Social welfare issues
GSC1202 Sociological issues

Level two

First semester

GSC1306 Introduction to understanding human behaviour*
GSC1801 Introduction to Koorie society

Second semester

GSC1305 Human services organisational practice
GSC1307 Human behaviour across the lifespan*

* THE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR SUBJECTS ARE PROVIDED TO GIVE AN INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING OUR BEHAVIOUR WHICH IS PARTICULARLY TAILORED TO THOSE STUDENTS INTENDING TO PROCEED IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD. THESE SUBJECTS ARE OFFERED AT LEVEL ONE ONLY. THOSE STUDENTS WISHING TO COMPLETE A MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE GENERAL LEVEL-ONE PSYCHOLOGY SUBJECTS PSY1011 (PSYCHOLOGY 1A) AND PSY1022 (PSYCHOLOGY 1B).

Level three

First semester

GSC2310 Social policy: developing the links
Upper-level elective

Second semester

GSC1304 Communication and counselling skills
GSC1602 Introduction to methods of social research or first-level elective

Level four

First semester

GSC2303 Case management theory and practice
GSC1601 Basic computing and statistics for social sciences

Second semester

GSC2304 Community development
Upper-level elective

Level five

First semester

GSC3306 Field education and practice (full-year subject)
GSC3307 Human services management and practice

Second semester

GSC3303 Insights into practice
GSC3304 Paradigms of practice

Group learning

The focus of group learning has shifted from weekend schools in Gippsland to the student's own locality, and university staff will facilitate the establishment and maintenance of such area study groups.
Current students will complete the course under their present arrangements.