Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Course

The course equips students for competent and ethical social welfare practice in an ever-changing social and political climate. The degree develops skills and knowledge for intervention in different fields of practice, advanced theoretical analysis and application, and social welfare practice from a management perspective.

Students complete a structured sequence in social welfare, including practice placements in community development and welfare agencies, together with studies in social policy, management in Indigenous society, sociology and psychological studies. They will also take an arts minor in Australian Indigenous studies, community studies, psychological studies, psychology or sociology.

At the completion of the course students will have developed values, skills and knowledge appropriate to working with individuals, families, groups and communities at interpersonal, group, organisational and government levels. Graduates of this course will be qualified for employment in a wide variety of urban and rural, community and social welfare positions, in a range of fields, such as interpersonal and group counselling, crisis intervention, research and policy, casework and case management, community development, and management of human services organisations. The course also establishes a sound academic base for further study at postgraduate level.

Students are required to undertake a 16-day field education placement and a 60-day field placement during this course.

This course is recognised by the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers.

This course consists of a social and community welfare sequence, four compulsory units and additional studies in arts.

Students complete:

(a.) a social and community welfare sequence (66 points) comprising the following:

• SCW1302 Governing inequality: Foundations of social welfare provision
• SCW1303 Foundations of interpersonal practice
• SCW1304 Communication and counselling skills
• SCW2303 Case management theory and practice
• SCW2304 Community development
• SCW2311 Social issues and personal values
• SCW3303 Insights into practice
• SCW3306 Field education and practice (12 points)
• SCW3307 Human services management and practice
• SCW3310 Social policy

(b.) three compulsory supporting units (18 points):

• AIS1011 Introduction to Australian Indigenous societies
• PSS1712 Behaviour across the lifespan
• SCY1801 Sociological reflections on everyday life

(c.) one compulsory supporting unit at second level (6 points):

• AIS2025 Activism, politics and Indigenous Australia
• AIS2170 Australian Indigenous women
• AIS2808 Human rights and the Indigenous Australian experience
• SCY2811 Social justice

(d.) a further 54 points in arts*, comprising:

(i.) at least one minor sequence in sociology, Australian Indigenous studies, psychological studies or psychology

(ii.) 12 points at first-year level selected from units from the following disciplines:

• Australian studies
• Australian Indigenous studies
• communications
• community studies
• history-politics
• journalism
• philosophy
• psychological studies
• psychology
• sociology
• writing.

Students must complete a minimum of 36 points at third-year level.

No more than 10 units (60 points) are to be completed at a first-year level.

*It is recommended that students complete an arts major or two minors.

Bachelor of Social and Community Welfare