SWH4002

The development of social work knowledge

Mr R Carew

12 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject candidates should have developed an understanding of how knowledge is said to be developed; gained an understanding of the connection between knowledge and research; developed an understanding between values, theory, ideology and knowledge; developed an ability to use the information gained to determine the place of knowledge in social work activity and gained skills in utilising this knowledge to develop models which can be used to generate knowledge for social work.

Synopsis The subject will cover areas related to the ways in which knowledge is developed. The significant philosophical issues will be discussed. The relationship between values, theory, ideology and knowledge will be considered. This material will then be used to determine the nature of social work `knowing' with discussion centering around whether the view held in the social work literature about knowledge is satisfactory or not. Students will then be encouraged to produce models for developing social work knowledge.

Assessment Class presentation: 25%
* Written assignment (5500words): 75%

Prescribed texts

Chalmers A F What is this thing called science? UQP, 1987
Compton B and Galaway B Social work processes Dorsey, 1992
Reamer F G (ed.) The foundations of social work knowledge Columbia U P, 1994