WEL1330

Human services: methods and values

Ian Murray

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Caulfield

Objectives On completion of this subject students should have an overview of the practice of human services work from the worker's perspective, including the interaction of methods, values and knowledge; be aware of the role and status of professional human service work; of the influences of ideology and agency practice; and of the nature, origins and validity of values and knowledge as they affect this field; have an understanding of the ways in which their own experiences, values and perceptions might influence their professional work; understand basic professional ethical principles.

Synopsis Sources of help. Professional roles and practice; employment conditions; comparisons with social work. Remedial and radical ideologies. Work with individuals, groups and communities. Fields of practice and agency settings. Values and knowledge: nature, validity, types and sources. Professional ethics. Love and human services work.

Assessment Discussion issues (500 words): 10%
* Values assignment (1000 words): 25%
* Essay (2000 words): 40%
* Class test (1 hour): 25%

Prescribed texts

Zastrow C The practice of social work 5th edn, Brooks Cole, 1995
O'Connor I, Wilson J and Setterlund D Social work and welfare practice 2nd edn, Longman Cheshire, 1995

Recommended texts

Fook J Radical casework: A theory for practice Allen and Unwin, 1993
Ife J Rethinking social work Longman, 1997