Theoretical Approaches to Social Work Practice PG (12016.1)

Required texts

Please note: All readings related to the course are digitised and a reading list, with links to online readings, will be available on the Unit Canvas site.

The following texts form part of the required readings and may be useful for broader understanding of the unit of study:

Submission of assessment items

Use of generative AI for assessment in this unit of study

AI can provide valuable support and resources for learning. For example, you will use SIMConverse to practice your communication and para communication skills and the transcript and feedback from a Simconverse recording will be used as an artefact for Assessment 3. 

ALL students must include a GenAI Acknowledgement statement for every assessment. If students do not use AI, they still need to provide an Acknowledgement Statement indicating that AI has not been used in their assessment.  

Students have permission to utilise assistive academic support services or tools (translation, editing and paraphrasing tools or services) and / or Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) programs for assessments in this unit, provided the following conditions are met:

1. Students utilise GenAI in line with the specific instructions provided on each assessment description page (located in the Canvas site)

2. Students appropriately acknowledge the use of assistive academic support services or Gen AI in the assessment itself, as well as in the reference list (as per APA7 style)

3. Students provide a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement that is placed after the reference list. The GenAI Acknowledgement Statement should clearly outline what tools or services were utilised and in what ways they were utilised in the process of completing the assessment. 

Your Unit Convenor may require additional specific information about how you have used GenAI, such as including the prompts you used or providing the output of the GenAI as an appendix to the submission. These requirements will be specified in the assessment instructions.

It is recommended that you:

- Keep records of the development of the work submitted for the assessment, and any drafts of the works submitted for a work-in-progress review, in a learning portoflio or equivalent. Access to these records may be requested by teaching staff.

- Ensure you are ready to respond to questions about your assessment to demonstrate your achievement of the learning outcomes of that assessment if / when you may be requested to participate in a conversation about your submission.

GenAI Acknowldgement Statement Examples

Complete the relevant GenAI Acknowledgement Statement for your assessment before copying the statement into your submission after the reference list:
- I did not use any genAI tools/services in the preparation of this assessment. I understand that providing false or misleading information in this GenAI Acknowledgement Statement may constitute a breach of the University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023.

OR

- I have used the following Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools/services in the preparation of this assessment:
• GenAI service name and version: [Insert]
• Link to the GenAI service: [Insert]
• I used this GenAI service: [insert]

I confirm I have not used GenAI in the preparation of this assessment for any purpose other than what I have acknowledged above. I understand that providing false or misleading information in this GenAI Acknowledgement Statement may constitute a breach of the University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. 

EXAMPLE: 
I have used the following Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools/services in the preparation of this assessment:
• GenAI service name and version: Microsoft Copilot
• Link to the GenAI service: https://copilot.microsoft.com/
• I used this GenAI service: for initial ideation in response to the topic, assisting in structuring my thinking, developing a comparison table, and suggesting clearer language.
I confirm I have not used the Generative Artificial Intelligence service in development of this work for assessment other than what I have declared and acknowledged above. I understand that providing false or misleading information in this declaration and acknowledgement may constitute a breach of the Student Conduct Rules

GenAI supporting information for students

The GenAI for Students guide will assist you in understanding GenAI and how it can be used at the University of Canberra: https://canberra.libguides.com/genai

GenAI and referencing
Each referencing guide provided by the Library provides advice on how to appropriately reference the use of GenAI in-text.

Free and protected access to Microsoft Copilot
The University provides students with free and protected access to Microsoft Copilot and Dall-E. These GenAI services are accessible when you log-in using your UC username and password at https://copilot.microsoft.com/

Recommendation
UC students should avoid using GenAI tools other than the secure Microsoft Copilot system and Studiosity Feedback +, provided by the University for completing assessments. Using this version of Microsoft Copilot ensures your student data, personal information, and intellectual property are protected.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

• This Unit includes a mandatory 5 day residential intensive at the Bruce campus of the University of Canberra.
• Attendance at tutorials is highly recommended in this course. Students will be strongly supported to attain and demonstrate the required learning outcomes in their assessments via attendance and participation in weekly tutorials.
• Recordings will be made available for those students who are unable to attend live tutorial sessions, however recordings cannot replicate the live learning experience of engagement with peers, teachers and guest speakers.
• Please note sections of tutorial recordings may be removed if sensitive information has been disclosed.

Required IT skills

• In order to engage in this unit, you are expected to have a reliable computer with the latest operating system. You will also need reliable internet connections and the latest version of Google Chrome (preferred browser) to access UCLearn.
• You are expected to have access to Microsoft Office applications: including OneNote, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint equivalent.
• In some units, you will be required to download specific software applications to complete the unit content and assessment successfully.
• This unit involves online meetings in real time using Zoom. Zoom allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. 
• In order to complete research, you will need to be able to search the library data bases for relevant journal articles. It is the individual student's responsibility to access appropriate help from the University IT services or the library if they do not have adequate skills.
• Please see the Social Work Hub on Canvas for orientation to key software and applications.

Work placement, internships or practicums

Successful completion of this Unit is a prerequisite for completing your first field education placement. This unit contains simulations of social work practice.

• Study Block 3, 2026, Intensive, UC - Canberra, Online (230473)
• Study Block 6, 2025, Intensive, UC - Canberra, Online (222940)
• Study Block 3, 2025, Intensive, UC - Canberra, Online (221284)
• Study Block 6, 2024, Intensive, UC - Canberra, Online (221283)