Program Overview

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Unit Overview

The unit SWTP215 - Ethics and Theories in Social Work is designed to provide students with an understanding of ethical theories and social work theories for practice. It introduces critical theory, structural, feminist, systems, and ecological perspectives relevant for contemporary social work practice.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

Social workers are regularly faced with complex situations, and knowledge of theories and ethics can assist them in better understanding these issues and providing a framework for responding to their clients. The unit aims to help students understand multiple social work and ethical theories and apply them to case scenarios.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify how a range of social work theories inform social work practice
2. Articulate and critique the purpose, values, and ethics of contemporary social work practice
3. Articulate a critical understanding of the relationship between the integration of social work theories and the development of professional identity
4. Articulate a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and identify how they can inform social work practice
5. Conceptualize and critique ethical issues and dilemmas in social work practice
6. Apply ethical and social work practice theories to a range of practice contexts

Unit Content

Topics will include:

• Contemporary social work theories and perspectives
  • Critical theory
  • Indigenous knowledges
  • Structural and post-structural theories
  • Feminist theories
  • Systems and ecological perspectives
  • Psychodynamic perspectives
• Ethical and values perspectives in social work
  • Deontological theories
  • Utilitarianism
  • Virtue ethics
  • Ethics of care
  • The capability approach
• Social work ethics and values in practice
  • AASW Code of ethics
  • Social work ethical principles and values
  • Ethical reasoning and ethical dilemmas
  • Ethical decision-making models
  • Influences of personal, professional, and societal values on practice
• The relationships between social work theories and practice
  • Reflective practice
  • Models of integrating theory

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

The unit takes an authentic assessment approach, allowing students to demonstrate their learning and competency in applying theories to social work practice. The assessments include:

1. A short answer quiz to ensure students are familiar with and understand the content of the AASW Code of Ethics
2. An essay to facilitate learning about the role of particular ethical theories and to encourage students' understanding of a range of social work theories and their application to practice
3. Another essay to encourage students' understanding of a range of social work theories and their application to practice

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

Teaching and learning strategies for this unit will include lectures, small group discussions, and skill development workshops. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and participate actively in class discussions.

Attendance Requirement

To pass this unit, students are required to undertake the specified assessment tasks, achieve a grade of at least 50%, and meet the 80% attendance requirements. Attendance is required in tutorials for students to have opportunities to practice and demonstrate their ability to apply theory and ethical frameworks to complex and varied case examples.

Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024)

This unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Capabilities and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024).

Representative Texts and References

A list of representative texts and references is provided, including works by Australian Association of Social Workers, Allan, Briskman, and Pease, among others.

Locations

The unit is offered in Canberra and Strathfield.

Credit Points

The unit is worth 10 credit points.

Year

The information provided is for the year 2026.