1635 (v.9) SW 121 - Introduction to Welfare

Area:

Department of Social Work and Social Policy

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

3.0

Lecture:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Tutorial:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

An exploration of the historical shaping and reshaping of the Australian welfare state. This includes- institutional and residual approaches to welfare, debates around the development of universal and selective services, equality of opportunity and of outcome, positive discrimination the competing discourses shaping social policy and welfare debates (conservative, liberal, social democratic, Marxist and social construction views of welfare), aspects of the current Australian 'welfare reform agenda'. Perspectives draw on a critical examination of human service provision as well as approaches to social problems and techniques for studying social phenomena via case studies on poverty and unemployment, ethnicity, race and gender in Australia.

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will have- An awareness of social welfare in Australia as the context in which welfare work is practised. Explained Australian social welfare in a comparative international perspective. Discussed and evaluated a range of competing discourses that shape and re-shape the welfare state and various analytical concepts for the study of social policy. Explained, critiqued and applied different approaches to social problems. Identified the perspectives on welfare among social welfare organisations in Western Australia. Demonstrated continuing development in techniques of academic scholarship in the humanities.

Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.

Unit References:

No prescribed references.

Unit Texts:

Bryson. L. (1992), Welfare and the State: Who Benefits? London, Macmillian. Fincher, R. and Saunders, P. (2001), Creating Unequal Futures. Crows Nest, Allen and Unwin. Jamrozik, A. (2001), Social Policy in the Post-Welfare States. Frenchs Forest, Longman. Wilson, J.,Thomson, J. and MaMahon, A. (1996), The Australian Welfare State: Key Documents and Themes. Melbourne, Macmillian. Course Reader for Social Work 121/ Welfare Practice 101/ Family Studies 121. (2000), Bentley, Curtin University of Technology.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Essay 40%, Short Essay 25%, Take Home Exam 35%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 2	Y		Y