Decolonising Australian Social Work: Learning from Fijian Responses unit (HGW203)

Introduction

This unit builds on the foundational knowledge gained in HGW202 by offering a fully funded, three-week immersive trip to Fiji. During this trip, you will engage with local experts to explore how Fijian social work addresses sustainability challenges such as climate change, poverty and violence. 

Working both individually and in small groups you will observe and learn firsthand from Fijian social work practices. All learning experiences will be approached through the Fijian lens, emphasising your host country’s perspective. This unit aims to facilitate the application of your developing decolonising approach to social work. You will be challenged to develop interpersonal adaptability, to critically examine Australian social work and its decolonising agenda, and to reflect on your privilege as an Australian  student to humbly learn from Fijian approaches to social work. 

Your journey begins in Tasmania, where you will deepen your understandings of decolonisation and examine various dimensions of Fijian life and social work. Upon your arrival in Fiji, you will learn from Fijian experts as they share their contexts, the challenges, and opportunities they face and the social work responses they have designed, developed and implemented.

You will develop a plan for professional development derived from your experiences in Fiji. You will also articulate what you think Australian social work can learn from our Pacific neighbours. 

Summary

Unit name	Decolonising Australian Social Work: Learning from Fijian Responses
Unit code	HGW203
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health Social Work Program
Discipline	Social Work
Coordinator	Professor Sonya Stanford
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By
Level	Intermediate

Learning Outcomes

• Observe and explain in-country practice responses to sustainability challenges such as climate change, poverty and violence.
• Decolonise interpersonal and intrapersonal responses by locating, adapting and modifying the self in relation to personal and professional privileges.
• Formulate a plan for professional development that demonstrates the relevance of the in-country experience to your own decolonisation process as an emerging social worker.
• Design an aspirational decolonising pitch that shows and articulates what Australian social work can learn from the observed in-country social work practices.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
			not applicable

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

HGW202

Teaching

Assessment	Group assignment - profile of Fijian life (20%)|A Plan for Decolonising practice (40%)|An Aspirational Decolonising Pitch to the Australian Social Work Field (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

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