Theorising Social Work Practice unit (HGW512)

Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston

Introduction

This unit explores how contemporary social work ways of thinking define, shape, and inform social work practice. Historical and contemporary social work theories are examined, including multiple ways of theorising practice, such as First Nations knowledges, the history of knowledge development, and social work ethics and values. This will provide an important foundation for grounding your emerging framework for practice. 

In this unit, we ask you to be prepared to DISCOVER, THINK and SYNTHESISE. You will discover a range of ideas to think about practice (theorise) and consider what informs your practice (synthesise) your practice for now. We work on the assumption that this process is iterative and lifelong so that your framework for practice will evolve, grow, and change as the context in which we live does so also.  

This unit prepares you for Social Work Practicum 1 by supporting you in developing theoretical foundations for social work practice. The learning and teaching activities and assessment tasks in this unit will guide you in developing a framework for social work practice that is cognisant of regenerative ways of thinking, able to evolve and grow as you proceed through your life as a social worker and is congruent with decolonisation efforts, social justice, human and non-human rights. 

Summary

Unit name	Theorising Social Work Practice
Unit code	HGW512
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health Social Work Program
Discipline	Social Work
Coordinator	Doctor Tina Kostecki
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Cradle Coast	Semester 1
Hobart	Semester 1
Launceston	Semester 1

Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and critique the intersection of values, and theories, and their application in practice to consider how they support decolonisation efforts, social justice, human and non-human rights and contribute to transformative actions and strategies in practice, organisational and policy settings.
• Develop a theoretically informed social work framework drawing on relevant values, theories and skills that demonstrates how social workers can respond to oppressive and exploitative historical, cultural, social, geographic, economic, and political contexts.
• Apply and evaluate a theoretically informed and ethical practice framework to a social work assessment that supports achieving socially just change in the lives of people, communities, and institutions.
• Demonstrate and appraise the qualities of a critically reflective social worker by critically evaluating how your framework for practice enables or hinders social work ethics, values, and decolonisation efforts.

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
090501	$2,174.00	$1,020.00	$1,192.00	$2,562.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

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.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	You will complete one hour of online learning activities (including lectures, videos, podcasts, and other activities) and approximately one hour of required reading per week. You will also attend two hours weekly on-campus tutorials.
Assessment	Weekly Journal (20%)|Case Study (40%)|Professional Practice Framework (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	All readings will be available via the Reading List link in MyLO or the unit Reading List on the University Library website
Recommended	All readings will be available via the Reading List link in MyLO or the unit Reading List on the University Library website

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.