WS3028 - Rural Welfare

This subject introduces students to models, theories and methods of rural social policy, social planning, welfare service provision, social development and practice, with a special emphasis on northern Australia and Queensland. It challenges the metrocentric basis of many social work and welfare theories, and seeks to equip students with an enhanced framework for practice in rural settings. There will be a specific emphasis on issues faced by Indigenous people, and the subject is located within a culturally respectful framework of social welfare practice.

Learning Outcomes

• an understanding of rural social and welfare issues, with a special emphasis on the issues confronting Indigenous people an ability to critically analyse rural social policy and welfare issues, and: an enhanced ability to work as a welfare pracititioner within a rural context, with an advanced understanding of how the context for practice differs from urban settings.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to manage future career and personal development;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to work individually and independently.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.