TEAC 2026 Ethical Practice

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102668

Coordinator Denise Fraser Opens in new window

Description Professionals working with children, young people and families must base all action on sound ethical and legal foundations. In this subject students are introduced to the concept of professionalism and oriented to the ethical aspects of the teaching profession, the policy, guidelines and codes that apply to teachers. In particular students are introduced to the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics. Contemporary and global approaches to ethics and critiques of traditional western approaches are introduced. The subject is also designed to build leadership capacity through an understanding of contemporary issues in educational policy and practice and an exploration of the concepts of social justice and advocacy.

School Education

Discipline Teacher Education: Early Childhood

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 1879 Bachelor of Education (Birth – 5 Years).

Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain what it means to be a professional. 
  2. Reflect on the interrelationship between personal and professional values.
  3. Examine the application and implications of traditional and contemporary ethical frameworks and tools that support wise professional practice.
  4. Apply policy, legislation, codes of practice and ethics in professional contexts.
  5. Analyse the embedded ethical and political dimensions of contemporary issues in early childhood policy and practice. 
  6. Discuss processes for promoting ethically informed advocacy, activism, transformation and change.

Subject Content

  1. Professions and Professionalism
  2. Morals, values and ethics
  3. Contemporary and traditional ethical frameworks
  4. Decision making tools and theories
  5. Policy, legislation, codes of conduct and ethics, particularly the Early Childhood Australia’s Code of Ethics
  6. Agency, citizenship and democracy
  7. Advocacy and activism

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Reflective Essay 1,200 words 40 N Individual
Presentation 8 minutes with a maximum of 10 slides 40 N Individual
Debate Ongoing over the trimester 20 N Individual

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject