Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102744

Coordinator Scott Avery Opens in new window

Description Working with Indigenous communities is an important field of practice for social and human service workers in statutory as well as community contexts. This subject introduces students to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, including pre-contact, colonisation and contemporary developments. Specific attention will be paid to engaging communities - including practice principles, strategies and skills. This subject will emphasise the importance of culturally responsive practices requiring students to have an understanding of their own values and cultures. Critical self-reflection and positioning are vital skills for cultural responsiveness, and will be developed in this subject.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Social Work

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in programs 1792 Master of Social Work (Qualifying), 4595 Master of Art Therapy or 8083 Bachelor of Research Studies/Master of Research at Western Sydney University.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Identify and discuss specific ways of doing, being and knowing from Indigenous perspectives.
2. Articulate Indigenous worldviews for use in professional practices.
3. Examine the impacts of history and policy upon the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples.
4. Detail key concepts of wellbeing as determined by Indigenous peoples.
5. Critically analyse professionals' role as agents of social change.

Subject Content

Indigenous history in Australia
Indigenous identities and contemporalities
Policies- past and present
Cultural Safety
Indigenous people and their concepts of well-being
Working with and for Indigenous people
Indigenous social work practices
Reflecting on your role