Found 240 study abroad units
PUP250 Occupational Hygiene and Toxicology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Public Health and Social Work
- Study level
- Postgraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Occupational hygiene involves the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of hazards in the working environment. Workplaces contain numerous hazards which are potentially harmful to the health of workers, other occupants and the public. The role of the OHS professional is to develop and /or assist in the development of strategies to identify these potential hazards, evaluate the risk they pose to persons and recommend measures to control the risks involved. Throughout the unit, you are introduced to the identification, monitoring, evaluation and control of a variety of hazards within the workplace.
PUP415 Occupational Health
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Public Health and Social Work
- Study level
- Postgraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Although the association between health and occupation has been recognised for centuries, the extent of the impact of work on health and health on work has not been addressed adequately. As approximately one third of a person's life is spent at work, it is not surprising to note that occupation-linked diseases, injuries, and deaths are receiving greater attention. It is no longer accepted that death, life-shortening, and disablement are an acceptable risk to be faced by working people. This unit focuses on the current and emerging agents in the workplace capable of adversely affecting the health of workers, as well as human response to toxic and imperilling environments. Occupational Health covers identification, prevention and management of risks to health in the workplace, the disease process, occupational rehabilitation and health & wellbeing surveillance, psychosocial health, and management in the workplace.
PYB007 Communication for Health Professionals
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Effective communication is widely considered to be a key component of health care practice in the real world. In this multidisciplinary and highly practical unit, you will work with other learners from different health disciplines to have the opportunity to develop the core communication skills identified by the industry as essential for ethical, culturally safe and intentional practice. A major focus of PYB007 will be the development of interpersonal communication skills which you will practice in a safe and supportive environment. In addition to face-to-face practice, you will develop and practice skills specifically for online communication in recognition of the changing face of healthcare. These skills will support you to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues, facilitate important conversations and meetings, resolve conflict and provide feedback, all in a culturally safe manner.
PYB100 Foundation Psychology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviour, and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of applied issues. The goal of this foundational unit is to introduce you to major subfields and perspectives in psychology, to develop your understanding of the research methods used in psychological research and to develop your critical thinking skills. This unit provides a strong basis for future learning in the discipline. Topics covered in PYB100 will include child and adult development, social psychology, and an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems. We will consider Indigenous and diverse cultural perspectives, ethical issues in psychological research, and how psychological perspectives can help us understand and address real world issues. This unit will help you develop your database searching and written communication skills.
PYB102 The Mind and the Brain
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviour and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of real-world issues. The goal of this foundational unit is to introduce you to the areas of biological (physiological) and cognitive psychology and to develop your understanding of the methods used to critically evaluate, ethically conduct, and effectively communicate psychological research.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB110 Psychological Research Methods
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and cognition. This unit is designed to introduce students to the scientific method of research in psychology, research design, and data analysis. The unit covers elementary research design, operationalisation of variables, descriptive statistics, correlation, hypothesis testing using statistical tests such as t-tests, and qualitative research methods. By learning these research methods, students are expected to start developing a data-driven, evidence-based perspective on psychological issues.
PYB159 Alcohol and Other Drug Studies
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Drug and alcohol use and abuse is of growing concern in the community. This unit introduces you to theories of prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems from a range of diverse perspectives. You will be exposed to multidisciplinary learning where you can identify career pathways while considering the field in relation to ethics, values and a range of population targets. This unit provides a useful foundation for PYB360, Interventions for Addictive Behaviours. You will participate in discussions and assessment pieces designed in conjunction with industry professionals, to embed learning with current real world issues.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB202 Social Psychology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Humans are social beings whose thoughts, feelings and actions are influenced by the real, imagined, or implied presence of others. This unit will allow you to develop greater insight into people's behaviour through the scientific investigation of the relationship between individuals and the social settings in which they live. We will study the effects of these social settings on people, and the psychological processes people use to influence others in social settings. We will consider cultural variation in social psychological phenomena, ethical issues in social psychological research, and how social psychological perspectives can help us understand and address real world issues. This unit will help you develop your database searching and written communication skills.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB203 Developmental Psychology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit is designed to introduce the major theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of developmental psychology, and to encourage you to consider the major life issues, events, and transitions that shape the course of development throughout the lifespan. This unit aims to develop awareness of general patterns of human development and of the ways in which the development of particular individuals and diverse groups may vary from these general patterns. We will also critically examine the importance of the physical, family, socio-cultural and historical contexts within which development occurs, and a gain a sense of the interdependency of all aspects of development.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB204 Perception and Cognition
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Cognitive psychology is a major empirical and theoretical area of psychology which explores the processes and structures involved at each stage of information processing within the brain. The structures and processes involved in perception provide the brain with basic information about both the external world and many of the current states of the individual. Higher level cognitive processes and structures provide the foundation upon which more complex aspects of behaviour are based. This unit is to build on the concepts and issues in perception and cognitive psychology, and to develop an appreciation of the major contemporary theories of how we process and perceive information. The unit is placed in second semester of second year so that students following the normal course structure have an adequate background in research design and data analysis. With this background, students will carry out experiments in tutorial classes and analyse real data.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB208 Counselling Theory and Practice 1
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Counselling processes, skills and knowledge have broad applicability in the modern world of work. In this unit you will have the opportunity to engage with the most prominent counselling models and approaches. Through an experiential learning process, you will learn about the theories and philosophies that underpin different approaches and develop skills and techniques required to apply these models in your future work. Self-awareness is widely recognised in the health and community sector as key to effective and ethical practice. By participating in counselling exercises, group discussions and individual reflections, you will be supported to deconstruct and examine your existing beliefs and values and consider the role they will play in your work with individuals, families and groups. You will then have the opportunity to develop your practice framework that you will take forward to guide your work in the real world.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB210 Research Design and Data Analysis
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
PYB210 extends on the analytical methods you learnt in PYB110 and prepares you for the more complex research designs you will engage with in PYB350. Research design, data analysis and associated digital capabilities are core skills in the discipline of psychology and integral to the scientist-practitioner model and are skills highly valued by employers of psychology graduates. A sound understanding of research design and data analysis will build your ability to work with and interpret data from a variety of sources, enabling you to critique research, and to apply an evidence-based approach to problem solving, invaluable skills in a wide variety of careers. PYB210 will develop your knowledge of research design, data collection methods and analysis, providing you with a theoretical grounding in analysis of variance techniques, regression, and qualitative methods, the practical ability to employ analytic software to conduct analyses and to interpret and report these analyses.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB215 Forensic Psychology and the Law
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Forensic Psychology will introduce you to the overlap between psychology and the law; assist you to understand the influence and impact of this branch of psychology within the criminal justice system; and to provide you with an overview of the practice of forensic psychology, across diverse populations, including First Nations People. The study of psychology and law draws from a multi-disciplinary base for the application of specialised knowledge. As a student of this discipline area, you will acquire an appreciation of (and a critical perspective on) psychology and the law across the three criminal justice domains of the police, the courts, and corrections.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB260 Psychopharmacology of Addictive Behaviour
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit aims to develop and extend your understanding of issues relating to behavioural pharmacology with a focus on substances commonly associated with addiction. It introduces the principles of behavioural pharmacology, and critically examines prevailing theories and models of addiction, and related research methods, and how they apply to diverse perspectives. Computerised programs specifically designed for psychology experiments are examined and underlie the authentic assignment of a psychopharmacological experiment journal manuscript, as do other digital technologies (e.g., learning management system, psychology journal database searches, and data presentation and word processing software). Tutorial group activities promote collaboration and the development of knowledge and skills relevant to a research career in psychology. This unit complements and could be combined with other units of addiction (e.g. PYB159, PYB360) to constitute a minor sequence.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB301 Psychology in the Community: Placement
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit enables you to develop your work-literacy and work-readiness, by providing opportunities to apply psychological knowledge in authentic workplace contexts, supported by activities that promote critical reflection on your learning and workplace practices. You will arrange a 50 hour work placement at relevant organisation. You will be supported by the teaching team, on-campus workshops and activities designed to promote critical reflection on your workplace experience. All students considering this unit are strongly encouraged to apply for a Blue Card (suitability for working with children and young people clearance) before the commencement of semester as this clearance is required by most of our host organisations.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB302 Applied Social and Organisational Psychology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Psychology plays a critical role in enhancing people's lives, and in the functioning of groups, communities and organisations. In this unit students are exposed to a range of social and workplace issues which can be understood and addressed using concepts and theories aligned with social and organisational psychology. PYB302 focuses strongly on the application of theoretical perspectives to formulate innovative, feasible solutions to real-world issues. Social/organisational concepts and challenges are explored from varying viewpoints (including cultural perspectives) and students gain awareness of how their knowledge of social and organisational psychology can contribute to facilitating and supporting change. Students develop important graduate attributes, including innovative thinking, teamwork skills, digital practices (using technology to collaborate and present information) and writing for broad audiences. The unit expands students' awareness of potential career options.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB306 Psychopathology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit covers the principles of diagnosis and treatment for psychopathology. Disorder aetiology, treatment approaches, and the standard of evidence that underpins our knowledge of psychopathology are discussed. You will learn about the formal systems that are used to define a clinical disorder, and how to apply classification systems for the identification of psychopathology. An integrative approach to the understanding of psychopathology is emphasised, highlighting the reciprocal influence of biological, psychological, cultural and social factors on pathological functioning. This unit will provide you with a strong understanding of the evidence and scientific methods underpinning contemporary approaches for the identification, classification, and treatment of major classes of mental illness.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB307 Health Psychology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit examines the psychological dimension of physical illness, health, and health care. There is a strong focus on health psychology in an Australian context with a focus on cross-cultural and Indigenous health-related issues. The unit examines definitions of health and health psychology; the role of health psychology; the determinants of health behaviours (e.g., cognitive, attitudinal, motivational, personality, social, developmental); community health; medical settings and patient behaviour; patient and practitioner communication; stress, illness, and coping; and chronic illness.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB309 Individual Differences and Assessment
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This unit will introduce you to key theories underpinning personality, and it will explore the extent to which key theories account for variation in personality and human behaviour. It will also cover key principles of psychological assessment, assessment methods, the relationship of assessment methods to key theories, and the ethical use of assessment tools. The unit will apply theoretical frameworks to contemporary challenges, such as depression and anxiety, work engagement, relationship distress, school achievement, and effective parenting. This unit includes a strong focus on building capability to use a mix of theory and research to inform real-world mental health problems. The unit will strengthen professional skills for those considering a future in psychology and related fields which rely on individual differences and assessment (e.g., clinical or counselling settings, educational, organisational, developmental, forensic and research settings).
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB321 Introduction to the Psychology of Trauma
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
More than half the population experiences trauma across the lifetime. Trauma is acknowledged as playing a key role in the development of mental and physical health issues. There is an increased understanding and interest in society around the prevalence and impact of trauma including domestic violence, child abuse, sudden bereavement and war. Despite this, most professionals across disciplines including psychology, social work, education and law, receive no systematic training in trauma. This introductory unit provides you with foundational knowledge about the psychology of trauma and vicarious trauma as it applies to people who experience trauma firsthand or those in professions likely to assist people who have experienced trauma. This elective complements learning across disciplines including social work, psychology, law, education and nursing. The unit is linked to core psychology units PYB100 and PYB102 and is linked to PYB304 regarding neurobiological aspects of trauma.
PYB350 Advanced Statistical Analysis
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
PYB350 extends on the analytical methods you learnt in PYB210 to more complex research designs. Research design, data analysis and associated digital capabilities are core skills in the discipline of psychology and integral to the scientist-practitioner model of professional psychological practice and research. The skills are highly valued by employers of psychology graduates. A sound understanding of research design and data analysis enables you to become critical consumers of research and to apply a strong evidence based approach to problem solving. This unit will provide you with a thorough grounding in analysis of variance techniques, multiple regression, and qualitative analysis methods, data analytic tools used in a broad range of research across the social sciences. The unit is both theoretical and practical, providing you with the ability to employ analytic software to analyse quantitative and qualitative data and to appropriately interpret and report these analyses.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB356 Counselling Theory and Practice 2
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Counselling students need to be cognizant of theory, skills, and process in order to work effectively and ethically in the modern world. At the core of the meaning of process is an assumption that counselling is about change: change that is facilitated by the therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor. This unit builds on the theoretical and skills focus of Counselling Theory & Practice 1. It seeks to develop students' capacity to monitor and reflect on how, in the role of counsellor, will manage therapeutic process when working with clients. Students will be invited to adopt a decolonising stance by actively engaging in critical thinking to consider how knowledge is created and to ensure that their counselling practice remains relevant in an increasingly diverse world.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB359 Working with Families and Groups
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
In the current health setting, counsellors and psychologists are regularly required to work with families, couples and groups. The complexity of working therapeutically with more than one person, requires specialist knowledge and skillsets. In PYB359, you will build on your existing understanding of different counselling paradigms to consider how these will be generalised to work with groups of people. The history and philosophy that underpins Systemic Family Therapy and Indigenous practice will also be explored providing students with alternate perspectives on how to support change for individuals and groups. Experiential tutorials will support you to develop practical skills and techniques to build competence and confidence in hosting family members, negotiating multiple concerns and requests and evoking change for all involved in a culturally safe manner.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
PYB360 Interventions for Addictive Behaviours
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Psychology and Counselling
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
Addictive behaviours (e.g., arising from alcohol use, tobacco use, gambling) are recognised as major problems nationally and internationally. This unit focuses predominantly on psychological aspects of addictive behaviours. The unit has a focus on the interdisciplinary nature of work within the field, including complementary treament approaches and interdisciplinary communication. To evaluate core scientific perspectives on addiction theory, classes initially review issues relating to psychological models of addiction and methods of studying addictive behaviours. Symptomatology, aetiology and assessment of addictive behaviours, as well as the theoretical underpinnings of a range of therapeutic interventions are also discussed. Following on from PYB159, this unit aims to prepare graduates for a potential career in Alcohol and Drug services.
Approval required
You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.
QUT003 QUT You: Real Action for Real Change
Unit information
- School/discipline
- Faculty of Health
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
Real world challenges such as climate change, health epidemics, data or food security are by their very nature complex. Solutions require both large scale changes through government and commercial sectors, but also locally driven action that is tailored to the nuances of a community. In this QUT You unit, you will develop an action plan related to a social, health, political or environmental real world challenge of interest. You will employ critical and creative thinking to drive positive impact. Generative AI technologies will be explored to further develop your change ideas. Your discoveries will identify the challenges, reasons for a lack of action, and likely areas of intervention that may result in a meaningful change to attitudes, technologies, and/or behaviour. Through supported classes, you will create a locally driven action plan to engage, educate, and encourage meaningful change from members of the general public or a relevant community.
QUT005 QUT You: Seeing Me, Seeing You: Skills for a Diverse World
Unit information
- School/discipline
- Faculty of Health
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
Unit synopsis
We both live and work in a diverse and multi-cultural society. To be successful in your professional and personal lives you need to recognise and appreciate the impact that your own identity and the identity of others contributes to our social interactions and relationships. This unit provides you with skills to become more culturally aware in your communication and express yourself in a confident, but respectful manner. By learning about the intricate nature of culture, language and power, and how they contribute to engagement with others, you will be better able to form meaningful and connected relationships. You will also learn to apply skills including observation, empathy, communication and social connection to understand and address power imbalances in personal and work relationships. These skills will enable you to work effectively in diverse teams and to foster inclusive environments in both personal and professional settings.
SWB100 Orientation to Social Work and Human Services
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Public Health and Social Work
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Purposefully positioned at the beginning of your course, this unit scaffolds essential learning about the scope of social work or human services, the professional context, and the changing occupational patterns of and service delivery. It is important that you start to explore your own motivation for becoming a social work or human service practitioner and begin to develop your professional identity. This unit also considers it essential that you are provided with the foundation for developing a critical approach to practice, grounded in social justice and social change. The concepts of power, oppression, privilege, and positionality will be explored. An understanding of critical practice, cultural diversity and the construction of 'difference' is presented as fundamental to commencing your reflective learning journey that you will continue throughout the social work or human services course.
SWB102 Human Development and Behaviour
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Public Health and Social Work
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Social work and human service students are studying for professional careers that enhance people's personal and social wellbeing and development, enhance problem solving in relationships, and promote human rights, social justice and culturally safe practice. To do this you need to understand how individual development and behaviour are shaped by a range of factors including biological, psychological, socio-cultural, structural, political and economic factors. You will learn about a range of theories of development and behaviour and consider the implications for social work and human service practice grounded in critical theory and anti-oppressive perspectives. You will learn about key aspects of human behaviour such as emotion, motivation and socialisation and integrate and communicate this knowledge. Studying this information in the first year of the course provides you with necessary foundational information about people and the environments that shape their lives.
SWB105 Contemporary Human Rights
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Public Health and Social Work
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This unit provides an introduction to human rights and ethics across global, regional and national contexts as essential knowledge toward building a critically oriented practice approach. It strategically positions knowledge and skills in a broad political, legal, social, cultural and economic framework. The unit examines the relationship between human rights and thematic global and national challenges including climate change, poverty, and oppressive forms of intolerance and discrimination. It offers the opportunities to investigate present day concerns relating to the human rights of women, Indigenous peoples and minority groups as well as considering specific topics such as human trafficking, harmful cultural practices, workers' rights and child soldiers. It includes a range of Australian human rights, ethical and social justice issues.
SWB108 Australian Society, Social Justice and Policy
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Public Health and Social Work
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Social work and human service professionals practice from a social justice perspective to engage with people who experience disadvantage. This unit focuses on understanding the structural dimensions of Australian society influenced by the global neoliberal context that produces, reproduces and entrenches inequality, poverty and precarity through uneven resource distribution and major social problems. Critical theory with a sociological lens is used to examine the contested space of policy (e.g. health, education, and income support), diverse institutions and systems (such as parliament, social services, media) that underpin the political economy of Australia and the welfare state. The unit is located in the first year as it provides the foundation for developing a critical orientation to practice and aspiring to create a more democratic, egalitarian society by introducing students to the fundamentals of Australian society, social policy and social service provision.