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Overview

Organisational and community theories, patterns and change and their application within community and social services in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Students will apply an understanding of self, community and social justice to the organisational context.

About this paper

Paper title Communities and Organisations - Analysis and Theory
Subject Social Work
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period(s) Semester 1 (Distance learning)
Semester 1 (On campus)
Delivery mode The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,103.10
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
SOWK 553, SOWX 303
Limited to
BSW
Notes
(i) May not be taken by students who have passed both (SOWK 234 or SOWX 234) and (SOWK 235 or SOWX 235). (ii) Non-BSW students may be admitted to this paper with approval from the Head of the Social and Community Work Programme.
Eligibility
This paper is designed for students who have been admitted into the Bachelor of Social Work programme.
Contact

socialwork@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Dr Kerri Cleaver

Paper Structure

The paper is taught in 3 modules:

  1. Community - Students will develop an understanding of communities, diversity and social needs in the context of Social Work.
  2. Social Justice - Social organisations relationship with social justice will be explored. The lived experience of those experiencing social injustice is looked at as  a foundation of Social change in organisations.
  3. Social Service Organisations - we finish off exploring organisational theory, values and structures as a mechanism for Social Work practice.
Teaching Arrangements

The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.

There is one compulsory workshop for this paper; information about this is provided in the course books. Other teaching arrangements are by lecture and Blackboard participation.

Textbooks

Required readings will be provided.

Course outline
The course outline is included in the course books.
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Upon successfully completing this paper students will be able to:

  • Understand the basic dynamics and patterns of organisational and community relationships across cultural boundaries and the forces shaping contemporary patterns
  • Understand and critically evaluate the different major models of organisational and community change and their practical implications for working in the community
  • Identify and assess differing explanations of change in a variety of cultural and geographic settings
  • Analyse and evaluate community-based policy at all levels of decision making

Overview

Organisational and community theories, patterns and change and their application within community and social services in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Students will apply an understanding of self, community and social justice to the organisational context.

Students in this paper will develop the skills of creating an infographic and social service analysis and participate in a photographic exhibition of social justice and community responses.

About this paper

Paper title Communities and Organisations - Analysis and Theory
Subject Social Work
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period(s) Semester 1 (Distance learning)
Semester 1 (On campus)
Delivery mode The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
SOWK 553, SOWX 303
Limited to
BSW
Notes
(i) May not be taken by students who have passed both (SOWK 234 or SOWX 234) and (SOWK 235 or SOWX 235). (ii) Non-BSW students may be admitted to this paper with approval from the Head of the Social and Community Work Programme.
Eligibility
This paper is designed for students who have been admitted into the Bachelor of Social Work programme.
Contact

socialwork@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Dr Kerri Cleaver

Paper Structure
  1. Community: Students will develop an understanding of communities, diversity and social justice needs in the context of social work.
  2. Theory: Theoretical understandings of social work and particularly social service delivery will be explored with a critical analysis of historical and contemporary approaches to delivery.
  3. Students will develop a social change and organisational analysis approach to understanding community and organisations in the Aotearoa context.
Teaching Arrangements

The distance learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.

There is one compulsory workshop for this paper; information about this is provided in the course books. Other teaching arrangements are by lecture and Aoroa participation.

Textbooks

There is no set textbook for this paper. Students will be provided with a diverse literature list through eReserve.

Course outline
The course outline is included in the course books.
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Upon successfully completing this paper students will be able to:

  • Understand the basic dynamics and patterns of organisational and community relationships across cultural boundaries and the forces shaping contemporary patterns.
  • Understand and critically evaluate the different major models of organisational and community change and their practical implications for working in the community.
  • Identify and assess differing explanations of change in a variety of cultural and geographic settings.
  • Analyse and evaluate community-based policy at all levels of decision making.
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