Postgraduate - UnitSWM5120 - Criminology and social work

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

The major focus of this unit is on effective methods of working with offenders in the community after they have been placed on court orders. It discusses the objectives of correctional programs and what works best for whom in terms of reducing re-offending.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should:

1. have an understanding of the field of corrections, its purpose and its relationship with social work;
2. have knowledge and understanding of the place of rehabilitation in work with offenders and how this fits with other goals of corrective programs;
3. be able to articulate the key principles of effective interventions in terms of rehabilitation work with offenders;
4. have an understanding of the nature of risk assessment and of the advantages criticisms of risk assessment;
5. be able to identify a number of correctional theories and understand how these relate to the direct practice work done by social workers in this field;
6. have an understanding of at least one of the specialist programs directed towards offenders.

Assessment

Essay (3000 words) 25%
Essay (9000 words) 75%.

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Chris Trotter