SOAD8016 Understanding Disability and Ageing

This topic applies the life-course perspective to two populations as case studies to analyse the legal and social policy context for understanding practice in welfare systems undergoing rapid change. This topic develops a clear employment focus as students will develop skills in program innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on project design.

This topic aims to offer students an opportunity to focus on two vulnerable populations in service systems undergoing rapid change and to integrate their learning by applying a life course approach, building evidence for practice, critically analysing relevant Australian health and human social policy and service systems. The topic will focus on project design and planning to equip students with necessary skills for working in these sectors and for future social work practice.

1. Articulate issues contributing to the vulnerability of disabled children and adults; and older people across the life course
2. Demonstrate integration of critical analysis of relevant social policies and related service systems with an evidence base for practice
3. Design and plan a project related to a case study with an identified population