Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: HUSO5238C

Course Title: Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5432 - Diploma of Community Services

Course Contact: Bella Kelly

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4109

Course Contact Email: Bella. Kelly@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 100

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to analyse impacts of sociological factors when undertaking community work and associated services.

The unit describes the application of knowledge of the broad social and cultural context in which work is planned and implemented in the community services industry.

This unit is delivered and assessed in a cluster with CHCPRP003 Reflect and improve own professional practice

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCDEV005 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services
Element:	1. Identify social and cultural issues impacting on people and society.
Performance Criteria:	1.1. Identify ways in which social and cultural issues can impact individuals and family groups. 1.2. Examine the effects and experiences of inequality on individuals and family groups. 1.3. Identify sociological impacts of long-term unemployment and associated issues on individuals and families. 1.4. Identify sociological factors associated with age in society and the impact on individuals and families in communities.
Element:	2. Analyse impacts of social and cultural factors on people.
Performance Criteria:	2.1. Use available information to identify and analyse social and cultural factors impacting on individual people, groups or communities. 2.2. Clarify current health, wellbeing and associated needs for individuals, groups, and communities. 2.3. Make informed decisions in consultation with supervisor in relation to specific work to be undertaken and services to be provided to people.
Element:	3. Monitor impact of social and cultural factors on community work and services provided to people.
Performance Criteria:	3.1. Monitor impact of work undertaken and services provided to people, according to organisational policies and procedures and within the scope of own job role. 3.2. Review effectiveness of work undertaken and services provided, in relation to identified social and cultural factors impacting on people, groups and communities. 3.3. Revise organisational policies and procedures and work undertaken and services provided to better address social and cultural issues and enhance outcomes for persons, groups and communities.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 

Details of Learning Activities

This course has a blended delivery.  Classes are delivered face to face with some online sessions. Types of learning activities include: 

• practical demonstrations
• online Discussion Forums, Groupwork and Quizzes
• analysis/critique of relevant reading material
• workshops, group discussion
• group activities/projects
• peer learning
• guest lecture/presentation
• research activities
• independent project based work
• group activities/projects
• simulated workplace activities

Teaching Schedule

Course Schedule                    Reflective and Effective Practice                                                                                       2025
SEMESTER 1 2025
Week	Topic	Assessment due dates
Week 1	Course Overview Overview of course – Content, Assessments, Placements. Intro to Sociology What makes Sociology : Introduction to Sociology as field of study Historical context Sociological Imagination: Linking Private lives to public issues
Week 2 Online	Online class Sociological Analysis What is a Sociological Analysis Undertaking a Sociological Analysis Reading – Haralambos Chapter 1
Week 3 Online	Online class Sociology and social theory Space, Place and Time - the self in relation to society Socialisation and Social Structures Studying society and social behaviour Understanding the role and function of major institutions in Australian society
Week 4 PWS	Placement preparation and information –
Week 5	Sociological Walk Excursion: First Peoples exhibition at Bunjilaka Cultural Centre – Melbourne Museum DIV002 - Self directed
Week 6 Online	Online class Bunjilaka reflections Reflections on Excursion Bunjilaka First People’s response discussion board Readings – Closing the Gap Functionalism What is Functionalism? History A Theoretical overview Functionalism Functionalism assumptions Functionalism and Change A critique of Functionalism
Week 7 Online	Online class Marxism   History A Theoretical overview of Marxism Capitalism and Social inequality
Week 8	Feminist Theories Guest Speaker- TBC History A Theoretical overview of Feminism Feminism and Community Work
Week 9 Online	Online class Political and economic theory Political and economic theory Narrated PowerPoint on Marxism Reading – Haralambos Chapter 15 DIV002 Self directed
Week 10 Online	Online class Deviance, Crime and Social Control Sociology and Deviance Labelling theory Sociological theories of crime
	Mid Semester break
Week 11 PWS	Placement preparation and information
Week 12	Analysing the impact of social and cultural issues - Prepare for and commence Assessment Task 1 in class Understanding the ways major institutions in Australian society can impact clients lives such as Jenna's Identifying the effects and consequences of inequality on clients such as Jenna Understanding the impacts of long-term unemployment and associated issues Identifying factors associated with age and their impact on clients
Week 13 Online	Online class Environmental Sociology What is Environmental Sociology? History Relationship between society and the environment. Impacts of climate change on Community Work	Assessment task 1 Due
Week 14 Online	Online class Working with clients and colleagues Determining needs and clarifying the social and cultural factors impacting clients Recognising the effect of values, beliefs and behaviour Ensuring client participation and engagement Advising, referring or providing clients with access to services
Week 15	Sociology and social change What is social change What is its relevance to Community Services Social change and Imagination
Week 16	Intro to Reflective Practice Implementing reflective practice to improve performance What is Reflective Practice? History of Reflective Practice Applying / Implementing reflective practice to improve performance Different Models Practical application (Placement Assessments 2,3 & 4)
Week 17 Online class	Assessing practice and seeking feedback Assessing practice against role requirements, industry practice and standards, and ethical and legal requirements Seeking and analysing feedback Supervision Self-Care and Supervision Conducting training needs analysis Conducting a training needs analysis Identifying your preferred learning style
Week 18 Online class	Assessment catch up and review
	Semester Break

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Access Course Overview

Overview of Assessment

There are four individual assessment tasks consisting of case study analysis, reflection activities and short answer questions. 

Assessment Tasks

You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.

 

Assessment task 1: Case study Scenario demonstrating students knowledge knowledge of the sociological factors affecting a family.

Assessment 2: This assessment  is completed in your Work Integrated Learning Placement. The Reflective Practice report demonstrates students ability to use a structured process to reflect on and improve their own practice.

Assessment Task 3: This assessment  is completed in your Work Integrated Learning Placement. The Placement Supervisors Report will provide evidence of your 100 hour placement and also reflect on your experiences. Please note these hours form half of your placement requirements, as you will need to complete a further 100 hours for the Case Management unit (CHCCSM013) - total of 200 hours. 

Assessment task 4: This assessment  is completed in your Work Integrated Learning Placement. The Personal Development Plan demonstrates students ability to create a personal development plan that includes goals, timeframes and ways of measuring progress.

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix is located in canvas at the end of each assessment task.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students

Course Overview: Access Course Overview