11. Examples of social work practice can be drawn from Australia or from international examples. 12. The number of references is entirely your own decision. Be guided by what you think is required to give you the depth of understanding of Neo-liberalist concepts; and to find examples of the impact on social work practice. Obviously 2 or 3 references will not give you sufficient depth of reading or understanding. There is a large body of information available in academic journals on this topic. 13. PLEASE read the Marking Rubric before submitting to ensure you have covered all areas adequately.

10. This essay asks you to identify key contemporary neo-liberalist concepts and discuss and analyse how these are impacting on social work practice. This discussion needs to include finding examples from areas of practice (for example, financial support for aged; disability services, unemployment benefits; child protection services; legal or health services;) and may involve discussing changes in the role of social workers over time; read how neoliberalist ideas might provide some practical and ethical challenges to how social workers want to practice their profession. Be balanced in your discussion (i.e. think about both sides of argument; what might be benefits as well as negatives). Finally, you need to think about how your deeper understanding of the contemporary social work practice environment may pose some challenges about how you would like to practice Vs the reality of practice.

6. Style consistency: Use 12pt font; APA 6th Edition referencing style; Reference list on separate page at end of essay. Use University cover sheet. 7. Academic writing requires acknowledging the source of your knowledge. Plagiarism is taken very seriously. Paraphrase the author’s work into your own words, and use quotations sparingly. If using a quote, keep it short. Quotes need a page reference (e.g. Payne, 2014, p 24). Academic essays should contain: an introduction and conclusion; use paragraphs to structure your discussion and analysis; use relevant literature and research to support your statements/discussions/analysis. Critical analysis and discussion which examines differing ideas or contrasting approaches is valued above descriptive writing.

Neo-liberalism Essay: Guidelines & Tips 1. Read the Essay Question carefully. Focus on what your answer should include. There are 3 key actions: to analyse & discuss; provide specific examples; and critically reflect on the impact on your practice framework. 2. Examine the Marking Criteria and the number of marks given to each of the 4 categories. Devote an appropriate amount of words to each of the categories based on their value. 3. This essay is 2000 words (max) in length. NOTE: The 10% rule DOES NOT APPLY within Griffith Health (School of Human Services and Social Work is part of Griffith Health). 4. What is included in the word limit? All content within the body of an assignment counts towards the word limit. This includes quotations and in-text citations and any tables/figures included within the body of an essay or report. 5. What is excluded in the word limit?

Scholarship (5 marks) Writing is organised, concise and logical; Essay is well structured with excellent use of relevant research and literature to support your arguments. Editing is excellent. (5) Writing is generally very good, with a clear structure and use of relevant literature; APA referencing accurate; overall editing is good with few errors. (4) Well written; a sound structure with arguments generally supported by relevant research or literature; some grammatical, spelling, or referencing errors. (3) Essay structure needs improvement; perhaps lacks focus or argument under-developed; maybe repetitious; wider reading list needed; more editing needed; (2) Poorly written and structured; unfocused; poor use of literature; spelling & grammar mistakes; incorrect referencing (1 or less) /5

Quality of self-reflection on challenges to your developing practice framework ( 15marks) High level of personal insight; excellent examples given to illustrate your changed thinking; demonstrated willingness to be challenged; capacity to integrate new thinking. (15-13) Very good attempt to explain impacts on your developing practice framework; good links made between concepts and your thinking. Appear willing to be challenged. (12.5-11.5) Some good examples given that demonstrate how you have been challenged by these ideas; clearer explanations would have helped, or clearer links between the concepts and your reflections. (11-10) A basic attempt to explain how your thinking and practice framework maybe influenced by neo-liberalist ideas; need to work further on self-reflection skills; need to make clear the links between the concepts and your thinking. (9.5-7.5) Vague or very limited self-reflection displayed; no clear links made between concepts and practice framework. (7 or less) /15

Some attempts at critical thinking; displayed a good understanding of how these concepts are impacting on SW practice through the use of relevant examples; would have liked more depth of analysis and/or more clarity in your supporting arguments; (11 – 10) A sound attempt at discussing the impact of neo-liberalist ideas on social work practice but needed more depth in the interpretation of the literature; arguments may have lacked structure or support or clarity. Examples perhaps not explained well. (9.5 - 7.5) Poorly argued; underdeveloped ideas; not focused on the question; poor or limited practice examples (7 or less) /15

Quality and depth of analysis and discussion of the influence of Neo-liberalism on contemporary social work practice, including relevant practice examples (15 marks) High level of critical thinking demonstrated through development of logical, empirically supported arguments; thoughtful, nuanced analysis; excellent use of relevant practice examples to illustrate and support key points; (15-13) Some good critical thinking displayed in your analysis and discussion of the impact on practice. Developed logical ideas and argument through use of appropriate practice examples. Good attempt to interpret links between concepts and practice. (12.5 – 11.5)

CRITERIA 7 6 5 4 Identification and discussion of key contemporary Neoliberalist concepts (15 marks) Demonstrates an exceptional degree of analysis of key Neo-liberalist concepts; high level of synthesis of content, as well as original thought. Outstanding foundation for discussion to follow. (15-13) Demonstrates a high level of understanding of key concepts; provided knowledgeable discussion and analysis; set strong foundation for discussion to follow. (12.5-11.5) Demonstrates a good level of engagement with the key concepts and arguments; may have benefited from a clearer explanation of ideas but the most important concepts were covered adequately. Set a solid foundation for the discussion to follow. (11-10) Most of the key concepts were identified; would have benefited from a deeper engagement with the literature to support a more comprehensive discussion of these concepts. Set a basic foundation for the essay. (9.5-7.5) 3 Key concepts were not identified or poorly discussed; lacking analysis; didn’t demonstrate understanding of key concepts; (7 or less) MARK /15