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2013-08-15SOWK2010 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK

Tennessee State University
Social Work Program / Introduction to Social Work
SOWK2010-01
Fall 2013
Credits: 2
Instructor: Michael A. Wright
Email:
Office: Elliott Hall 302 / Time: 1:00pm -2:00pmTR
Location: Elliott Hall 309
Office Phone:963-7673

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is to provide an Introduction to the generalist perspective of social work practice and the profession of Social Work. This course will help students develop a more authentic understanding and appreciation of the profession. Students will be exposed to what social workers do and the importance of considering the environmental context that surrounds all decisions.

REQUIREDTEXTS

Dulmus, C.N. and Sowers, K.M. (2012). Social work fields of practice: Historical trends, professional issues, and future opportunities. Hoboken, NJ:Wiley & Sons.

Paperback: 978-1118176924

Kindle Edition ASIN: B00BLTAEJ6

SKILLS & ASSESSMENTS

Skill / Assessment
Define Social Work as a Profession. / Examination
Identify Social Work Professional techniques. / Examination
Articulate the Social Work professional culture and practice contexts. / Final Examination

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & NOTES

I.PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

All students are expected to demonstrate the following:

Expectation / Definition
Identify as a professional social worker / As students, you can expect to have your current knowledge, skills, and values challenged as you learn and wrestle with professional social work knowledge, skills, and values in the development of a professional social work identity.
Demonstrate a Proactive Commitment to Learning / As a student, you are expected to take time to review the syllabus and workload of the course to make a self-assessment to your abilities to fulfill the course requirements. As needed, you should request additional information about assignments or grading procedures. Faculty may respond to your request individually or as a group, in class or out of class time. If you recognize a conflict between due dates in the course and your personal responsibilities, notify your professor immediately to problem-solve and negotiate a resolution.
Utilize Resources and Feedback with Efficacy / As a student, you are expected to identify and communicate concerns you have and to seek out help. Likewise, as a student, you need to be open to feedback by the faculty on your work and professional behaviors and be willing to effectively use and integrate that feedback into future work and your understanding of professional social work behaviors. If you are unable to contact a professor or other support resource, be sure to take note of the time, date, mode of contact to record a concrete timeline of events. This will help us improve the system of support so that it better responds to your needs.
Communicate Effectively with respect and cultural competence / Students are expected to develop communication and language that does not attack individuals for beliefs, but engages in dialogue concerning substantive issues, demonstrates critical thinking, and is supported by a rationale and evidence.
Apply Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills / Students are expected to ask questions in a way that demonstrates your knowledge and your thought process. In asking questions, students may adopt the following manner: “I understand that this is… but I don’t see how this relates to that?” or “May I have a point of clarity?”
Demonstrate Self-Awareness and Ethical Conduct / Students are expected to embrace the idea that you represent the social work profession when you are in the community and working with our partner agencies. You are also expected to take time to become familiar with the NASW Code of Ethics. You will, also, need to set time aside to reflect on, to integrate, and to assess your learning about and understanding of ethical decision making.
Manage a Healthy & Balanced Lifestyle effectively Managing Stress / Students are expected to take advantage of the multitude of resources available during matriculation. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to someone and see out help.

FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE ABOVE PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE INSTRUCTOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, AND THE UNIVERSITY.

II. ACCOUNTABILITY POLICY

NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Each student must plan to complete assignments ahead of the posted due dates in order to ensure that no surprises will inhibit the timely completion any of the assignments. Staffing, Courier, Email or other technological excuses for late work will NOT be accepted.Late work is NOT accepted (all assignments are due by 5pm on the specified day). Assignments not submitted by the due date will receive a zero (0) grade.

III.GOVERNING POLICY DOCUMENTS

Social Work Students are expected to submit all work in compliance with Tennessee State University’s Academic Integrity Policy and other applicable policies detailed in the University Student Handbook, Departmental Policy & Procedures Manual, and Departmental Student Handbook. In addition, social work students are expected to adhere to the Social Work Code of Ethics available for review at

IV. STATEMENT REGARDING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with documented disabilities are encouraged to inform the instructor and university of any disability. Contact the Disabled Student Services Office at 963-7400 if you require documentation and/or accommodation. The Department of Social Work in conjunction with the Office of Disabled Student Services makes reasonable accommodations for qualified students with medically documented disabilities. The instructor must be presented with documentation of your disability prior to the due date of assignments. More information is available at

V. ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to be in attendance and in learning posture once class role is called. Tardiness will result in a zero grade on any in-class assignments and a one point reduction in final grade for each absence. University policies governing attendance shall be observed, i.e. 3 tardies = 1 absence. Because the classroom interaction is so important to value integration, this course makes no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. After your second absence, 5 percent will be deducted from your final grade per absence.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS

VOLUNTEER SERVICE

This course requires 30 hours of volunteer service at any community services agency. The professor has engaged AuntBertha.com for volunteer hours. Your task is to profile social services agencies in the Nashville Metro Area. Receive 2 points=1 hour for each agency profiled.

MEETING SCHEDULE

DATES / LESSON TOPICS / LEARNING ACTIVITIES / RESOURCES
AUG 27 / PROFESSIONALISM EXPECTATIONS & Orientation to Problem-Based Learning / Articulate the requirements of the class.
AUG 29 / WHAT IS SOCIAL WORK? / Define the social work profession.
Compose your first HD Essay in class.
SEP 3 / SIMULATION / Chapter 2. Family-Centered Practice: A System-Based Approach to Strengthening Families 55
SEP 5 / DEBRIEFING
SEP 10 / SIMULATION / Chapter 6. Social Work Disability Practice 159
SEP 12 / DEBRIEFING
SEP 17 / SIMULATION / Chapter 7. Geriatric Social Work: A Field of Practice 183
SEP 19 / DEBRIEFING
SEP 24 / SIMULATION / Chapter 4. Substance Abuse 113
SEP 26 / DEBRIEFING
OCT 1 / SIMULATION / Chapter 10. Social Work Practice With the Military 273
OCT 3 / DEBRIEFING
OCT 8 / NO CLASS: SSCBT TRIP
OCT 10 / NO CLASS: SSCBT TRIP
OCT 15 / NO CLASS – FALL BREAK
OCT 17 / NO CLASS: NACSW TRIP
OCT 22 / SIMULATION / Chapter 3. School Social Work 81
OCT 24 / DEBRIEFING
OCT 29 / EXAMINATION
OCT 31 / NO CLASS: CSWE TRIP
NOV 5 / SIMULATION / Chapter 12. Immigrant and Indigenous Populations: Special Populations in Social Work 333
NOV 7 / DEBRIEFING
NOV 12 / Introduction & Families / Financial Social Work
NOV 14
NOV 19 / Credit, Debt & Assets
NOV 21
NOV 26 / Career Opportunities
NOV 28 / NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING
DEC 3 / Reports on Volunteer Service
DEC 5 / REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAMINATION

FINAL EXAMINATION ACCORDING TO POSTED UNVERSITY SCHEDULE

FINALS WEEK December 6-13
BIBLIOGRAPHY - SOWK 2010

Axinn, J., & Stern M., (2004) Social Welfare: A History of the American Response to Need: Boston, Massachusetts: (Allyn & Bacon)

Colby, I., & Dziegielewski, S. (2004) Social Work the People’sProfession

Compton, B. & Galaway, B. (1999). (6th Edition). Social Work Process. California: Brooks/Cole.

Crosson-Tower, C. (2004) 3rd Edition. Exploring Child Welfare. Boston: Allyn & Bacon Publishers.

DuBois, B. & Miley, K. (1999). (3rd Edition). Social Work: an Empowering Profession. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Engel, G. L.(1977). “The need for a new medical model" Science 196:129–136.

Fong & Furuto (2001) Culturally Competent Practice Skills, Intervention and Evaluations: Allyn & Bacon.

Ginsberg, L (2001) Careers in Social Work Massachusetts: Allyn $ Bacon.

Johnson, H. (1998) (5th Edition) The Social Service: an Introduction. Illusion: Peacock Publishers.

Morales, A., & Sheafor, B. (2001) Social Work A Profession of Many Faces: Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.

Samantrai, K (2004). Culturally Competent Public Child Welfare. California: Thompson-Brooke-Cole.

Wright, M. (2010). Introduction to Social Work. Nashville: MAWMedia Group. ISBN: 978-0-9842170-1-4 $80.00

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2013-08-15SOWK2010 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK

EVALUATION FORMAT

Graded Items in this Course / % Achieved / Points Possible / % Achieved / Points Possible
Examination 1 / 25
Final Examination / 50 / Volunteer Experience / 30
COLUMN TOTAL / 75 / COLUMN TOTAL / 30
Final Point Total
Used to Calculate Your Final Grade. Calculate your final grade dividing total POINTS ACHIEVED by 1.05 / 105

GRADING SCALE

A = 90 – 100B = 80 – 89C = 70 – 79D = 60 – 69F = 59 and below

STUDENT LEARNING SELF-ASSESSMENT

FALLSEMESTER 2013

This survey is to be completed and turned in at the end of the semester when this course is completed. Your response on this survey does not impact your grade.The information you provide is used todetermine possible social work program improvements.

Limited Grasp of the Skill / Below Average Grasp / Average Grasp / Above Average Grasp / Exceptional Grasp of the Skill
Define Social Work as a Profession. /  /  /  /  / 
Identify Social Work Professional techniques. /  /  /  /  / 
Articulate the Social Work professional culture and practice contexts. /  /  /  /  / 
Formulate and communicate reason in writing. [WRITE] /  /  /  /  / 

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