THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

Brenda Sweeten, MSSW, LCSW

Introduction to Social Work (SOWK 1450-001)

Spring 2017

Class Time: This course is 100% on-line

Office: Chilton 238D

Telephone: 940-369-6991

Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & by appointment

Please note that the instructor for this course has the option to revise or alter the course syllabus at any time as class needs dictate.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will provide a foundation from which students may develop a critical and analytical approach to issues related to professional social work. As the introductory course in the BSW curriculum, it is anticipated that students will gain a fundamental knowledge base from which they may begin to grow and evolve into beginning generalist social workers. This course, and the accompanying text, will cover the history of social work; various social problems; perspectives on diversity; social service delivery systems and the consumer populations; advocacy in the social work profession, and the social work interventions of practice, policy, and research.

Secondary goals for the course are familiarization with current topics of debate within the profession, an understanding of different perspectives, and exposure to professional social work values and ethics in practice with diverse client systems across the lifespan. Social work services within the community will be explored, the requirements for social work practice will be presented, and opportunities provided to discover various practice opportunities in the field.

Lastly, students will gain exposure to the helping professions and begin the process of integrating theory and practice by interviewing a social worker in an agency and having the opportunity to complete a service learning experience. There are no prerequisites required to take this course, however, the course serves as a prerequisite for those who intend to apply to the BSW Social Work Program at UNT.

This course is 100% online.

SOWK 1450 is part of the Core Curriculum at UNT as of the fall 2017 semester. As part of the core, the following four objectives will be met:

1) Critical Thinking: Students will investigate current social problems that impact society and how the social work profession serves diverse populations. Students will learn to make logical arguments to effectively analyze a social issue. Students will demonstrate how this evidence informs their understanding of a human condition. They will compare and contrast theoretical perspectives to recognize multiple perspectives and to help guide professionals in considering solutions to complex problems.

2) Communication: Students will enhance their communication skills through the development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written and oral communication. Students will learn important vocabulary and language utilized in the profession. Oral skills will be demonstrated through discussion, participation in the classroom, and other assignments. Writing skills will be demonstrated through narrative assignments that emphasize clear conceptualization and quality composition.

3) Empirical & Quantitative Skills: Students will become familiar with the scientific method to aid in understanding complex social issues. Students will understand how to effectively utilize research and interpret data to inform conclusions about social conditions and their impact. Students also understand how to assess research and evaluate differing sources of information.

4) Social Responsibility: Students will develop enhanced social responsibility through understanding of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities. Students will analyze their own perspectives and value system that influence understanding of self and the potential to make meaningful contributions to society.

COMPETENCIES & PRACTICE BEHAVIORS

The core competencies listed below are in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards 2015. Upon completion of the course, students will demonstrate the core competencies indicated below. The course objectives reflect the expected CSWE Behaviors (B) students will attain.

Core Competency / Course Objectives
Students will / Assessment
Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior (CC #1) / Students will make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context; (B #1) / ·  Exams
·  Interview of a Social Worker
·  Service Learning & Reflection Paper
Engage diversity and difference in practice(CC #2) / Students will apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies; (B #8) / ·  Exams
·  World View Paper
·  Service Learning & Reflection Paper
Engage in practice informed research and research-informed practice (CC #4) / Students will use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy and service delivery.(B # 13) / ·  Poverty Data Analysis Assignment

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS / ASSISTANCE /ACCESSIBLITY

Blackboard: Copies of the syllabus, weekly lesson modules, assignments and scores on exams and quizzes are posted on Blackboard. If you have any technical difficulty with Blackboard, contact the Student Blackboard Helpline as soon as possible at (940)565-2324 or at . Students will not be allowed to retake a quiz based on technical difficulties EXCEPT in the cases of Helpline documented, Blackboard-related technical difficulties. After you contact Blackboard about a technical issue during an assignment, get a ticket number, and email it to me via as soon as possible.

Students can visit the following link for more information about Blackboard:

http://help.blackboard.com/en-us/Learn/9.1_SP_12_and_SP_13/Student.

The following information has been provided to assist you in preparation for the technological aspect of the course.

UIT Help Desk: http://www.unt.edu/helpdesk/index.htm
Hardware and software necessary to use Bb Learn: http://www.unt.edu/helpdesk/bblearn/
Browser requirements: https://bbsupport.unt.edu/TechnicalRequirements

Headset/Microphone (if required for synchronous chats)
Word Processor

Minimum Technical Skills Needed:
Examples include:

Using the learning management system
Using email with attachments
Creating and submitting files in commonly used word processing program formats
Copying and pasting
Downloading and installing software
Using spreadsheet programs

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) Blackboard Learn Release 9.1

The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template®, or VPAT® documents Blackboard Learn 9.1's conformance with the accessibility standards under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. '794 d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105 - 220), August 7, 1998.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic integrity emanates from a culture that embraces the core values of trust and honesty necessary for full learning to occur. As a student-centered public research university, UNT promotes the integrity of the learning process by establishing and enforcing academic standards. Academic dishonesty breaches the mutual trust necessary in an academic environment and undermines all scholarship. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, forging the signature of the instructor or of another student, fabrication, and/or facilitating or sabotaging the academic dishonesty of other students.

Any suspected occurrence of academic dishonesty will be investigated and handled in accordance with UNT policy and procedures. The following academic penalties may be assessed at the instructor’s discretion upon determination that academic dishonesty has occurred. Admonitions and educational assignments are not appealable.

1.  Admonition. The student may be issued a verbal or written warning.

2.  Assignment of Educational Coursework. The student may be required to perform additional coursework not required of other students in the specific course.

3.  Partial or no credit for an assignment or assessment. The instructor may award partial or no credit for the assignment or assessment on which the student engaged in academic dishonesty, to be calculated into the final course grade.

4.  Course Failure. The instructor may assign a failing grade for the course.

Should the procedure for appeal of a case of academic dishonesty extend beyond the date when the instructor submits course grades for the semester, the student will be assigned a grade that reflects the penalty, which shall be adjusted, as appropriate, at the conclusion of any appeal process.

Specific details and description of UNT’s Policy on Student Standards of Academic Integrity (18.1.16) and students’ right to appeal are available at http://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/untpolicy/pdf/7-Student_Affairs-Academic_Integrity.pdf.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION

The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking reasonable accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with a reasonable accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request reasonable accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of reasonable accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of reasonable accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. Students are strongly encouraged to deliver letters of reasonable accommodation during faculty office hours or by appointment. Faculty members have the authority to ask students to discuss such letters during their designated office hours to protect the privacy of the student. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website athttp://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at940.565.4323.

Please note that disability accommodations are not retroactively applied to the start of a course. Accommodations in the course become effective after the student has delivered an official accommodation letter from UNT’s ODA.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR F-1 STUDENTS TAKING DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES

Federal Regulation

To read detailed Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations for F-1 students taking online courses, please go to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations website at http://www.ecfr.gov/. The specific portion concerning distance education courses is located at Title 8 CFR 214.2 Paragraph (f)(6)(i)(G).

The paragraph reads:

(G) For F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken on-line or through distance education and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class. An on-line or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing. If the F-1 student's course of study is in a language study program, no on-line or distance education classes may be considered to count toward a student's full course of study requirement.

University of North Texas Compliance

To comply with immigration regulations, an F-1 visa holder within the United States may need to engage in an on-campus experiential component for this course. This component (which must be approved in advance by the instructor) can include activities such as taking an on-campus exam, participating in an on-campus lecture or lab activity, or other on-campus experience integral to the completion of this course.

If such an on-campus activity is required, it is the student’s responsibility to do the following:

(1) Submit a written request to the instructor for an on-campus experiential component within one week of the start of the course.

(2) Ensure that the activity on campus takes place and the instructor documents it in writing with a notice sent to the International Student and Scholar Services Office. ISSS has a form available that you may use for this purpose.

Because the decision may have serious immigration consequences, if an F-1 student is unsure about his or her need to participate in an on-campus experiential component for this course, s/he should contact the UNT International Student and Scholar Services Office (telephone 940-565-2195 or email ) to get clarification before the one-week deadline.

CLASS POLICIES

REQUESTS FOR AN INCOMPLETE AND DROPS

Students may request a grade of incomplete ("I") only if he/she meets all of the following conditions:

·  The request occurs on or after April 17, 2017;

·  The student is passing the course;

·  There is a justifiable and documented reason beyond the control of the student (e.g., serious illness or military service) for not completing the course on schedule; and,

·  The student has the approval of the instructor and the department chair.

Students meeting these criteria must arrange with the instructor to finish the course at a later date by completing specific requirements outlined by the instructor. These requirements must be listed on a “Request for Grade of Incomplete” form signed by the instructor, student, and department chair. More information on UNT’s Incomplete Grade policy is available at http://registrar.unt.edu/grades/incompletes.

Requests to drop the class: We want you to succeed in this class and at UNT. If you are concerned about your progress in the course, or believe you need to drop for other reasons, it is important that you contact the instructor as soon as possible. We want to make sure that dropping the course is your best or only option.

There are consequences to dropping classes that extend beyond losing your invested time, money, and effort. Dropping one or more classes may make you ineligible for financial aid. There are also limits on the number of courses you can drop. You can learn more about this at http://registrar.unt.edu/registration/dropping-class.

If you absolutely have to drop the course, you must pick up a drop form from the Eagle Student Services Center and take it to the instructor for her/his signature. Once the instructor signs the form, you are responsible for taking it to the Registrar’s Office in the Eagle Student Services Center to have it processed. Please be aware that when you choose to drop can affect your grade:

February 24, 2017 Last day to drop a class with an automatic grade of “W” for courses that a student is not passing.

April 21, 2017 Last day a student may elect to drop a class. The instructor will assign a grade of “W” or “WF” based on the student’s actual performance-to-date in the course.

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION POLICY

Active participation is a key requirement of this course. Students who have missed more than 3 assignments in a row may be dropped from the course. Only students with a university or instructor excused absences may make up an exam or the reflection assignment. Examples of university excused absences include those necessitated by university sponsored events, or an illness which results in some form of visit to a medical doctor. Such absences require written documentation, etc. (i.e., medical doctor notes) and must be submitted within one week of the student’s return to participation. The instructor may also excuse a student on a case-by-case basis.