Whittier College Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work
SOWK 245: Legal Issues in Social Work
January 2015
Instructor: Tina Ibanez Yates, J.D.
Class Location: Science 304
Day/Time: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.***Outreach Days, January 14, 2015 1:30-6 p.m. & January 23, 2015 1:30-6:00 p.m.
Office Hours: By appointment only. I am usually available immediately after class.
Office: Platner 213
Mail Box: Platner Hall Reception Area
Telephone: Daytime: 562-907-4390 (leave a message with Olivia)
Email:
Whittier College Social Work Program Mission Statement:
The Whittier College undergraduate Social Work Program seeks to prepare diverse students to become self-reflective, compassionate, ethical, knowledgeable, and skilled generalist social workers; social workers who are committed to life long learning. We prepare students to practice in the aid and empowerment of diverse groups, particularly vulnerable and oppressed communities. We work for the advancement of human rights in local, national, and global environments.
Affirming the historical roots and mission of Whittier College, the Social Work Program provides learning experiences that inspire students to become advocates for peace and social and economic justice. Student learning is a combination of “knowing” and “doing” grounded in the liberal arts foundation, interdisciplinary, research-based knowledge, and problem solving. We value generalist skill development that prepares reflective social work practitioners dedicated to promoting human well-being and shaping and nurturing the profession for the twenty-first century.
Understanding Generalist Social Work Practice:
Generalist social work practitioners promote human well being for both diverse and oppressed groups in individual, family, group, organizational, community, and global settings. They utilize self-awareness, critical thinking, evidence-based knowledge, professional values, and a wide range of skills to collaborate with others to create life-affirming changes. Generalist social work practitioners, under supervision, engage in social justice practice through interactive phases of change which include:
1. Engagement: collaborating with clients/partners to promote helping relationships;
2. Teaching & learning: a mutual process of discovering client/partner strengths and challenges and planning for strategic change;
3. Action & accompaniment: working together with clients/partners to create and support meaningful change;
4. Evaluation & critical reflection: assessing the process with clients/partners and reflecting on the personal and professional experience; and
5. Celebration and new engagements: affirming success and planning with clients/partners for sustained growth and further change.
Reference: Finn, J.L. & Jacobson, M. (2003). Just Practice. Peosta, Iowa: Eddie Bowers Publishing Co., Inc.
Course Description:
This introductory course will provide students with a basic understanding of the laws, legal processes, and legal systems relating to social work practice in the context of social welfare, and the variety of ways that social work practice and law intersect. Topics to be addressed will include, but are not limited to human rights, discrimination, social services, juvenile delinquency, criminal justice and child welfare. Because most topics in this course could be expanded to a full semester of study, students should view this course as a broad foundation for further exploration and growth. We will compare and contrast the ethical duties of social workers and attorneys, particularly in the context of collaborative efforts between the two professions.
Course Objectives:
1. Enable students to identify the impact the legal system has on the social worker and his/her clients, as well as the social worker’s role in the legal system;
2. Provide students with a basic understanding of the structure and processes of the legal system in the United States;
3. Introduce students to legal reasoning, legal analysis, critical thinking and advocacy through written and oral communication;
4. Explore current social and legal controversies, particularly those relating to social justice and welfare issues within the United States and globally;
5. Encourage students to think critically about ethical issues related to social work and the law. We will review portions of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics and the Rules of Professional Conduct that guide the ethical responsibilities of attorneys in California;
6. To work collaboratively with outside social service agencies such as Los Angeles Public Counsel in the Connecting Angelinos to Resources and Essential Services (“CARES”).
7. To be aware of ways in which social workers can assist in the protection of and advocacy for clients through work with social institutions and practitioners of law.
Statement of Need:
Students with any disability, either permanent or temporary, who need accommodations to meet the requirements of this class are encouraged to discuss their confidential needs with the course instructor as soon as possible. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made for equitable participation.
Contractual Understanding:
While this syllabus constitutes a contract between the instructor and the students, the terms of the contract are subject to change in order to accommodate unforeseen events/concerns and promote flexibility in learning and teaching. Such changes will be discussed openly in class and students will be informed of them in a timely fashion.
Cell Phone & Texting Policy
As a member of a learning community, each student has a responsibility to each other as members of that community. When cell phones are used in class, including receiving and/or sending text messages, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the use by students of cell phones, PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes is prohibited. All such devices must be turned off or put on silent (vibrate) mode and should not be taken out during class.
If for some reason you are expecting an emergency call and/or text, please notify me before class and I can make an exception depending on the circumstance.
We will have a break half way through class so that you can check your messages and/or respond to them accordingly.
Course Format:
The course is a combination of lecture, films, discussion (debates), exams, and field activities. Your participation in this class is essential to a successful learning environment. These are some of the ways other students have been successful in achieving the course outcomes:
§ Student-initiated/led class discussions and debates
§ Reading all assigned materials before class so that you can fully engage, reflect and participate in class discussions.
§ I will cover only major components of the reading materials so it is up to you to make the necessary connections between the lectures, class discussions and assigned readings.
§ Thoughtfully completing drafts and final copies of writing assignments
§ Personal reflections of how the materials relate to you
§ Guest educators sharing practice experience
Required Moodle Access:
You must activate your Whittier College Moodle account for this class. I will post assignments and handouts on the class Moodle cite. It is your responsibility to check Moodle to fully participate in this class. Additionally, I will use email to communicate with you about important information pertaining to the course through Moodle.
Required Readings:
Textbook: Rome, S.H. (2013). Social work and law: Judicial policy and forensic practice. Boston: Pearson.
You can rent the text for $46.99 at: http://www.coursesmart.com/IR/2024798/9780205776900?__hdv=6.8
Or purchase an on-line e-copy through www.pearsonhighered.com
Handouts:
Additional readings will come from various handouts provided during the course.
Grading:
Your final grade in this course will be comprised of the following[1]:
1. Attendance 10%
2. Participation 10%
3. Journals/Homework Tasks 20%
4. CARES project 100 points (30%)
5. Final 100 points (30%)
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance: We will be meeting approximately fourteen (14) class sessions and will have a few outside field trips. Thus, your attendance and participation in all class sessions and field trips are mandatory. A sign-in sheet will be sent around each class period. Understanding that life happens, students can miss one (1) class ONLY due to illness, work, etc. For each additional absence beginning with the second absence, regardless of the reason, your attendance score will be reduced by 10 points for each absence. (Remember, your attendance counts for 10% of your total grade). Excused absences are at the SOLE discretion of Professor Yates. They are unlikely to be given barring extenuating circumstances. As this is a four-unit course, we will move quickly through the material and for each day you are absent, you will be missing approximately 7% of the course. Your attendance is necessary. You are responsible for obtaining any homework assignments/tasks if you are absent, including the reading assignments. Being absent on a given day only gives you one day to turn in any missing work that was due. Your attendance accounts for 10% of your overall grade.
2. Participation: Your participation in class discussions and field trips must demonstrate that your physical attendance is accompanied by mental awareness and a desire to be involved. Your participation accounts for 10% of your total grade, which is significant. You will receive a daily score on participation, up to 5 points can be earned for ACTIVE and THOUGHTFUL PARTICIPATION. You will receive 3 points for merely attending class. If you come to class prepared and actively engage in the learning environment, you can earn 4-5 points per day. You can see me after each class and I will provide you with your daily participation score. It is up to you to decide how many points you will earn and how this will impact your overall grade! Participation is key to success in this class!
3. Field Trip to Dependency Court: We will have a field trip to the Los Angeles Dependency Court during this course. The date is still to be determined. You are required to attend the field trip to the Edelman’s Children’s Court in Monterey Park. We will be meeting in the courthouse on the 5th floor, in front of Department 423 at 9:00 a.m. Thus, you will need to plan to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. in order to park and make it through security and up the elevators to meet by 9:00 a.m. SHARP. We will be carpooling. Directions will be distributed in class. You must dress in business casual attire as you will be entering courtrooms in session. This will count towards attendance and participation.
4. Reading Assignments: The required readings will be assigned on a per class basis. The readings will come from the textbook and a variety of handouts. It is your responsibility to obtain reading assignments given in class in the event of your absence on any given day. Your absence on a previous day is not an excuse for being unprepared. Check Moodle!
5. Journals: Each student will be required to complete various journals (will be typed and uploaded onto Moodle) throughout the course. Sometimes the journal prompts will be given in class, and other times they will be on our Moodle site for homework. They will be based upon class discussions, readings, films, and/or field trips. Each journal entry will have different requirements. I will post requirements for each journal that is due. Journals are graded on a 10 pt. scale. For each day your journal is late you will receive an automatic 2 pt. deduction. For example, if your paper is due in class, your paper will be considered 1 day late immediately after class and will continue to receive deductions until the paper is received by Professor Yates.
Homework Tasks: Throughout the course, I will assign small homework tasks to complete that will have different due dates. All information will be on our Moodle site.
Your journal/homework grade accounts for 20% of your total overall grade.
6. Connecting Angelinos to Resources and Essential Services “CARES”: We will participate in Los Angeles Public Counsel’s CARES program (formally known as “GRAP”) where you will be trained by Public Counsel Staff on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and thereafter take part in an outreach sessions at a local Department of Public Social Services (“DPSS”) office under the direct supervision of public counsel and Professor Yates. The CARES project comprises three goals:
(1) Providing legal advocacy for persons illegally denied or terminated from public benefits at DPSS;
(2) Advocating to the DPSS and County Government to more effectively administer public benefits; and
(3) Raising awareness of underserved populations and promoting public interest legal services to these populations by the legal profession.
The primary objective and overall goal of CARES is to ensure that all residents of Los Angeles County who are experiencing a crisis are able to access the benefits they need and are entitled to from the DPSS in order to become more productive and contributing members of society.
Your participation in CARES will consist of 30% of your total grade. (50 points for the outreach session and 50 points for the Praxis Journal) It is mandatory that you attend the training on January 13, 2015, which is scheduled during our regular class time. If you miss the training, you will not be allowed to complete the project and will have your grade AUTOMATICALLY reduced by 25%. The following dates have been reserved with Public Counsel for outreach sessions (You must choose one date): Wednesday, January 14, 2015 or Friday, January 23, 2015. A sign-up sheet will go around after the training. Once you have signed up for a session, you will not be allowed to switch without permission from Professor Yates. There is a maximum of 6 students at each session. All outreach sessions will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. at the designated location (to be determined) and will conclude at approximately 6:00 p.m. You are required to stay for the entire outreach session—no execptions!!!
Praxis Journal:
At the conclusion of your CARES outreach session, you will have a 3-5 page praxis journal due reflecting upon your experience. Your paper will be due as follows: If your outreach session was on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, your journal is due uploaded onto Moodle on Monday, January 19, 2015; if your outreach was Friday, January 23, 2015, your journal will be due uploaded onto Moodle on Monday, January 26, 2015. In order to obtain full credit for the CARES project, you must complete all three portions of the project (the training, the outreach session, and the praxis journal). No partial credit will be given. The praxis journal prompt will be uploaded onto Moodle.
7. Final Exam on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: 30% of your grade. You will complete an exam in class that will be comprised on multiple choice, short answer, and essays.