PRACTICE III

Course Details

Course Number: 4213  Section Number: 01

Fall 2011

Location: Martin Hall

Classroom Number: 106

Days & Times:

MWF 9:00-10:50

Course Attachments

Textbooks

Brody,R.and Nair,M. (2007). (8th ed.).Macro Practi
MSU Faculty Member
Carol Bisbee   
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Course Objectives

 

 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES ADDRESSED IN THIS COURSE:

Objective A-1

Students will apply critical thinking skills, and empirical knowledge of a generalist social work practice in the initial assessment through goal setting, implementation, evaluation and termination.

Objective A-2

            Students will be able to practice with the values, ethics and principles of the social work profession.  

Objective A- 4

 Students will be able to utilize the skills and knowledge of a generalist social work perspective to work with systems of all sizes.

Objective A- 5

           Students will utilize the use of supervision and consultation appropriate to social    

           work practice.

Objective B-1

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge and skills related to client’s age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, material status, national origin, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation

 

Objective B- 2

Students will be able to identify the forms and mechanisms of historical and current discrimination and oppression and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.

 Objective C- 2

             Students will be able to analyze, formulate and influence social policy.

Objective C-3

Students will be able to evaluate research to practice, apply research to practice and be able to evaluate own practice.

Objective C-4

Students will be able to communicate differentially across client populations,        colleagues, and communities.

 

OBJECTIVES OF PRACTICE III:

  1. Provide content about theories, history, and knowledge of communities and organizations as social systems within an ecological approach.
  2. Provide an understanding of the interrelationship of community and organizational systems and how their macro system changes affect the individual client problems and needs.
  3. Provide content about the ways communities, organizations, and institutions impact diverse populations historically and in the present.

4.   Provide content about the social work roles of advocate, activist, and barterer for clients in larger social systems.

  1. Help students develop the use of self as he or she develops a professional social work identity.
  2. Provide content about social work values and ethics in the community, institutions, and organizational contexts.

 

EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES:   

Students should be able to:


 

  1. Describe in writing assignments and the roles of social workers in communities, organizations, and institutions. Exhibit the ability to critically evaluate those roles through written assignments, class presentations, and special projects.
  2. Apply within the context of professional social work practice and classroom evaluative assignments, the skills developed through liberal arts education, such as critical thinking skills, information management skills, valuing skills, and research and investigative skills.
  3. Articulate in class discussion and in written work, an awareness of how communities, or organizations and institutions affect and impact diverse populations, particularly minorities and women.
  4. Demonstrate in class discussions, writing assignments, and test examination how the social worker advocates for the clients through lobbying, fund-raising, strategic planning, and community organization.
  5. Demonstrate a professional social work identity through class presentations, written evaluations of agencies and class discussions.
  6. Articulate in class discussions and in written work, how the values and principles of the social work profession support the necessity of understanding how communities, institutions, and organizations affect those in need.

Course Expectations

 

 

Letter to your legislature:

Each student will write a letter to his or her legislature about a social issue or social problem.

The topics need to fall under one of the following categories:

Child Welfare                                     Economic Equity                   

Mental Health                                     Social Services Funding        

Civil Rights Education                       Faith Based Initiatives

Health Care                                         Social Justice

Aging                            

 

 These are to be placed in an addressed/stamped envelope and given to the instructor for mailing. Do not seal the envelope. These letters will be mailed after being evaluated. Any student that does not turn in a letter will be dropped one letter grade for the semester. Please have a stamp on the envelope or I will not accept your letter.  I WILL NOT ACCEPT MONEY IN PLACE OF STAMPS.

Technological Advances: Each student will find two online advocacy websites based on the same topic that you utilized for your letter. You are to analyze the website for content, who is on the board of directors, how it receives its financial support and effectiveness of its advocacy position.


Grading Standards

 

Measurements of Outcomes: There will be four major exams, one written assignment, and a class presentation. The exams will cover lectures, videos, guest speakers, textbook material and any other material presented in class. Students will complete the educational objectives with a grade of AC@ or better at the end of this course.

                  Exam I                    = 100 points                                 A= 520-468

                  Exam II                  = 100 points                                 B= 467-415

                        Exam III                 = 100 points                                 C=414-362

                  Final Exam             = 100 points                                 D= 361-309

                  Letter to Politician  =    20 points                                F=309-0

                  Agency presentation =   50 points                             

                  Website analysis     =      50 points                 

                         Total Points =                520


Final Exam12/5/2011  8:00

Submission Format Policy

 

DESCRIPTION: This course unifies social work generalist practice knowledge and skills and applies them to diverse client groups at the community and organizational level. Foundation knowledge of human behavior, social work values, and skills for practice with individuals within groups and communities is integrated with the various roles social workers take as they work in each of these areas. As the third practice course based on the generalist model of social work practice, the course builds on the knowledge and skills presented in Practice I and Practice II. The course expands the options of intervention strategies available to the practitioner by applying system theory with an ecological approach and problem solving to the community and organizational context. The course is taken concurrently with Field Practicum I. This allows students a social work practice setting to bring to the classroom on which to develop a consortium/coalition project to demonstrate social work knowledge and skills. In addition, the overall classroom learning experience is conducted from a group problem-solving model.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

 

Any assignment not completed, will result in the final grade being dropped one (1) letter grade. 


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

 

For more than five (5) absences, the student will lose twenty (20) points per day.


Other Policies

 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

Since this is a class for students that are in professional training, all students are expected to attend all classes, complete all assignments, and participate in class discussions. Attendance is critical to the accomplishment of the learning objectives. When the professor starts speaking, the class members will become quite. Rude or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. With the exception of an occasional tardiness, students are expected to be in class and on time. Students shall not arrive late on days when there are speakers.

Students are expected to abide by the N.A.S.W. code of ethics. And behave in a respectable manner to fellow students and faculty. Students behavior maybe discussed among social work faculty.

A student may be dropped from class with a W-F if the students behavior is disruptive in class.

After five absences a student alert will be sent to the Dean of Students. At that time the student may be dropped from the class or the student will loose 20 points for each absence over 5 days. Tardiness will be considered an absence.

 

There will be no make-up exams UNLESS the student provides a written medical or other significant excuse. A student leaving the classroom for any reason during an exam, will turn-in the exam as completed. Any late papers will be lowered one letter grade (A to B) each day late, including non-school days. On Scantron sheets mark hard and erase well as there will be ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGES after exams are scored!


 

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Anyone caught plagiarizing will be asked to hold a conference with the instructor and proper disciplinary action will be taken to the discretion of the instructor.

The instructor support the Midwestern State University policy regarding students with disabilities provided the instructor is aware of the situation. Any student with a disability that interferes in their ability to participate in the provided classroom experience is requested to bring the situation to the attention of the instructor and/or the Counseling Center. Confidentiality will be upheld.

 

ASSIGNMENTS: Students are expected to do the assigned readings in preparation for each class. Only in that way will the student is prepared adequately to participate in active listening and in discussion.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.