FIELD PRACTICUM & SEMINAR I

Course Details

Course Number: SOWK 4236- 01 Section Number: 01

Fall 2010

Location: Martin Hall

Classroom Number: 106

Days & Times: Mondays 1:00-2:50

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Carol Bisbee
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Course Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Critically assess field experiences and give and receive both support and criticism.

2. To use the values and ethics of the social work profession as a guide for practice.

3. To recognize personal values, characteristics, patterns of interaction, preferences and

culturally influenced beliefs and to understand ways in which personal identity can be used

to promote or hinder effective, ethical, social work practice.

4. To show commitment to social justice and non-discrimination in service delivery on behalf

of oppressed groups including racial/ethnic minorities, the aged, women, and others who

are systematically disadvantaged.

5. To understand the institutional nature of social welfare in our society, the networks by

which social services are delivered, and the processes by which social policy and programs

are formulated; to assess the need for, and to influence change in, this system to better meet the needs of clients.

6. To demonstrate basic knowledge, understanding, and skill in applying the methods of

social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

7. To know and understand the commonalities in human development through the life cycle in

addition to variations in development, behavior, and social interaction due to individual and cultural diversity in our pluralistic society.

8. To use the basic approaches and tools of systematic inquiry in a variety of practice settings.

9. To demonstrate continued professional growth through systematic self-evaluation, positive participation in the supervisory process, self-initiated efforts to keep abreast of the

expanding social work knowledge base, and affiliation with professional colleagues.

10. To work within a structured delivery system in a manner that simultaneously meets the

needs of clients and fulfills the functions of the service system, while holding oneself

accountable to the values, standards, and ethics of the profession.

Cultural

Course Expectations

1. Class Participation

2. Performance evaluation in agency.

A LEARNING CONTRACT which outlines your goals and objectives for your field placement (see materials on reserve) to be developed in consultation with your field instructor. If, during the year, you feel you need to re-negotiate this contract, the field instructor should be involved. You will be graded on your progress toward meeting the objectives of your learning contract.

FIELD EVALUATIONS

a.. Field Supervisor=s evaluation of your performance and professional growth.

b. Your evaluation of your placement supervisor and agency.

2. Field Logs: Student documentation of activities performed in agency

200-HOUR MINIMUM

Students must complete a minimum of 200 hours in the Practicum during the semester, and these hours must be verified by the Field Instructor. Completion of these 200 hours must occur no later than the end of Week 14.

Grading Standards

GRADING AND DUE DATES

A point system will be used to determine the course grade, based on the following performance criteria:

Class Participation 100 possible

Performance in Agency Setting (Due Week 15) 200 possible

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 300 points

300-267 points = A

266-233 points = B

232-199 points = C

Students receiving 198 points or less will receive a failing grade.

The Field Instructor=s Evaluation Form (Field Manual, appendix C) will be used by the social work faculty in evaluating the student=s overall performance. Dimensions rated will be: values, practice knowledge and skills, personal/professional self and development, and communication skills. The following ratings on the evaluation form will determine the points you receive

90% of ratings are five = A or 200 points

90% of ratings are four = B or 160 points

90% of ratings are three = C or 100 points

A field grade less than C is considered failing and the practicum will have to be repeated.

Submission Format Policy

PARTICIPATION:

Field Practicum and Seminar I is structured to be developed by students and faculty to meet the needs of the particular students in field each semester. Participation is therefore essential. Students are expected to

come prepared to discuss issues, questions and/or concerns related to agency placement. The seminar

provides an opportunity for students to share experiences, to gain feedback on their performance and to

develop strategies for dealing with problems which may arise. Students have the responsibility to help the seminar work. The faculty are resource persons and as such, structure and facilitate discussion and share suggestions.

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.

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

ATTENDANCE:

Each unexcused absence will result in subtraction of 50 points from the student's accumulated total at the end of the course. An absence will be considered officially excused if the student:

a. Presents a written excuse from the Office of Student Affairs.

b. Presents a written excuse from a physician.

c. Presents written documentation of attending a mandatory function (e.g., basketball team, band, etc.).

d. Obtains permission from the instructor in advance of the absence.

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.