Introduction to Social Work

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this course student should be able to:

1. Discuss the mission of social work
2. Describe and discuss the history of social welfare and social work in the United States.
3. Identify the organizational settings where professional social work is practiced, the target            

       populations served, and the roles of social workers today.

1. Describe and analyze in some depth the problems of diverse and special populations in the United States .
2. Recognize the significance of human diversity and the differences among people and groups  created by biological, cultural and social factors. Discuss social work values of respect for individual, biological, and cultural differences.
3. Recognize the interrelationships among social work practice, societal change, social         problems, social programs, and social welfare policy utilizing the social systems perspective, taking diversity into consideration.
4. To identify differences between one’s own values and those of social work. Define appropriate ethical conduct in practice situations

REQUIRED TEXT:Kirst- Ashman,K.(2010).Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare:Critical Thinking Perspectives (3rd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Internet Resources:

An electronic version of the book is available for purchase at Cengage.com and includes free access to the student study guide.  The Cengage web site also has practice exams and learning tools.  You can access this site using the ISBN of your text.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

1.    There will be three non-cumulative exams, including the final. Reading assignments are listed on the course outline. Attendance is critical to the accomplishment of the learning objectives.

2.    Standard grading is used: 90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; Below 60%= F.

3.    Volunteering:

a. Each student will volunteer at a social service agency. A list of possible sites will be provided in class.

b.  You are to volunteer for 20 hours.

c.  Notify the professor in writing, using the attached form, where and when you are volunteering, with the name and telephone number of the person who will be supervising you.

d. These 20 hours are to be completed no later than the due date on the course outline.

e.  You must request a signed statement from your supervisor that you have completed your 20 hours. This statement should be attached to your agency report and should be on agency stationary. This is to be stapled to your report.

f.  Credit for the reports will not be given until 20 hours of volunteer time are documented.

4.AGENCY REPORT ASSIGNMENT

The paper must be typed (double space). Please write each question and then follow the question with the answer.  Questions #13 & #14 should be very thorough and require some thought.Your paper will not be accepted without verification that you completed the 20 hour volunteer assignment. Incomplete grades will not be given for late assignments unless there is documented proof of a real emergency, therefore, get your hours completed and your paper finished by the due date.

Answer the following in at least two pages:

1. Name of agency and location.

2. Date agency established.

3. Original purpose for the agency. Has the mission changed?

4. Eligibility of its clients.

5. Sources of original funding. Are they the same today?

6. What is the goal of the agency?

7. What agencies does it work closely with?

8. Where do referrals come from?

9. How many clients were served last year?

10. What are the requirements for professional employment at the agency?

11. Who has the final word in decision making?

12. How does (or could) the agency use research?

13. Your impressions: What happened? What did you observe? Would you want to work in this type of setting?

14. What do you think it would be like to be a “real” client?

15. Are there social workers where you volunteered? If so, in what capacity? What are the qualifications of the people with whom you dealt?

Criteria for evaluation of agency reports:

Clarity, conciseness, and organization         25%       Completeness             25%

Support for conclusions                                25%       Writing mechanics      25%

5. Ethics Assignment: completed in class

 Students will be given a copy of the NASW code of ethics and a copy of the Code of Conduct which is   part of the social work licensing law in Texas.  Students will get in small groups and discuss the              similarities and differences in the two. The student must be present the day of the exercise to receive       credit. Attendance will be taken.

6.  Strengths Assessment and Treatment Plan:

     Students will form small groups in class and read a brief case summary.  They will list the strengths           and weaknesses of the clients in the summary.  They will write a treatment plan which will include            what each client will do and what the social worker will do and how ethics and social justice affected        the plan. They will evaluate how effective they think the treatment plan will be.  The student must be         present the day of the exercise to receive credit.

7.  Cooperation, Respect and Relationship Exercise:

Students will participate in two (2) exercises (tire tube and Alligator River story) followed by      processing the experience.  The exercises contrast social work skills and values including                      communication, cooperation and respect with judgment and the different results these create in             relationships.

8.  Identifying the client and ethical choices:

     Students read a case study and in small groups identify the client(s) and determine ethical choices for        practice.  They also determine a treatment plan for the case.

COURSE OUTLINE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this course student should be able to:

1. Discuss the mission of social work
2. Describe and discuss the history of social welfare and social work in the United States.
3. Identify the organizational settings where professional social work is practiced, the target            

       populations served, and the roles of social workers today.

1. Describe and analyze in some depth the problems of diverse and special populations in the United States .
2. Recognize the significance of human diversity and the differences among people and groups  created by biological, cultural and social factors. Discuss social work values of respect for individual, biological, and cultural differences.
3. Recognize the interrelationships among social work practice, societal change, social         problems, social programs, and social welfare policy utilizing the social systems perspective, taking diversity into consideration.
4. To identify differences between one’s own values and those of social work. Define appropriate ethical conduct in practice situations

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

1.    There will be three non-cumulative exams, including the final. Reading assignments are listed on the course outline. Attendance is critical to the accomplishment of the learning objectives.

2.    Standard grading is used: 90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; Below 60%= F.

3.    Volunteering:

a. Each student will volunteer at a social service agency. A list of possible sites will be provided in class.

b.  You are to volunteer for 20 hours.

c.  Notify the professor in writing, using the attached form, where and when you are volunteering, with the name and telephone number of the person who will be supervising you.

d. These 20 hours are to be completed no later than the due date on the course outline.

e.  You must request a signed statement from your supervisor that you have completed your 20 hours. This statement should be attached to your agency report and should be on agency stationary. This is to be stapled to your report.

f.  Credit for the reports will not be given until 20 hours of volunteer time are documented.

4.AGENCY REPORT ASSIGNMENT

The paper must be typed (double space). Please write each question and then follow the question with the answer.  Questions #13 & #14 should be very thorough and require some thought.Your paper will not be accepted without verification that you completed the 20 hour volunteer assignment. Incomplete grades will not be given for late assignments unless there is documented proof of a real emergency, therefore, get your hours completed and your paper finished by the due date.

Answer the following in at least two pages:

1. Name of agency and location.

2. Date agency established.

3. Original purpose for the agency. Has the mission changed?

4. Eligibility of its clients.

5. Sources of original funding. Are they the same today?

6. What is the goal of the agency?

7. What agencies does it work closely with?

8. Where do referrals come from?

9. How many clients were served last year?

10. What are the requirements for professional employment at the agency?

11. Who has the final word in decision making?

12. How does (or could) the agency use research?

13. Your impressions: What happened? What did you observe? Would you want to work in this type of setting?

14. What do you think it would be like to be a “real” client?

15. Are there social workers where you volunteered? If so, in what capacity? What are the qualifications of the people with whom you dealt?

Criteria for evaluation of agency reports:

Clarity, conciseness, and organization         25%       Completeness             25%

Support for conclusions                                25%       Writing mechanics      25%

5. Ethics Assignment: completed in class

 Students will be given a copy of the NASW code of ethics and a copy of the Code of Conduct which is   part of the social work licensing law in Texas.  Students will get in small groups and discuss the              similarities and differences in the two. The student must be present the day of the exercise to receive       credit. Attendance will be taken.

6.  Strengths Assessment and Treatment Plan:

     Students will form small groups in class and read a brief case summary.  They will list the strengths           and weaknesses of the clients in the summary.  They will write a treatment plan which will include            what each client will do and what the social worker will do and how ethics and social justice affected        the plan. They will evaluate how effective they think the treatment plan will be.  The student must be         present the day of the exercise to receive credit.

7.  Cooperation, Respect and Relationship Exercise:

Students will participate in two (2) exercises (tire tube and Alligator River story) followed by      processing the experience.  The exercises contrast social work skills and values including                      communication, cooperation and respect with judgment and the different results these create in             relationships.

8.  Identifying the client and ethical choices:

     Students read a case study and in small groups identify the client(s) and determine ethical choices for        practice.  They also determine a treatment plan for the case.

COURSE OUTLINE

Absence Policy

If an examination is missed due to an unexcused absence, the student will receive a score of 10% less for that exam. If the exam is missed due to an officially excused absence, a makeup will be arranged. An absence is considered officially excused if a student:

a.  presents a written excuse from a physician or Midwestern State University infirmary, or

     b.  presents written evidence of attending a mandatory university function (sports, band, etc.), or

c.  presents a written excuse from a physician for a dependent child’s illness, or

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

Students are expected to be present for a minimum of 75% of quest speakers over fields of practice.  Credit of 1% on an exam will be given each time a student is present for a speaker.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Professional Training                                                                           Students are expected to attend all classes, complete assigned readings 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 quiet. Rude or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. With the exception of an occasionaltardy arrival to class, students are expected to be in class and on time. Students shall not arrive late on days when there are invited speakers.

            As a developmental step in the process of professionalism, students are expected to abide by the N.A.S.W. code of ethics and behave in a respectful manner to fellow students and faculty. Student’s behaviors maybe discussed among social work faculty and the Chairr of the social work program. A