Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 675 Social Work Practice in the Rural Environment
Credits - 3
Description
This graduate-level elective course is designed to expose students to rural social work practice. Students will explore the multifaceted area of small social service agency work, the ethical and professional challenges of working in a rural environment as well as the rewards of working in close-knit communities.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
School of Social Work Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
- Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
- Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Determine the geographical, social and economic characteristics of rural areas and analyze their influence on the population to be served. (Program Outcomes 1, 4)
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Identify the diverse range of cultural and ethnic groups, research their historical and contemporary challenges and strengths, and provide culturally-specific, asset-based, and ethical social work practice. (Program Outcomes 1, 2)
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Identify and establish linkages with and between the informal helping networks and important primary institutions and their roles in rural service development and in addressing social problems. (Program Outcomes 2, 5)
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Analyze the effectiveness of social policies and programs in rural areas and formulate solutions to the challenges of delays, centralization of services, transportation networks, extensive poverty, shortage of healthcare professionals, and dispersed populations. (Program Outcomes 5, 6)
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Identify the sources of environmental discrimination that are affecting socially, economically and politically excluded clients in rural areas and mobilize communities to minimize environmental risks. (Program Outcome 5)
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Assess community strengths and assets, build relationships for collaboration and problem-solving within communities and mobilize a community’s assets for community and economic development and information-sharing purposes. (Program Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)
Assignments
All written assignments should conform to APA standards and conform to the page length. In addition, the paper should include a title page, abstract, and references that are not considered as part of the overall length. Materials obtained from the Internet should be referenced and limited to recognized scholarly, academic, or client/consumer-oriented sources (such as journals, information from advocacy-oriented organizations, etc.). Gender-neutral language should be used throughout.
Grading Policy
The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment Category | Points | Percentage Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Class Participation | 240 points total (30 points x 8 weeks) | 24% |
| Literature Review Discussions | 100 points total (20 points x 5 weeks) | 10% |
| Movie Assignment | 200 points | 20% |
| Community Needs Assignment | 360 points | 36% |
| Final Self-Reflection | 100 points | 10% |
| Total: | 1,000 | 100% |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
MODULE 1
Introduction to Rural Social Work Practice
Week 1 | Dates: June 26, 2019 – July 2, 2019
- Readings & Multimedia:
- Websites, articles, and texts
- Watch Cook County (may be rented)
- Discussion: one whole class discussion
- Assignments Introduced: Cook County Movie Analysis (Due Mod 4), Community Needs Assessment (Due Mod 6) and Final Self-Reflection (Due Mod 8)
MODULE 2
“Down Home” Demographics, People, Places
Week 2 | Dates: July 3, 2019 – July 9, 2019
- Readings & Multimedia:
- Websites, articles, and text
- Videos as assigned
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (News)
- Assignment: Continue working on your Movie Analysis Paper (due in Mod 4)
MODULE 3
Down Home Rural Social Capital, Cooperation and Helping Networks
Week 3 | Dates: July 10, 2019 – July 16, 2019
- Readings & Multimedia:
- Websites, articles, and text
- Videos as assigned
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (Lit Review)
- Assignment: Continue working on Movie Analysis Paper (due in Mod 4)
MODULE 4
Down Home Policies in Rural America
Week 4 | Dates: July 17, 2019 – July 23, 2019
- Readings & Multimedia:
- Websites, articles, and text
- Videos as assigned
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (News)
- Assignment Submission: Movie Analysis Paper
- Assignment: Continue working on Community Needs Assessment (Due in Mod 6)
MODULE 5
Client Populations and Fields of Practice in Rural Areas
Week 5 | Dates: July 24, 2019 – July 30, 2019
- Readings and Multimedia: Articles, websites, and videos as assigned
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (Lit Review)
- Assignment: Continue working on Community Needs Assessment (due in Mod 6)
MODULE 6
Rural Environmental Challenges & Environmental Justice
Week 6 | Dates: July 31, 2019 – August 6, 2019
- Readings and Multimedia:
- Articles, websites, and text
- Videos as assigned
- Interactive web tools
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (Lit Review)
- Assignment Submission: Community Needs Assessment
- Assignment: Continue working on Final Reflection (due in Mod 8)
MODULE 7
Rural Development/Green Development
Week 7 | Dates: August 7, 2019 – August 13, 2019
- Readings and Multimedia:
- Text, articles, and websites
- Videos as assigned
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (Lit Review)
- Assignment: Continue working on Final Reflection (due in Mod 8)
MODULE 8
Ethical and Professional Issues and Challenges in Rural Areas
Week 8 | Dates: August 14, 2019 – August 18, 2019
- Readings and Multimedia: Articles, text, and websites
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (Lit Review) – NOTE EARLIER DUE DATES!
- Assignment Submission: Final Reflection (Due by end of Saturday)
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Social Work page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Social Work Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/social-work/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Essential Academic and Technical Standards
Please review the essential academic and technical standards of the University of New England School Social Work (SSW): https://online.une.edu/social-work/academic-and-technical-standards-une-online-ssw/
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Confidentiality Statement
Student and faculty participation in this course will be governed by standards in the NASW Code of Ethics relating to confidentiality in sharing information from their placement sites and practice experiences. Students should be aware that personal information they choose to share in class, class assignments or conversations with faculty does not have the status of privileged information.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.