Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSW 675 Social Work Practice in the Rural Environment
Credits - 3
Description
This elective course is designed to provide students with an overview of micro, mezzo, and macro social work practice in rural environments. Students will be introduced to the unique characteristics of rural environments with attention to various populations, geographic factors, local resources and issues specific to diversity, health, and social exclusion, environmental justice and community development. Students will learn empowering practice skills needed to provide services in the rural environment and the critical importance of establishing collaborative partnerships with individuals and private, governmental, and not-for-profit organizations.
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:
- Determine the geographical, social and economic characteristics of rural areas and analyze their influence on the population to be served.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 health care professionals, and dispersed populations.
- 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.
- 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.
EPAS Standards
Competency #3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice)
3.1. Students will demonstrate the ability to develop, analyze, advocate, and provide leadership for policies and services in order to promote social and economic justice
3.2. Students will use advanced generalist skills to practice autonomously with systems of all sizes in rural settings
Competency #4: Engage in Practice- Informed Research and Research-informed Practice
4.1. Students will demonstrate the identify, analyze and apply social constructions of rurality within and across diverse groups (e.g. gender, ethnicity/race, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation) and across multiple system levels.
4.2. Students will apply an integration of awareness, sensitivity and professional response to issues of values, ethics, diversity, social justice and populations at risk.
Competency #5: Engage in Policy Practice
5.1. Students will demonstrate the ability to use cultural competence to promote social and economic justice to systems of all sizes within and outside of rural communities.
5.2. Students will provide leadership in specialized practices at multiple levels advancing social and economic justice in rural environments.
Competency #6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
6.1 Students will demonstrate the ability to identify, evaluate, and implement research and practice strategies with rural systems and social networks.
6.2 Students will demonstrate leadership skills to design, development and implement research and technological advances to enhance social work practice in a rural context.
Competency #8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
8.1. Students will demonstrate the ability to develop, prepare, implement and evaluate policies that improve the wellbeing of rural populations and communities.
8.2. Students will demonstrate leadership skills in advocacy and policy practice to deliver services to multiple systems in rural areas.
8.3. Students will develop and apply analytical frameworks to change situations for rural people and rural communities.
Competency #9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9.1. Students will disseminate knowledge to act as a change agent in improving service delivery for rural people and rural communities.
9.2. Students will demonstrate leadership in the application of advanced differential assessment, interventions, and evaluations to respond to the changing contexts of rural areas.
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 | 30 points x 8 weeksn240 points total | 24% |
| Literature Review Discussions | 20 points x 5 weeksn100 points total | 10% |
| Movie Assignment | 200 points | 20% |
| Community Needs Assignment | 360 points | 36% |
| Final Self-Reflection | 100 points | 10% |
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: 01/06/16 – 01/12/16
- Readings & Multimedia:
-
- Web sites, articles and texts
- Watch Cook County (may be rented)
- Discussion: one whole class discussion
- Assignment Introduced: Cook County Moive 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: 01/13/16 – 01/19/16
- Readings & Multimedia:
-
- Web sites, 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: 01/20/16 – 01/26/16
- Readings & Multimedia:
-
- Web sites, articles and text
- videos as assigned
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (Lit Review)
- Assignments: Continue working on Movie Analysis Paper (due in Mod 4)
MODULE 4
Down Home Policies in Rural America
Week 4 | Dates: 01/27/16 – 02/02/16
- Readings & Multimedia:
-
- Web sites, 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: 02/03/16 – 02/09/16
- Readings and Multimedia:
-
- Articles, web sites 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: 02/10/16 – 02/16/16
- Readings and Multimedia:
-
- Articles, web sites, 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: 02/17/16 – 02/23/16
- Readings and Multimedai:
-
- Text, articles, and web sites
- Videos as assigned
- Discussions: one whole class discussion and one group discussion (Lit Review)
- Assignments: Continue working on Final Reflection (due in Mod 8)
MODULE 8
Ethical and Professional Issues and Challenges in Rural Areas
Week 8 | Dates: 02/24/16 – 02/28/16
- Readings and Multimedia:
-
- Articles, text and web sites
- 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.