Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 633: Social Work Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Families (Spring 2021)

Credits - 3

Description

This concentration year elective focuses on the challenges and capacities of children, adolescents, parents and caregivers that come to our attention in clinical social work practice across diverse settings. Students explore and critically analyze a range of theories used to explain child and adolescent development and caregiving structures. Particular attention is given to theories of attachment, caregiving, relationship and neurobiology. Focus is also placed on the social and institutional policies and dominant cultural attitudes that determine the distribution and access to social resources that affect child and family well-being. Interdisciplinary models of practice, including the development of networks and partnerships between social workers and other child-centered professionals are covered. Methods of building relationships with children, adolescents and caregivers are explored as are specific child-centered techniques including art and play therapy.

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:

1. Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
3. Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
5. Engage in policy practice.
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1.  Demonstrate knowledge of early childhood social science research, early brain development, and adverse childhood experiences and their influence on children’s health including their social, emotional, relational and cognitive development; (Program Outcomes: 6)

2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of social policies and how they influence the choice of practice models and interventions in practice with diverse adolescents, children and their families; (Program Outcomes: 1, 3)

3. Articulate and apply a range of theories for practice with children, adolescents, and families that are relational and empowering, and recognize interdependent and systemic aspects of child/family-centered interventions; (Program Outcomes: 1, 3)

4. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze theories and approaches used for child-centered assessments and interventions; (Program Outcomes: 4, 6)

5. Demonstrate knowledge and skills for building partnerships with families that are collaborative, empowering, and sustaining; (Program Outcomes: 3, 5)

6. Articulate and apply reflexive and decision-making knowledge and skills to examine ethical dilemmas that arise when working with the conflicting needs of children and adults within families, and also the conflicting goals and priorities of families and social institutions; (Program Outcomes: 4, 7)

7. Demonstrate leadership and apply knowledge and skills for building community partnerships when working with children, adolescents, and families across multi-level systems; (Program Outcomes: 5)

8. Utilize Reflexivity including examination of belief systems, life experiences, and assumptions that influence all aspects of practice with children, adolescents, and families. (Program Outcomes: 1, 7)

Assignments

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each week include the following:

Readings and Multimedia:

Description: Readings, case studies, films, websites, podcasts, and other multimedia learning activities will be used to illustrate theory, practice approaches, early childhood science and practice research findings, and social and institutional policies that impact child and family social work practice. Course readings reflect a range of theories and practice approaches for your consideration and critique. They were selected to prompt critical thinking and personal reflection as well to provide insight into evolving knowledge. Students are encouraged to explore the literature and share their new knowledge with each other.

Discussions:

An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each week. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner; citing from generally recognized academic reference sources to support main points and perspectives shared. Please refer to Course Policies for specific details on discussion participation expectations. 

Assignments and Grading: 

Assignment requirements and grading rubrics are provided in the Learning Modules. Please refer to the Learning Modules for more information. 

Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the Course Schedule. 

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	Point Value	Percentage of Grade
Weekly Discussions	29.25 points (9 discussions, 3.25 points each)	29.25%
Journals	10 points (8 journals, 1.25 each)	10%
Abstract Assignment	1.25 points	1.25%
Agency Assessment Assignment	12 points	12%
Reflection Assignment	4 points	4%
Play Therapy Assignment	16 points	16%
Outline Assignment	2.5 points	2.5%
Children's Project Assignment	25 points	25%

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