Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 564 Program Development and Community Practice, (Spring B 2023)

Credits - 3

Description

This course builds upon the foundation year and introduces students to the changing context of community and inter-organizational linkages across human service systems. Major content focuses on community and organizational needs assessment, community building, understanding and working in multi-system service environments. Client empowerment, collaborative relationship building across various system levels, including coalition building, and across problem areas and settings are emphasized. Must be enrolled in: Master of Social Work.

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of SSWO 522 Field Integrating Seminar/Practicum II

Materials

Required Textbooks:

  • Brown, M. E., & Stalker, K. (2023). Social work skills for community practice: Applied macro practice social work (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing.
  • Community Tool Box (website)

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 Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Apply a social work macro practice perspective to the dynamic nature of community practice in collaboration with clients, systems, and community partners, demonstrating a connection with micro and mezzo social work practice. Program Outcomes 5 & 7; EPAS 6 & 7; Discussion Boards Week 1, 4, 5, & 6
  2. Apply ethical values to decision-making in relation to ADEI in the broader context of communities and organizations. Program Outcome 4; EPAS 1 & 3; Discussion Boards Week 2 & 3, Week 3 Reflection Paper
  3. Choose evidence-based interventions applicable to macro social work practice with communities and organizations. Program Outcomes 3 & 6; EPAS 6, 7, 8, & 9; Discussion Boards Week 4, 5, 6, & 8
  4. Demonstrate skills for effective program development, utilizing community assets and participatory approaches that create change and promote ADEI. Program Outcomes 1 & 2; EPAS 3, 6, 7, & 8; Discussion Boards Week 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7, Week 3 Reflection Paper, Week 8 Presentation
  5. Evaluate program goals, objectives, and interventions for continuous improvement, sustainability, and promotion of ADEI. Program Outcomes 6 & 7; EPAS 3 & 9; Discussion Boards Week 6 & 8, Week 8 Presentation
  6. Select appropriate policy advocacy practices for program development and implementation in social work community practice. Program Outcomes 5 & 7; EPAS 5; Discussion Board Week 7

Accreditation Standards Addressed: Council on Social Work Education Educational and Practice Standards (EPAS)

  • Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior (EPAS 1)
  • Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice (EPAS 3)
  • Engage in policy practice (EPAS 5)
  • Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (EPAS 6)
  • Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (EPAS 7)
  • Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (EPAS 8)
  • Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (EPAS 9)

Assignments

A variety of learning activities 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: Online courses require different types of materials to enhance student understanding and knowledge of the course content. This includes websites, films, video clips, case studies, podcasts, and reading assignments.
  • Discussions: The discussion forums require students to demonstrate a critical understanding and integration of the material covered. Please note the grade breakdown and the significance of discussion contributions.

Written Assignments:

Analyzing Personal Core Values and the Effects on ADEI in Community Social Work Practice: A Reflection Paper (EPAS 1 & 3)

For this paper, you will be reflecting on the work you completed on the Guiding Values and Ethics infographic to further reflect and assess how your core values affect ADEI practices in your work as a community practitioner.

This paper is three to four (3 – 4) pages (not including title or reference pages – please do not go over this limit). There should be at least four peer-reviewed, scientific, and/or academic writings to support your writing and thoughts. Please be sure to include main headings that utilize each of the four prompts provided in the instructions – include subheadings under main headings where appropriate. Please be sure you follow APA 7 style guidelines for the entire paper. You may use first-person narrative for your writing.

Video Presentation of Community Campaign 

On Friday of Week 8, you will submit the URL of your group’s video to the Whole Class Discussion Board that will provide a formal presentation of your community campaign. This presentation should be created with the audience of local community constituents you would be advocating to on behalf of the community campaign.

In addition to the group’s video presentation, please attach a one-page handout that covers the highlights of what you will present in the video. This handout should be in outline format with bulleted points under each main point of the outline. Please do not exceed one-page.

The group’s video presentation should include information from assignments completed by the group from Week 4 to Week 7 regarding the Casterview Community case study.

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

AssignmentsPoint ValuePercent of Final Grade
Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement1 point1%
Week 3 Reflection Paper10 points10%
Video Presentation- Community Campaign20 points20%
Whole Class Discussions20 points (4 forums X 5 points)20%
Introduction Discussion4 points4%
Group Discussions 40 points (4 X 10 points)40%
Group Discussion (Single)5 points5%
Total100 points100%

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

Course weeks run from 12:00 AM ET on Wednesday through 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday at 11:59 PM ET. Unless otherwise specified, all discussion comments and assignments are due the last day of the week. Initial responses to discussion prompts are due by the end of Saturday unless otherwise noted.

 

Course Dates:

Week 1: Mar 1 – Mar 7
Week 2: Mar 8 – Mar 14
Week 3: Mar 15 – Mar 21
Week 4: Mar 22 – Mar 28
Week 5: Mar 29 – Apr 4
Week 6: Apr 5 – Apr 11
Week 7: Apr 12 – Apr 18
Week 8: Apr 19 – Apr 23

Week 1: Introduction to Community Social Work

Discussions

  • Introduce Yourself 
  • Community as Client (EPAS 1 & 7)

Assignment Overview:

  • Review Future Course Assignments in syllabus and course

Week 2: Ensuring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Community Practice

Discussions

  • Whole Class Discussion: Building Diverse Relationships through Anti-racism, Equity and Inclusion [EPAS 1,3 & 8]
  • Group Discussion: Setting Rules and Guidelines for Group Work [EPAS 1 & 3]

Week 3: Guiding Values and Perspectives in Community Practice

Discussions

  • Whole Class Discussion: Guiding Values, Ethics and Perspectives in Community Practice [EPAS 1 & 3]

Assignment

  • Analyzing Personal Core Values and the Effects on ADEI in Community Social Work Practice: A Reflection Paper [EPAS 1 & 3]

Week 4: Pre-Engagement Phase in Community Practice

Discussions

  • Whole Class Discussion: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking [EPAS 3, 6, 7, & 8]
  • Group Discussion: Analyzing Community Problems [EPAS 6, 7, & 8]

Week 5: Community Action Planning: Building Community Campaign Frameworks to Address Community Problems

Discussion 

  • Group Discussion: Developing a Community Campaign Framework to Address Community Problems – Group Discussion Board [EPAS 3, 6, 7, 8 & 9]

Week 6: Community Action Planning: Implementing the Community Campaign

Discussion

  • Group Discussion: Planning Implementation of a Community Campaign [EPAS 8 & 9]

Week 7: Advocacy

Discussion

  • Group Discussion: Advocating for Change at the Local Level [EPAS 3, & 5]

Week 8: Reflecting on Community Campaigns for Change

Discussion

  • Whole class Discussion: Video Presentations of Group’s Campaign to Address the Community Need

 

Student Resources

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 Online Student 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:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. 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.