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Syllabus

DSW 806 – Transformative Leadership for Justice and Equality (Summer AB 2026)

Credits - 3

Description

This course examines anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles in the context of interprofessional leadership, emphasizing strategies for fostering inclusive environments and addressing systemic inequalities. Students will develop skills to promote equity and cultural competence within social work and interprofessional teams and organizations.

Students will engage with theoretical models, historical contexts, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for advancing inclusive practices in complex social and organizational environments. Through interactive lectures, case studies, group projects, and reflective practice, participants will develop the skills necessary to lead transformative initiatives in diverse professional settings.

Materials

All course materials will be provided in the course and linked in Brightspace. 

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Scholar-Practitioners will be able to:

  1. Articulate foundational paradigms of cultural competency, anti-racism, DEI, and interprofessional education in social work, explicitly acknowledging the underlying assumptions that shape current practice.
  2. Synthesize advanced theories—cultural humility, intersectionality, and critical race theory—into coherent analytical lenses for interrogating DEI challenges.
  3. Apply introductory discourse-analysis techniques to real-world texts to expose dominant narratives, reveal systemic inequities, and connect findings to antiracist practice.
  4. Analyze ethical considerations, power dynamics, and leadership challenges to evaluate and strengthen DEI arguments in professional writing.
  5. Design preliminary, evidence-based frameworks that translate critical analyses into actionable DEI interventions across social-work and interprofessional contexts.
  6. Refine strategic DEI initiative drafts through iterative peer and instructor feedback, ensuring coherence, feasibility, and alignment with theory and ethics.
  7. Defend a comprehensive, research-informed DEI leadership initiative that proposes transformative, multi-level change and demonstrates mastery of course learning.

Assignments

Acknowledgment of Academic Engagement

An affirmation of understanding of the course structure and expectations. This must be completed to access course materials and activities. 

Key Assessment 1 – Critical Leadership Analysis & Reflection Paper

A multi-part project (Weeks 3 – 6) that builds from a brief analysis to a fully integrated paper.

Milestones & Timing:

  • Week 3 Discussion: Applying Discourse Analysis to DEI Language — analyze a DEI-related policy or public statement
  • Week 3: Foundational Exploration of DEI, Cultural Competency, and Interprofessional Social Work –critically engage with key theories in cultural competency, DEI, and interprofessional education in social work and explore how they shape leadership in diverse settings.
  • Week 4: Discourse Analysis of DEI Leadership Texts – apply discourse analysis to real-world leadership texts, identifying how language shapes DEI narratives in social work.
  • Week 5: Case Study Application – propose justice-informed actions for an interprofessional social-work scenario.
  • Week 6: Critical Leadership Analysis & Reflection — Final Paper (12–15 pp.) – weave Parts 1-3 into one cohesive argument.

Key Assessment 2 – Strategic DEI Initiative Project

A design-to-action journey (Weeks 7 – 10) that turns course frameworks into a concrete equity initiative.

Milestones & Timing:

  • Week 7: Initiative Draft & Peer Feedback – post a purpose/scope outline; revise after structured peer review.

  • Week 8: Written Proposal of Strategic DEI Initiative Project (8–10 pp.) – include context & need, applied DEI frameworks, implementation/stakeholder plan, evaluation & sustainability, and a short leadership reflection.

  • Week 9: Presentation & Project Defense – record a 10–15 min presentation with visuals and field Q&A from peers and faculty.

  • Week 10: Public-Facing Artifact & Reflection – create an outward-facing product (infographic, blog post, LinkedIn article, etc.) plus a brief video reflection on leadership growth.

Reflective Journals

Students reflect on their learning journey at strategic points during the course.

Collaborative Activities

This course uses multiple formats to build community and deepen engagement with the material:

  • Perusall Annotation Discussions: Close-reading activities in Perusall, where you will annotate assigned texts and respond to peers within the platform.

  • Standard Written Discussions: Traditional discussion boards with prompts focused on course content or ethical issues.

  • Miro Board Collaborations: Visual brainstorming spaces where you and your peers will map concepts, create leadership “journey maps,” and prototype elements of your DEI initiative. Expect to post snapshots of your boards, leave sticky-note feedback, and iterate week-to-week.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment NamePoints
Acknowledgment of Academic Engagement 1
Week 1 Discussion: Introductions 3
Week 1 Miro Board Activity3
Week 2 Discussion3
Week 2 Perusall Annotation3
Week 3 Discussion: Applying Discourse Analysis to DEI Language3
Key Assessment 1 Part 17
Week 4 Perusall Annotation3
Key Assessment 1 Part 27
Week 5 Miro Case Study (Small Group Discussion)5
Key Assessment 1 Part 37
Week 6 Perusall Annotation3
Week 6: Strategic Brainstorming Forum3
Week 6 Key Assessment 1: Final Submission11
Week 7 Reflective Journal: Strategic Integration of DEI3
Key Assessment 2: Part 1 (Discussion)7
Key Assessment 2 Part 27
Key Assessment 2 Part 311
Week 10 Artifact and Reflection7
Week 10 Reflective Journal3
Total100

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 Dates: May 13, 2026 – August 28, 2026

Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Week 8: Monday – Sunday
Week 9: Monday – Sunday
Week 10: Monday – Sunday
Week 11: Monday – Sunday
Week 12: Monday – Sunday
Week 13: Monday – Sunday
Week 14: Monday – Sunday
Week 15: Monday – Sunday
Week 16: Monday – Friday

Week 1: Foundations & Critical Paradigms

  • Acknowledgment of Academic Engagement

  • Discussion: Introductory Video

  • Miro Board: Week 1

Week 2: Integrating Critical Frameworks to Transform DEI Decision-Making in Social Work Leadership

  • Discussion: Week 2

  • Perusall Annotation: Week 2

Week 3: Advanced Discourse Analysis & Systemic Inequities

  • Discussion: Week 3

  • Key Assessment 1 (Part 1) – Foundational Exploration of DEI, Cultural Competency, and Interprofessional Social Work

Week 4: Navigating Leadership Challenges – Refining Arguments & Responding to a Shifting DEI Landscape

  • Perusall Annotation: Week 4

  • Key Assessment 1 (Part 2) – Discourse Analysis of DEI Leadership Texts

Week 5: Translating Analysis into Action — From Theory to Initiative

  • Miro Case Study (Small Group Discussion)

  • Key Assessment 1 (Part 3) – Case Study Analysis of DEI Leadership in Interprofessional Social Work

Week 6: Developing Strategic DEI Initiatives

  • Perusall Annotation: Week 6

  • Discussion: Strategic Brainstorming Forum

  • Key Assessment 1 (Final Submission) – Critical Leadership Analysis and Reflection Paper

Week 7: DEI Strategy & Intersectionality in Leadership Practice

  • Reflective Journal: Strategic Integration of DEI

  • Key Assessment 2 – Part 1 (Initiative Draft shared in Discussion)

Week 8: Continued Refinement

  • Presentation Outline (Discussion)

  • Key Assessment 2 (Part 2): Strategic DEI Initiative Project (Written Proposal)

Week 9: Final Presentations & Project Defense

  • Key Assessment 2 (Part 3): Original DEI Initiative Project Presentation (shared in Discussion Forum)

Week 10: Reflection & Application

  • Public-Facing Artifact – From Coursework to Fieldwork: Sustaining Your DEI Leadership

  • Week 10 Reflective Journal

Weeks 11-16: Additional Optional Content

In addition to working independently on your DSW Project Research and reflecting on your journey so far, additional resources and learning activities are provided in Weeks 11-16. You are not required to submit these activities; they are here for your personal and professional development.

Week 11: Self-Care

Week 12: Contemporary Ethical Issues in Social Work

Week 13: The Future of Social Work

Week 14: Your Professional Career as a Scholar/Practitioner

Week 15: Career Ready

Week 16: DSW Project Support

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:

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

6- to 8-week courses: 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.

10+ -week courses: 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 Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

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.