Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSW 511 – Social Work Practice II – Summer 2016
Credits - 3
Description
Social Work Practice (SSW 510 & SSW 511) is a two-semester foundation course. Social Work Practice II (SSW 511) builds on students’ understanding of generalist social work practice, beginning with the planned change process within larger systems and moving into integrative multilevel practice. The theoretical framework of this course is based on empowering and organizational change theories for practice, informed by the core social work values of self-determination, diversity, human dignity and social justice. Students are encouraged to critically examine knowledge and to develop skills for culturally attuned practice. Students are exposed to tenets of evidence-guided practice utilized within larger systems. Students learn and apply skills for change with and within organizations and communities including assessment and planned change strategies. Practice skill development on all systems levels values people’s strengths, supports and enhances individual and collective self-determination and influences social systems to promote human rights to health, equitable distribution of resources and social justice.
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.
Learner Characteristics
Students taking this class will have completed the SSW 501, SSW 502, and SSW 510 in the traditional track.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify, describe and apply organizational change strategies and skills and their influence on economic, political, and social forces. In addition, they will also impact personal, professional, and cultural values in the practice of social work. Program Outcomes #1 and 2 (As measured by Organizational Change Project, Developing an Informational Website Assignment, Discussion and Discussion Facilitation).
- Demonstrate collaborative relationships using empowering, relational, and organizational change theories for practice with client systems, colleagues, community partners, and organizations. Program Outcomes #3, 5, and 7 (As measured by Organizational Change Project, Developing an Informational Website Assignment, Discussion and Discussion Facilitation.
- Describe their conception of critical thinking and practice knowledge in relation to a range of group approaches including therapy groups, mutual aid groups, activity groups, social action groups, interdisciplinary health teams and administrative groups. Program Outcomes #4 and 6 (As measured by Organizational Change Project, Developing an Informational Website Assignment, Discussion and Discussion Facilitation).
- Denote research findings and outcome evaluations to select and critically evaluate practice interventions and service delivery with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. Program Outcome #6 (As measured by Discussion, Organizational Change Project, and Developing Informational Website Assignment).
Assignments
Learning Activities
A variety of learning activities support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:
Readings and Multimedia: This course provides you with several different types of materials to enhance your understanding and knowledge of social work macro practice. There are lectures, websites, films, a case study, podcasts of interviews with macro practitioners, reading assignments, and of course, discussion forums. The course continues with the group work encountered in Practice I (SSW 510), but in this course, groups will be formed on specific macro-type projects that address organizational and community development issues.
Discussions: The discussion forums required in SSW 511 spring from the content you will cover on communities and organizations from week to week. These forum posts should demonstrate the assimilation of the material covered during that particular week and from previous weeks or previous course. There are also specific recurring forums that occur weekly and solely for the discussion by your group regarding the two project assignments.
Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments: Macro social work practice involves group work for which this course does prepare you by requiring that key assignments be a collective effort. You and your group members will be examining both an organization and a community to diagnose and prescribe opportunities for change. You will also be involved with a course-long project that results in an informational website that could be used for work with specific populations.
Grading and Feedback Method: The major assignments of this course involve close collaboration by members of small groups. The instructor will be monitoring the contributions of every student in these assignments to determine if there is equal participation. The final grade for each student will reflect the level of individual effort as well as the quality of the finished products. The course facilitator will return assignments and other grading items (discussion boards, participation, etc.) to students within three days of the assignment due date. The course facilitator will provide weekly feedback about participation and performance no later than four days after the learning module closes. Feedback can be via email, within the assignment itself, or using the Feedback section in the Grade Center.
Due Dates: 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 the Final Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | 200 points (25 points x 8 weeks) | 20% |
| Organizational Change Project | 400 points | 40% |
| Developing Informational Website Assignment | 400 points | 40% |
| Total | 1,000 points | 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
Course Dates: 06/29/16 – 08/21/16
All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59PM EST on the dates listed below. Unless otherwise specified, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit week.
MODULE 1
Introduction to Organization and Community Practice in Social Work
Week 1 | Dates: 06/29/16 – 07/05/16
- Readings:
- International Federation of Social Workers Definition of Social Work
- WHO Definition of Health
- Textbook: Seabury, B., Seabury, B. & Garvin, C. (2011). Foundations of interpersonal practice in social work promoting competence in generalist practice. Chapter 16, pp. 475–499.
- Steen, J. A. (2006). The roots of human rights advocacy and a call to action. Social Work, 51(2), 101-106.
- Bartle, E., Couchonnal, G., Canada, E., and Staker, M. (2002). Empowerment as a dynamically developing concept for practice. Lessons learned from organizational ethnography. Social Work, 47(1), 32-43.
- Multimedia:
- Dorothy Day Documentary: Don’t Call Me a Saint
- Social Action on the Welsh House Farm Estate
- Extreme 16 Days of Activism Campaign
- Aruna Roy, The Activist and Social Worker of India Speaks on Rights Information
- Donald Witte & Aden Batar on Refugee Resettlement Issues
- Discussions:
- Developing an Informational Website – Task Group Assigned
- Developing an Informational Website – Task Group Introduction
- Assignments: Introduction of Organizational Change Project and Developing Informational Website Assignment
MODULE 2
Understanding Organizations, Theories of Organization and Theories of Organizational Change
Week 2 | Dates: Dates: 07/06/16 – 07/12/16
- Readings:
- Arches, J. (1997). Burnout and social action. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 8(2), 51-62.
- Cohen, M., & Hyde, C. (2014). Empowering workers and clients for organizational change. Chicago: Lyceum. Chapters 1 & 2 and pages 183-184, Chapters 12 & 14.
- Hardina, D. (2004). Guidelines for ethical practice in a community organization. Social Work, 49(4), 595-604.(Optional)
- Multimedia:
- Barry Schwartz on Our Loss of Wisdom
- Social Service Agency Personnel Interview
- Review Web Resources
- Discussions:
- Organizational Change Assignment – Organizational Analysis Discussion
- Informational Website Assignment – Researching the Issue and Interventions
- Assignments:
- Start working on Organizational Change Project and Informational Website
Week 3 | Dates: 07/13/16 – 07/19/16
- Readings:
- Alvelo, J., & Rosario, D. (2008). Journey of change and back: A case study of reconstituted social work service. Social Work in Health Care, 47(1), 30.
- Cohen, M., & Hyde, C. (2014). Empowering workers and clients for organizational change. Chicago: Lyceum. Chapters 3 & 11.
- Multimedia:
- Overcoming Resistance to Change – Isn’t it Obvious?
- Discussions:
- Organizational Change Project – Need for Change Discussion (Post your answers to Assessing an Organization by Wednesday)
- Informational Website – Developing the Outline
- Assignments
- Continue working on Organizational Change Project and Informational Website
Week 4 | Dates: 07/20/16 – 07/26/16
- Readings:
- Cohen, M., & Hyde, C. (2014). Empowering workers and clients for organizational change. Chapters 4 & 5.
- (Optional) Levesque, D., Prochaska, J., Prochaska, J., & Dewart, S. (2001). Organizational stages and process of change for continuous quality improvement in health care. Consulting Psychology Journal, 53(3), 139-153.
- Multimedia:
- Strategies for Change & Linking Theory to Practice – Hope and Justice Project
- Web Resources
- Discussions:
- Organizational Change Assignment – Force Field Analysis
- Constructing the Curriculum
- Assignments:
- Continue working on Organizational Change Project and Informational Website
MODULE 3 Understanding Community
Week 5 | Dates: 07/27/16 – 08/02/16
- Readings:
- Cohen, M., & Hyde, C. (2014). Empowering workers and clients for organizational change. Chapter 10.
- Mizrahi, T. & Lombe, M. (2006). Perspectives from women organizers: Views on gender, race, class, and sexual orientation. Journal of Community Practice, 14(3), 93-118.
- Textbook: Seabury, B., Seabury, B., Garvin, C. (2011). Chapters 16 & 17, pp. 499-540.
- (Optional) Cohen, M., & Hyde, C. (2014). Empowering workers and clients for organizational change. Chapter 8.
- Multimedia:
- The Mondragon Cooperatives as a Model of Collaborative Business for the 21st Century
- The Mondragon Experiment Part 1
- Discussions:
- Community – Group Discussion
- Mondragon Model Discussion; Informational Website – continue moving forward with the assignment.
- Organizational Change Project – Final Discussions
- Assignments:
- Organizational Change Project Assignment Submission
- Continue working on Informational Website
MODULE 4
Understanding Community Practice and Influencing Community
Week 6 | Dates: 08/03/16 – 08/09/16
- Readings:
- Required:
- Cohen, M., & Hyde, C. (2014). Empowering workers and clients for organizational change. Chapters 5 & 7.
- Brenton, M. (2012). Small Steps Towards Social Justice. Social Work with Groups, 35(3), 206-216.
- Grodofsky, M., & Soffer, G. (2011). The group as a community change agent. Social Work with Groups, 34(2), 190-202.
- Staples, L. (2012). Community Organizing for Social Justice: Grassroots Groups for Power. Social Work with Groups, 35(3), 287-296.
- Optional:
- Pransky, J., & McMillen, D. Exploring the True Nature of Internal Resilience, pp. 235-254 in Saleebey, D. (2013). The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice, 6th Edition, NJ: Allyn and Bacon.
- Bricker-Jenkins, M., Barbera, R., & Young C. Poverty Through The Lens of Economic Human Rights, pp. 255-277 in Saleebey, D. (2013). The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice (6th ed.). NJ: Allyn and Bacon.
- Ungar, M., Manuel, S., Mealey, S., Thomas, G., Campbell, C. (2004). A study of community guides: Lessons for professionals practicing with and in communities. Social Work, 49(4), 550-562.
- Lepofsky, J., & Fraser, J. (2003). Building community citizens: Claiming the right to place making in the city. Urban Studies, 40, 127-142.
- Mulroy, E., & Lauber, H. (2002). Community building in hard times: A post-welfare view from the streets. Journal of Community Practice, 10(1), 1–16.
- Required:
- Multimedia:
- Neighbor by Neighbor
- Web Resources
- Discussions:
- Community – Social Work Trends Group Discussion
- Informational Website – Reviewing and Revising
- Assignments:
- Continue working on Informational Website
Week 7 | Dates: 08/10/16 – 08/16/16
- Readings:
- Textbook: Fadiman, A. (1997). The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Chapters 1-9, pp. 4-118;
- Web Resources on Community Organizing; Extended Learning
- Discussions:
- Community – Development Model Group Discussion
- Informational Website – Final Tasks
- Informational Website – Unveiling the Final Product to Your Peers (by Wednesday)
- Assignments:
- Informational Website – share with class, view others’ projects, offer feedback, incorporate others’ feedback for final submission next week
Module 5
Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations Facing Social Inequalities and Cultural Oppression
Week 8 | Dates: 08/17/16 – 08/21/16
- Readings:
- Textbook: Fadiman, A. (1997). The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Chapters 10-19, pp. 119-288.
- Discussions:
- Hmong Beliefs, Traditions, and Solutions
- Assignments:
- Informational Website Final Submission (URL and self-evaluation narrative)
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
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.