Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSW 613 – Advanced Trauma-Based Practice – Fall 2016

Credits - 3

Description

This course explores trauma theory as a basis for practice which validates the experience, respects the individual, and promotes growth and healing. An examination of personal beliefs and definitions of trauma will serve as a first step toward the study of advanced trauma based practice. Using Trauma-Informed Principles as a foundation, students will learn practice methods and approaches that may be helpful in working with individuals, families, and communities as well as understanding how trauma impacts our own professional practice. Case presentations will allow students the opportunity to discuss alternative practice approaches, apply trauma-informed principles, and support & critique peers.

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. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

Course Outcomes

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

1. Define the term “trauma” as they apply it to their practice .PROGRAM OUTCOME #3 (As measured by discussion, journal and case presentation)
2. Demonstrate understanding of trauma theory and the impact of primary and secondary trauma on people’s lives. PROGRAM OUTCOME #3 (As measured by discussion, journal and case presentation)
3. Demonstrate awareness of their own, and societal primary and secondary reactions to traumatic events. PROGRAM OUTCOME #3 (As measured by discussion, journal and case presentation).
4. Conduct case presentations with a group of peers applying trauma based practice theory and skills. PROGRAM OUTCOME #3 (As measured by case presentation).
5. Critically assess peer case presentations and practice. PROGRAM #3 (as measured by discussion questions and case presentations).
6. Practice trauma-based skills in their work with clients. PROGRAM OUTCOME#3 (As measured by discussion questions, final paper and case presentations).

Assignments

Discussions

Description: An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each module. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. 

There is one whole class discussion in each module in which the concepts explored within that module are discussed as a class. Additionally, there are recurring group discussions in which students are lead through incremental completion of the Case Presentation and Trauma Papers with the opportunity to receive and provide feedback on those projects as they are developed.

Journal

In this course, you will be required to post each week in a private journal (visible to only you and your instructor) on specific reflection questions relating to the week’s topics. 

Assignments

There are two major assignments in this course.

Case Presentation (due Module 4)

This assignment has two parts.

For the first part, you will make a History and Mental Status presentation in which you distill key data about the client (de-identified) for discussion with your peers (up to 4 pages). Not all of this data may be available to you, nor might all of it be applicable (re: military history), but you should strive to provide as much as you have that may be applicable.

For the second part, you will write in no more than 500 words how you see this case to be connected to the topic you plan to write about for your Trauma Paper.

For additional instructions, as well as grading criteria, see the description for the assignment in Module 1.

Trauma Paper (due Module 7)

Select a topic in trauma-based practice and write a paper that examines that topic in the field. Past topics have been:

• Child abuse
• Trafficking
• Increased PTSD frequency among military
• Exposure therapy
• The relationship between eating disorders and a history of trauma

The 12+ page (no maximum limit) paper you write about the topic will use research and an actual case to examine several aspects of the topic, including current relevant research and theory, how the topic and its associated research and theory applies to the particular case, the topic’s wider clinical applications, and finally why the topic is relevant to the field of social work as well as your own recommendations.

For additional instructions, as well as grading criteria, see the assignment description in Module 1.

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 Value
Weekly Participation	37.5 points x 8 weeks (300 points)	30%
Practitioner Lens Journal Entries	25 points x 8 weeks (200 points)	20%
Case Presentation	200 points	20%
Trauma Paper	300 points	30%
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