This elective course is designed to provide students with an overview of micro, mezzo, and macro social work practice in rural environments. Students will be introduced to the unique characteristics of rural environments with attention to various populations, geographic factors, local resources and issues specific to diversity, health, and social exclusion, environmental justice and community development. Students will learn empowering practice skills needed to provide services in the rural environment and the critical importance of establishing collaborative partnerships with individuals and private, governmental, and not-for-profit organizations.
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Determine the geographical, social and economic characteristics of rural areas and analyze their influence on the population to be served. (Program Objective 1, 4)
Identify the diverse range of cultural and ethnic groups, research their historical and contemporary challenges and strengths, and provide culturally-specific, asset-based, and ethical social work practice. (Program Objective 1, 2)
Identify and establish linkages with and between the informal helping networks and important primary institutions and their roles in rural service development and in addressing social problems. (Program Objective 2, 5)
Analyze the effectiveness of social policies and programs in rural areas and formulate solutions to the challenges of delays, centralization of services, transportation networks, extensive poverty, shortage of health care professionals, and dispersed populations. (Program Objective 5, 6)
Identify the sources of environmental discrimination that are affecting socially, economically and politically excluded clients in rural areas and mobilize communities to minimize environmental risks. (Program Objective 5)
Assess community strengths and assets, build relationships for collaboration and problem-solving within communities and mobilize a community’s assets for community and economic development and information-sharing purposes. (Program Objective 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)
All written assignments should conform to APA standards and conform to the page length. In addition, the paper should include a title page, abstract and references that are not considered as part of the overall length. Materials obtained from the Internet should be referenced and limited to recognized scholarly, academic, or client/consumer-oriented sources (such as journals, information from advocacy-oriented organizations, etc.). Gender-neutral language should be used throughout.
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:
Assignment Category | Points | Percentage Grade |
---|---|---|
Class Participation | 240 points total (30 points x 8 weeks) | 24% |
Literature Review Discussions | 100 points total (20 points x 5 weeks) | 10% |
Movie Assignment | 200 points | 20% |
Community Needs Assignment | 360 points | 36% |
Final Self-Reflection | 100 points | 10% |
Total:n | 1,000 | 100% |
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 |
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
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
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.
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/
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
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.