Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 511: Social Work Practice II (Fall B 2021)

Credits - 3

Description

This course 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.

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 Objectives

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

• Identify, describe and apply 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 Outcome #1 (Assessed in Week 4 Assignment).
• Demonstrate collaborative relationships using empowering, relational, and contemporary change theories for practice with client systems. Program Outcome #7 (Assessed in Week 4 Assignment).
• Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based on social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. Program Outcome #4 (Assessed in both Assignments – weeks 4 & 7).
• 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 (Assessed in Week 7 Assignment).

Assignments

Learning Activities

A variety of learning activities support the course objectives and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:

Readings and Multimedia:

This course will use an array of readings, podcasts, and videos to present important concepts each week. The readings and media sources provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads and written assignments. The course continues with the work encountered in Practice I (SSWO 510). In particular, the case study from 510 continues.

Discussions:

The discussion forums required in SSWO 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 courses, as well as demonstrate your critical thinking strategies, such as identifying assumptions, discussing multiple perspectives, raising and answering counterarguments, offering evidence, questioning evidence, drawing analogies, evaluating quality according to clear criteria, and exploring implications, causes, or consequences.

Students are expected to post an initial response to the weekly discussion questions by Saturday, adhering to the requirements outlined in the prompt and Discussion Rubric, and to return on at least two additional days of the class week to respond to a minimum of 2 classmates in meaningful and substantive ways. This equates to a minimum of 3 total posts spread over at least three different days. Students are welcome and encouraged to begin posting earlier than Saturday, but Saturday is the latest acceptable day for initial posts.

Discussion boards are also used to submit progress notes on your client as you get updates throughout the course. You will get feedback on these progress notes, as they will inform your first assignment.

Video Posts: Social work involves interaction with clients in various settings. There is an optional video post in Week 3. Video discussions facilitate engagement as well as provide practice with important social work skills such as attending behavior and active listening, so you are encouraged to participate.

Course Assignments

Your performance will be evaluated on your work in 2 written assignments (60% of overall grade) and on your discussion forum contributions (40% of overall grade).

Week 4 Assignment – Collaborative Assessment and Treatment Plan

• Part 1 – Assessment – Students will develop a Collaborative Assessment with Rhonda.
• Part 2 – Strengths-Based Treatment Plan – Students will create a Strengths-based Treatment Plan for Rhonda.

Week 7 Assignment – Social Work, Power, and Cultural Considerations:

Find and summarize a recent research paper that investigates and outlines best practices with respect to working directly with marginalized clients (such as racially marginalized individuals, the unemployed or under-employed, the homeless, under-serviced veterans, refugees, migrants, LGBTQ+, indigenous peoples, and more).

After summarizing the research paper, analyze the study for potential power dynamics, then relate to overall course themes. You are encouraged to find a topic of particular interest to you personally and professionally.

The analysis should be no more than 5 pages, including references and title page. References should be cited in APA format.

Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the Course.

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
Discussions, Progress Notes, and Letter to CPS	400 points	40%
Week 4 Assignment - Collaborative Assessment and Treatment Plan of Case Study	300 points	30%
Week 7 Assignment - Closing Documentation and Reflection 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