Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 511 – Social Work Practice II (Fall B 2024)
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.
Addendum for Fall 2024:
SSWO 511 is the second practice course for MSW students at UNE. This course is designed to be sequenced with SSWO 510 Practice I. In this course sequence students will gain an in-depth exploration of generalist social work practice with an emphasis on the integration of theory and practice skills. Students will delve into foundational and contemporary theories, ethical principles, and practice methodologies. This course sequence utilizes simulated client engagement experiences that support students’ learning and mimics real-world scenarios. In SSWO 511 students will cover key topics such as generalist practice with families, groups, and communities.
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate beginning social work practice skills within the context of the NASW Code of Ethics. [EPAS 1,2,3]
- Reflect on ways to incorporate social and economic justice issues and the core competencies for practice with diverse groups into their social work practice. [EPAS 1,2,3]
- Use specific evidence-based social work theories and techniques with application to assessing, intervening, goal setting, and termination skills that include cultural and diverse client(s) and group(s) presenting issues. [EPAS 7, 8]
- Reflect on the practice of ethical social work utilizing evidence-based theories within a culturally diverse population. [EPAS 6]
- Use social work skills in an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, diverse, and equitable manner. [EPAS 2]
Assignments
Debriefs
There will be eight debriefs in the course that will guide you in reflecting on the work you do in class and help apply to your social work practice. Also, think of the debriefs as you would a supervision session.
Simucase Videos
Simucase is a software offering a number of situational videos. You will view eighteen videos in a “test my knowledge” mode and upload your completed transcript. These videos will support the information we will be covering in the course.
Simulations and Notes
As well as the situational videos in Simucase you will also perform four simulations where you will be able to practice skills in your social work practice.
Teach-Back Activity
You will work within groups to review and learn about theories in relation to countertransference and teach each other about a theory of choice
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 |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement | 1 point |
| Week 1 Group Introduction | 2 points |
| Simucase Videos | 24 points (2 points x 12 discussions) |
| Debriefs | 24 points (3 points x 8 journals) |
| Task Trainer/Simulations | 28 points (4 points x 7 practice videos) |
| Social Work Contact Note | 4 points (2 points |
| Teach-Back Activity | 6 points |
| Collaborative Strengths-Based Treatment Plan | 3 points |
| Biopsychosocial Interview Form | 3 points |
| Pre-Group Development Treatment Proposal | 3 points |
| Group Therapy Note | 2 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Schedule
Course Dates:
Week 1: Oct 30 – Nov 5
Week 2: Nov 6 – Nov 12
Week 3: Nov 13 – Nov 19
Week 4: Nov 20 – Nov 26
Week 5: Nov 27 – Dec 3
Week 6: Dec 4 – Dec 10
Week 7: Dec 11 – Dec 17
Week 8: Dec 18 – Dec 22
All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the dates listed below, in the Eastern time zone. Unless otherwise specified, all assignments are due the last day of the course week.
Discussions: Initial posts are due by 11:59 PM ET on Saturday, except in Week 8 – the initial post is due by 11:59 PM ET on Friday; responses are due by the end of the course week in every week.
Week 1: Social Work Practice with Families: Engagement, Assessment, and Planning
Assignments and Discussions
- Group Introductions Discussion
- Simucase Video(s)
- Debrief (EPAS 1, 3, & 9)
Week 2: Social Work Practice with Families: Engagement, Assessment, and Planning (Continued)
Assignments
- Tianna Genogram – Simucase Part Task Trainer (EPAS 6 & 8)
- Contact Note (EPAS 1)
- Debrief (EPAS 1, 3, 4, & 9)
Week 3: Social Work Practice with Families: Intervention, Evaluation, and Termination
Assignments
- Simucase Video(s) (EPAS 6 & 8)
- Jessica Assessment – Simucase Simulation (EPAS 1, 6, 7, & 8)
- Collaborative Strengths-Based Treatment Plan (EPAS 7)
- Biopsychosocial Interview Form (EPAS 7)
- Debrief (EPAS 1, 3, 6, 7, & 9)
Week 4: Social Work Practice with Families: Intervention, Evaluation, and Termination (Continued)
Assignments
- Jessica Intervention – Simucase Simulation (EPAS 7 & 8)
- Contact Note (EPAS 1)
- Debrief (EPAS 1, 3, 6, & 9)
Week 5: Social Work Practice with Groups: Engagement, Assessment, and Planning
Assignments
- Simucase Video(s)
- Pregroup Development Simucase Simulation (EPAS 1, 4, 6, 7, & 8)
- Pregroup Development Treatment Proposal (EPAS 6 & 8)
- Debrief
Week 6: Social work Practice with Groups: Intervention, Evaluation, & Termination
Assignments
- Simucase Video(s)
- Simucase Simulation – Student’s Choice
- Group Therapy Note (EPAS 1)
- Teach Back Activity
- Debrief
Week 7: Social Work Practice with Communities: Engagement, Assessment, & Planning
Assignments
- Jane Assessment – Simucse Simulation (EPAS 6 & 7)
- Simucase Video(s)
- Debrief
- Teach Back Activity Presentation to Group
Week 8: Social Work Practice with Communities: Intervention, Termination, and Evaluation
Assignments
- Jane Intervention – Simucase Simulation (EPAS 6 & 8)
- Teach Back Activity Final Assessment
- Simucase Video(s)
- Debrief
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
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
8 week: 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.
16 week: 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 Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
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:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- 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.