Contemporary Theories of Social Work Practice: Individuals & Families (SSWO 552) builds upon the Foundation Year practice content (SSWO 510 & SSWO 511) to further prepare students for direct practice with individuals, families, and groups. Students critically examine social work theory and methods for direct practice with attention to how clinical social work values inform theory to promote social justice, human dignity, capacity building, and individual empowerment. Life course and development theories are critically examined within the contexts of socio-economics, multiculturalism, and human diversity. Methods of practice to be explored include therapeutic, supportive, educational, advocacy, and community-based strategies, and the dynamic relationship that occurs across and between these interventions. Teaching methods including simulated interactive role-play exercises encourage students to develop intellectual curiosity, self-awareness, and skillful use of personal values, theoretical orientations, and practice approaches in working with a range of client systems in varied social work settings.
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
Through the completion of their assignments, students will demonstrate their ability to:
Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. EPAS 2a (Measured in Personal Practice Philosophy Statement)
Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies. EPAS 6b (Measured in Class Discussions)
Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies. EPAS 8a (Measured in Clinical Practice Case Essays)
Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies. EPAS 8b (Measured in Clinical Practice Case Essays)
A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:
Description: This course will use an array of readings and multimedia to present the important concepts in the various modules. The readings and media resources provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads, the portfolio assignment, and written assignments.
Description: An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each module. The discussion threads provide one method for students to integrate readings and multimedia into the course discussion and demonstrate their knowledge about the discussion thread topic. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. Please refer to Course Policies about participation for a full discussion of expectations.
Description: The Clinical Practice Essay assignments provide students with the opportunity to practice theories with a client of their choosing. They will
You will have two assignments that you will return to and work on for each module of this course. The first, your Personal Practice Philosophy Statement, will be continually revised throughout the course. You will turn in a revision to be graded each module until Module 7 Week 8, at which time you will submit a final draft of the statement that incorporates all you’ve learned in the course.
Students are expected to integrate the learning materials of the course modules into these writing assignments as a method of demonstrating achievement of module objectives.
Description: The PPPS activities and assignments are scaffolded to allow students to apply theory and self-reflection in the development of a personal philosophy of practice.
Grading and feedback methods are listed with each assignment. Please refer to the “Assignment Details and Rubrics” and individual Learning Modules of the course for more information. 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.
Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the “Course Schedule” and under My Grades in the Blackboard course.
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:
Assignments | Points | Percent of Grade |
---|---|---|
Discussions | 360 (45 points X 8 discussions) | 36% |
Personal Practice Philosophy Statement: Part I | 90 points | 9% |
Personal Practice Philosophy Statement: Final | 150 points | 15% |
Clinical Practice Essays | 400 points (100 points X 4 assignments) | 40% |
Total | 1,000 points | 100% |
All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. E.T. on the dates listed below. Unless otherwise specified below, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit week. Discussion participation requirements are described in detail in the syllabus and in the participation grading rubric. Students should review these documents carefully as part of the “getting started” process. Please also note the earlier Friday and Sunday due dates in Week 8.
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.
Postings to the discussion board must add substantively to the discussion by building upon classmates’ ideas or posing critical questions to further the discussion. For example, a posting of “I agree with what people are saying” is not sufficient. Your course facilitator will be monitoring participation throughout each week and is available by course message or “Ask the Class” if you have any questions. Keep in mind that weekly postings make up a significant percentage of the final grade. All postings must be respectful. If at any time you are concerned with a posting, please notify your course facilitator immediately. Each week you have the potential to earn up to 45 points for participation. Please refer to the Participation Rubric to see how your weekly participation will be evaluated.
The majority of your discussions require a certain quantity of posts. Please note these are the MINIMUM requirements. To ensure you contribute to the overall learning process and earn the maximum participation grade-points, you must post before or by the Saturday initial post deadline and actively engage with classmates in the course discussion boards over a minimum of three different days each week.
All posts to the discussion boards should be completed by 11:59 p.m. E.T. of the last day of the module as indicated in the “Course Schedule.” Any discussions that extend beyond that date and time will not be considered a part of the grade and/or assignment, but rather optional reading. Initial posts are due by 11:59 PM ET Saturday; responses to classmates and other additions to the discussions are due by the end of the class-week.
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance 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.
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
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.
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:
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.