Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 552 Contemporary Theories of SW Practice with Individuals and Families (Summer 2020)

Credits - 3

Description

Building on the foundation year practice content, this course further prepares 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 socioeconomics, multiculturalism and human diversity. Methods of practice to be explored include therapeutic, supportive, educational, advocacy and community-based strategies and also the dynamic relationship that occurs across and between these interventions. Teaching methods 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. 

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

Through the completion of their assignments, students will demonstrate their ability to:

1. 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)

2. Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies. EPAS 6b (Measured in Class Discussions)

3. Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies. EPAS 8a (Measured in Clinical Practice Case Essays)

4. 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)

Assignments

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:

Readings and Multimedia:

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.

Discussions:

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.

Clinical Practice Essays: Due Weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7

Description: The Clinical Practice Essay assignments provide students with the opportunity to practice theories with a client of their choosing. 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.

Personal Practice Philosophy Statement (PPPS) Assignments: Due Weeks 2 and 8

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 Method

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

Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the “Course Schedule” and under My Grades in the Blackboard 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

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%