This course will examine policy, varying service delivery systems, funding and the role of social workers in the areas of partner abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse. This course will help students understand the context in which domestic violence practice occurs. The course will also focus on the role of the social worker in assessing for domestic violence with their clients. Culturally sensitive practice issues will be discussed and their impact on individuals seeking services. The course will also focus on developing student’s abilities in assessment and intervention techniques with both survivors and individuals that batter. The course focuses on developing students’ abilities to identify and explore ethical issues in domestic violence practice.
“Violence against women and girls is perpetuated in every country in the world. This occurs in situations of peace and conflict. However, the state agents and private actors responsible are not held to account… While the international and regional communities have established standards to prevent, punish, and eradicate violence and discrimination against women, many states have yet to take the steps necessary to implement these standards in domestic legislation and practices… We highlight the fact that women who have been subjected to violence and discrimination generally lack access to effective judicial protection and remedies. Strategies must be implemented that involve law reform, and in particular reform of the criminal justice system. Training is required for policy makers, police, judges and prosecutors. There must also be provision of legal, medical and psychological counseling and adequate social services for victims. States should use the education system and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the general public to assist them in implementing international standards at the national level.” (Joint Declaration of the Special Rapporteurs on Women’s Rights, March 8, 2002, http://www.cidh.org/women/declaration.women.htm, retrieved: 5/2/11.)
Social workers in all fields of practice will encounter individuals whose lives are affected by Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence (IPV/DV). This course will increase students’ understanding of this complex issue. Any discussion of IPV/DV must include an examination of the societal values that contribute to violence in the home. The intersectionality of race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, and class will be examined for their impact on victims/survivors, children, and individuals who abuse their partners. Best practices in IPV/DV work will include screening/assessment, empowering interventions, safety planning, recognizing both the traumatic effects of DV on children as well as supports for resilience, evaluating mental health interventions/therapeutic modalities that are contra-indicated, accountability for the abuser, and the importance of inter-professional collaboration with other systems (e.g., medical, mental health, criminal justice system, etc.). IPV/DV requires that social workers engage in social justice advocacy to address institutional barriers for victims/survivors their children and individuals who abuse their partners. Students will develop skills in screening/assessment tools for working with survivors and individuals who abuse their partners. Current practices in the field of IPV/DV such as using Risk Assessments with individuals who batter in place of traditional mental health assessments will be reviewed as well as the requirements of ‘Duty to Warn.’ Students will develop skills in using empowerment practice models such as survivor therapy in working with survivors, which will include safety planning and advocacy skills with systems. Ethical practices for social workers’ engaged in providing services to victims/survivors and individuals who abuse their partners will be reviewed.
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
A variety of learning activities is designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each week include the following:
This course will use an array of readings, website resources, and videos to present the important concepts in the various weeks. The readings and media resources provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads, the reflection journal and other written assignments.
An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion forums within each week. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. Please refer to the Discussion Board Rubric in the course for grading criteria.
You will have two case study assignments that add up to half of your overall grade. You will submit the first case study assignment in Week 4 and the second case study in Week 7.
Additionally, there is one reflective journal in this course.
Finally, in Week 6, there is too much reading to expect any one student to be able to finish on his or her own. Therefore, you will be assigned to pick from a pool of readings and write a Literature Review of your selections, to be shared with your groupmates. As each of your groupmates will also be submitting a literature review of their own, you will be able to refer to their work – and they to yours – to gain a more complete and thorough picture of the material than you would be able to do so on your own.
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 | Point Value | Percentage of Grade |
---|---|---|
Participation | 360 points (30 points x 8 whole class discussion forums, plus 30 points x 4 small group literature reviews) | 36% |
First Case Study Paper | 250 points | 25% |
Second Case Study Paper and Summary of Feedback | 250 points | 25% |
Reflective Journals | 140 points (70 points x 2) | 14% |
Total | 1,000 points | 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 |
Overview – What is DV/IPV, how prevalent is it, who is affected and what is the historical perspective on this issue?
Experience with IPV, Myths about Abusers
Case Study #1 (due in Week 4) and Case Study #2 (due in Week 7) introduced
Resources about abusive men, gay and female abusers
Individuals who abuse their partners
Continue working on Case Study #1 (due in Week 4)
Choose two of the articles below:
What Would You Do?
Case Study #1 due
Choose 1 article from the Week 6 reading list for your literature review and discussion.
Websites on IPV/DV
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.