Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 613 Advanced Trauma-Based Practice – Summer 2021

Credits - 3

Description

This course explores working with survivors in a trauma-based practice which validates the experience, respects the survivor, and helps her/him to become empowered. An examination of personal beliefs and definitions of trauma will serve as a first step toward the study of advanced trauma based practice. Using Trauma Theory as a foundation, students will learn practice methods and approaches that may be helpful in working with survivors. Case presentations will allow students the opportunity to discuss alternative practice approaches, understand the trauma survivor’s experience, and support & critique peers.

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 Outcomes

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

1. Define the term “trauma” as they apply it to their practice. Program Outcome #3 (As measured by discussion, journal and case presentation)
2. Demonstrate understanding of trauma theory and the impact of primary and secondary trauma on people’s lives. Program Outcome #3 (As measured by discussion, journal and case presentation)
3. Demonstrate awareness of their own, and societal primary and secondary reactions to traumatic events. Program Outcome #3 (As measured by discussion, journal and case presentation).
4. Conduct case presentations with a group of peers applying trauma-based practice theory and skills. Program Outcome #3 (As measured by case presentation).
5. Critically assess peer case presentations and practice. Program Outcome #3 (as measured by discussion questions and case presentations).
6. Practice trauma-based skills in their work with clients. Program Outcome #3 (As measured by discussion questions, final paper and case presentations).

Assignments

Discussions

An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each module. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. Unless otherwise specified in the course, initial discussion posts are due by Saturday at 11:59 PM ET and any response posts are due by Tuesday at 11:59 PM ET.

There is one whole-class discussion in each module in which the concepts explored within that module are discussed as a class. Additionally, there are recurring group discussions in which students are lead through incremental completion of the Case Presentation and Trauma Paper with the opportunity to receive and provide feedback on those projects as they are developed.

Journal

In this course, you will be required to post each week in a private journal (visible only to you and your instructor) on specific reflection questions relating to the week’s topics. Journals are due by Tuesday at 11:59 PM ET.

Assignments

There are two major assignments in this course.

Trauma Case Presentation (due in Week 3)

This assignment has two parts.

For the first part, you will make a History and Mental Status presentation in which you distill key data about the client (de-identified) for discussion with your peers (up to 4 pages). Not all of this data may be available to you, nor might all of it be applicable (e.g., military history), but you should strive to provide as much as you have that may be applicable.

For the second part, you will write in no more than 500 words how you see this case to be connected to the topic you plan to write about for your Trauma Research Paper.

For additional instructions, as well as grading criteria, review Major Assignments (due in weeks 3 and 6) by clicking in the left-hand navigation menu in the course.

Trauma Research Paper (due in Week 6)

Select a topic in trauma-based practice and write an analytical research paper that examines that topic in the field. Topics of interest to the student are encouraged and are not restricted to those mentioned below. Do seek approval from faculty on topic selection. Past topics have included:

• Child abuse
• Trafficking
• Increased PTSD frequency among military
• Exposure therapy
• Post-traumatic growth
• The relationship between eating disorders and a history of trauma

The paper should be no longer than 12 pages, plus a cover page, abstract, and reference page/pages. The selected topic is to be approved by the instructor. The discussion of this trauma topic is to be supported by the scholarly literature and also applied to an actual client case as well as any wider clinical implications. Include the importance of the topic to social work and your developing practice skills.

For additional instructions, as well as grading criteria, review Major Assignments (due in weeks 3 and 6) by clicking in the left-hand navigation menu 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