Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 613 Advanced Trauma-Based Practice

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.

Addendum: This course provides a general understanding of trauma and its effect on the brain caused by various types of trauma experiences and the differences of outcomes of trauma upon people especially those of diverse backgrounds. It will provide opportunity for the examination of personal beliefs with regard to trauma and consideration of practice in an anti racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive manner. The use of a Trauma Informed approach and various treatment modalities are presented and will assist students to learn social work practice interventions that will be helpful for survivors of trauma experiences.

 

This course addresses traumatic events, exposure and outcomes that social workers will most likely assess and provide practice interventions for clients throughout their career. As we learn through the course about trauma and the negative effects, it is important that students recognize how this material may also affect them. Do be mindful of your own needs. There is no requirement to share or discuss in the Discussion Boards or Reflective Journals any personal information that can result in your discomfort. It is more important that you engage in the course with peers and faculty in a meaningful manner that promotes your learning and while not triggering discomfort. The course faculty is available to assist if such situations arise.

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 completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate gained knowledge of the neurobiology effects of trauma, trauma theory and the overall impact of primary and secondary trauma EPAS 6 & 7
2. Identify personal or professional biases (current/potential), regarding persons with primary or secondary trauma experiences. EPAS 1 & 3
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the trauma experience for marginalized groups of people that include barriers to social justice, anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. EPAS 2 & 3
4. Apply trauma theory and intervention strategies in an ethical and professional manner with clients. EPAS 1, 6, & 7
5. Explain trauma theory and intervention strategies in an ethical and professional manner in presentations with peers. EPAS 1, 6, & 7

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 Trauma Case Video Presentation and Trauma Research Paper with the opportunity to receive and provide feedback on those projects as they are developed.

Journals

In this course, you will be required to post four times 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 Video Presentation (due in Week 4), EPAS 6 & 7

This client case video assignment has two parts.

For the first part, you will make a biopsychosocial assessment in which you distill key data about the client (de-identified) for discussion with your peers. 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.

The second part of the video assignment will include a description of the larger connection between the client’s case and your chosen trauma research topic describing how this case will bridge to your Trauma Research Paper due in week 7.

Trauma Research Paper (due in Week 7), EPAS 1,2,3 & 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 10-12 pages, excluding a title 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. Consult the APA Manual to ensure that the paper follows APA 7 guidelines. 

For additional instructions, review Looking ahead -Major Assignments (due in weeks 4 and 7) in the Welcome Module.

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	Percentage Value
Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement	1 point	1%
Weekly Discussions	2 points x 19 discussions (38 points)	38%
Reflective Journal Entries	2.5 points x 5 weeks (10 points)	10%
Trauma Case VideoPresentation	25 points	25%
Trauma Research Paper	25 points	25%
Total	100 points	100%

Grade Scale

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