Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 618: Homelessness (Summer 2024)
Credits - 3
Description
Homelessness and Social Work: Voices from the Street. This course is aimed at increasing student awareness of contemporary social welfare policies, programs and practice issues relevant to providing social work services to homeless and other poor people. The homeless experience is examined in the context of societal oppression and political resistance.
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:
- Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
- Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Course Objectives:
Through the completion of their assignments, students will be able to:
- Explain the issues associated with homelessness. [EPAS 2]
- Use relevant research findings and evaluation methods that suggest best practices in working with people who are homeless. [EPAS 8]
- Explain the structure and rationale which accompanies contemporary conceptions of social needs. [EPAS 2]
- Recognize the impact of political, economic, and cultural factors on homelessness. [EPAS 3]
- Analyze specific concepts of social welfare services for people who are homeless. [EPAS 2]
- Evaluate the service delivery network that coordinates and integrates program efforts as well as monitoring, planning and evaluating the overall effectiveness of community services that address homelessness. [EPAS 9]
Assignments
A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning preferences, and build a community of learners.
Discussions
Discussions are an important part of the learning process in this course. In typical weeks, students are expected to post an initial response to the weekly discussion questions by Saturday, adhering to the requirements outlined in the prompt and Discussion Rubric. Most discussion activities also require you to respond to a minimum of 2 classmates in meaningful and substantive ways.
Assignments
You can find due dates for each of the following activities in this syllabus’s course schedule (below the grade breakdown table).
Critique of a Documentary
After watching a brief documentary about homelessness in Portland, Maine, you will write a 3-page critique of the film’s main points by addressing several guiding questions.
Analysis of a Comprehensive Plan
The U.S. Dept. of Urban Development (HUD) requires that every community receiving funds under the McKinney Act organize community stakeholders to decide upon a comprehensive plan to “end homelessness” in their community within the next ten years.
In this assignment, you will critique the Ten Year Plan for your community. You will create a narrated presentation of at least 10 slides, presenting your analysis with the aid of guiding questions.
Homelessness in My Community
You will submit a 6–7-page written paper that discusses some aspects of homelessness in your community. “Community” here is defined as your own city or town or your local region, e.g., “lower Fairfield County.” Your paper should describe homelessness along the multiple dimensions we explore through our class discussions and presentations.
Journals
This course features 5 journal activities. Some of the journals ask you to reflect on how different aspects of homelessness are narrated in popular media. Some will ask you to reflect on your own learning in this course.
Final Reflective Paper
You will write a 5–7 page reflection, including references. You will address guiding questions that ask you to apply your learning to social work practice, reflect on the role diversity and inclusion will play in your work, and consider the remaining gaps in your knowledge relating to practice with people who are homeless.
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 | Percent of the Total Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment of Academic Engagement | 1 point | 1% |
| Discussions | 18 points (9 forums x 2 points each) | 18% |
| Critique of a Documentary | 16 points | 16% |
| Analysis of a Comprehensive Plan | 16 points | 16% |
| Homelessness in My Community | 16 points | 16% |
| Journal Activities | 16 points (4 brief journals x 4 points each) | 16% |
| Final Reflective Paper | 17 points | 17% |
| Total | 100 points | 100% |
Schedule
Week 1: May 8 – May 14
Week 2: May 15 – May 21
Week 3: May 22 – May 28
Week 4: May 29 – Jun 4
Week 5: Jun 5 – Jun 11
Week 6: Jun 12 – Jun 18
Week 7: Jun 19 – Jun 25
Week 8: Jun 26 – Jun 30
All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST 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.
Week 1: Is Homelessness a “Real” Problem?
Discussions
2 forums [EPAS 2]
Assignment
- Journal [EPAS 2]
- Look ahead to major assignments.
Week 2: Extent of Homelessness in the United States and Beyond
Discussion
1 forum [EPAS 3]
Assignments
- Journal [EPAS 2]
- Critique of a Documentary [EPAS 2]
Week 3: Is Homelessness a Problem Rooted in Racism and Social Exclusion?
Discussion
1 forum [EPAS 2 & 3]
Assignment
- Analysis of a Comprehensive Plan [EPAS 3 & 5]
Week 4: Is Housing Social Work Practice?
Discussion
1 forum [EPAS 2 & 8]
Assignment
Journal [EPAS 2]
Week 5: Homelessness from a Community Perspective
Discussions
1 forum [EPAS 8]
Assignment
Homelessness in My Community [EPAS 8]
Week 6: Direct Practice with People Experiencing Homelessness
Discussion
1 forum [EPAS 8]
Journal [EPAS 2]
Week 7: John Case Study & Final Reflective Paper
Discussion
1 forum [EPAS 8 & 9]
Assignment
Final Reflective Paper [EPAS 2 & 3]
Week 8
Discussion
1 forum
Student Resources
Online Student Support
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
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Social Work Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/social-work/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
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.
Online Peer Support
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.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
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.
Career Ready Program
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.
Policies
Essential Academic and Technical Standards
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/
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
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.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Confidentiality Statement
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.
Late 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.
Attendance Policy
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.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
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.
UNE Course Withdrawal
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.
Academic Integrity
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:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
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.