Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 635 Aging and Health, Fall A, 2024
Credits - 3
Description
This course is a progressive overview of the field of aging beginning with the history and theories of gerontology and transitioning to the methods providers use with older consumers to maintain wellness and high functional levels in the later years. The latest research on exercise, nutrition and alternative and complementary health care for an aging population is emphasized.
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
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Investigate myths, stereotypes, and biases related to aging and increase evidence-based knowledge about healthy aging. (EPAS 1, 3, 4, & 9)
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Explore and describe normal physiological changes, mental health challenges, and illness’s impact on aging individuals and their families. (EPAS 4 & 7)
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Identify the services available in the community and residential settings, and make recommendations for any gaps in care. (EPAS 4 & 5)
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Conduct a mental status exam and implement a biopsychosocial framework to summarize assessment findings. (EPAS 7)
Assignments
Learning Activities
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:
This course will use a wide array of readings and multimedia. There are two textbooks for this course. These will be supplemented with articles and literature providing a more complex and in-depth examination of the themes and issues within the modules. Visual materials will be used in the form of power point slides as well as short film clips from a variety of sources. The readings and media resources provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads, assignment activities for personal portfolio, and written assignments.
Discussions:
Description: 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. Please refer to Course Policies about participation for a full discussion of expectations.
Grading and Feedback Method: Grading and feedback methods are listed with each specific discussion assignment. Please refer to the Learning Modules and Discussion Boards for more information.
Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments:
Description: You will complete three major independent assignments in this course. All the assignments will require that you venture out into the world to observe, interview, gather information, and make assessments and conclusions based on your observations and findings. In Weeks 1–6, you will create a Reflective Journal in addition to these items.
Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the “Course Schedule.”
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 | Point Value | Percentage of Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement | 1 points | 1% |
| Discussions | 2 points each, 18 points total | 18% |
| Reflective Journals | 3 points per journal, 15 points total | 15% |
| Observation of Older Adults Paper | 22 points | 22% |
| Interview of an Older Adult Paper | 36 points | 36% |
| Community Inventory Assignment | 6 points | 6% |
| Geriatric Social Work Competency Skills Assignment | 2 | 2% |
| 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 |
Schedule
Course Weeks
Week 1: Sep 4 – Sep 10
Week 2: Sep 11 – Sep 17
Week 3: Sep 18 – Sep 24
Week 4: Sep 25 – Oct 1
Week 5: Oct 2 – Oct 8
Week 6: Oct 9 – Oct 15
Week 7: Oct 16 – Oct 22
Week 8: Oct 23 – Oct 27
All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 P.M. E.T. on the dates listed below. Unless otherwise specified, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit week.
Week 1: Context of Aging
- Readings and Multimedia
- Discussions: 2 discussions, EPAS 2 & 3
- Assignment Submitted: Reflective Journal, EPAS 4
- Assignment Introduced: Older Adult Observation Assignment and Paper – Due in Week 2
Week 2: Biological and Psychological Social Changes in Aging
- Readings and Multimedia
- Discussion: Discussion, EPAS 4, 6, & 8
- Assignment Submitted: Older Adult Observation Assignment Due, EPAS 2,3, & 5
Week 3: Biopsychosocial Assessment and Differential Assessment and Diagnosis
- Readings and Multimedia
- Discussion: Discussion, EPAS 7
- Assignment Submitted: Reflective Journal, EPAS 4
Week 4: Interventions
- Readings and Multimedia
- Discussion: Discussion, EPAS 7
- Assignment Submitted: Reflective Journal, EPAS 7
- Assignment Introduced: Introduction to Interview of an Older Adult Paper – Due in Week 5
Week 5: Substance Abuse, Suicide, and Elder Abuse
- Readings and Multimedia
- Discussion: Discussion, EPAS 6,7 & 8
- Assignments Submitted: Reflective Journal, EPAS 4
- Interview of an Older Adult Paper Due, EPAS 1, 6 & 7
Week 6: Spirituality, Religion, and End-of-Life
- Readings and Multimedia
- Discussion: Discussion, EPAS 6
- Assignment Submitted: Reflective Journal, EPAS 4
- Assignment Introduced: Community Agency Inventory assignment introduced – Due in Week 7
Week 7: Informal Support Networks
- Readings and Multimedia
- Discussion: Discussion, EPAS 6 & 8
- Assignment Submitted: Community Agency Inventory Assignment, EPAS 2, 5, & 9
- Assignment Introduced: Geriatric Social Work Competency Skills – Due in Week 8
Week 8: Formal Support Networks
- Readings and Multimedia
- Discussion: Discussion, EPAS 5 & 6
- Assignments Submitted: Reflective Journal, EPAS 1 & 9
- Geriatric Social Work Competency Skills Assignment, EPAS 1 & 9
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.