WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of Social Work and Gerontology
COURSE OUTLINE FALL 2011
SOCIAL WORK 5030 - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: SOCIAL WORK METHODS
COURSE: Social Work 5030 - Professional Development: Social Work Methods
CREDIT: Three (3) Semester Hours
PREREQUISITES: None. However, it is recommended this class be taken concurrently with
or consecutive to coursework in human growth and development (e.g.,
SW 2100 or SW 5010) and social welfare policy (e.g., SW 3500 or
SW 5020).
TIME: Monday 5:30-8:20 p.m.
LOCATION: Social Science Building, Room 121
INSTRUCTOR: Mark O. Bigler, LCSW, PhD
OFFICE: Social Science Building, Room 142
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
PHONE: (801) 626-6156
E-MAIL ADDRESS: mbigler@weber.edu
REQUIRED TEXT: Zastrow, C. H. (2010). The practice of social work: A comprehensive
worktext (9th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
National Association of Social Workers. (1999). NASW Code of Ethics.
Washington, DC: Author. (Available online at: http://www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/code.asp)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This professional development course is designed for non-social work majors who have or wish to have experience in the delivery of social services. Using an ecological and generalist approach to social work practice at the individual, family, group, organization, and community levels, this course provides training in a planned client change process and considers social work roles at various levels. A significant focus of this course is the study of the application of key values and ethical principles, as defined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), to professional practice and the resolution of ethical dilemmas. The course also includes content on the evaluation of practice and programs.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
After participating in this course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the history and evolution of social work as a profession.
2. Describe the generalist knowledge and skill base needed for Social Work practice.
3. Discuss social work practice in relation to client systems of various types and sizes.
4. Demonstrate the use of an ecological, generalist approach to the planned client change process.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (cont.)
5. Describe social work roles at various level (i.e., with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
6. Explain how systems can both facilitate and deter the attainment and/or maintenance of optimal health and well-being.
7. Identify forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies and skills that advance social and economic justice.
8. Model effective communication skills with various client populations, colleagues, and community members.
9. Apply critical thinking skills in the context of professional social work practice.
10. Describe the values and ethics of social work and apply these to various social work practice situations.
11. Apply various assessment and intervention skills that enable social workers to serve diverse populations.
12. Identify appropriate strategies for evaluating practice and program.
CLASS FORMAT
Because learning involves not only the acquisition of facts and information, but the examination of prior knowledge and personal experience as well, the format of this class will be predominantly experiential. The course will make frequent use of structured exercises, audiovisual material, and guest presenters. The learning experience will rely heavily on the participation of class members for planned exercises, role-playing, student panels, and small and large group discussion. Classroom activities and exercises will be supplemented by occasional lectures as a means of imparting factual information. Attendance and participation are crucial to your learning and that of others in the class.
ASSIGNMENTS
Attendance (90 total points)
Because student participation is a vital part of the learning process, students will be awarded 15 points per class for attendance. Attendance points will be based on a short writing assignment to be given the first five minutes of class. Students who miss class and those who arrive late will forfeit attendance points for that class period.
Ethical Dilemma Assignments (100 points)
Five times during the semester, you will receive an Ethical Dilemma Assignment. These assignments will require you to access the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Code of Ethics, available online at: http://www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/code.asp
Each of these assignments will include five scenarios presenting different ethical dilemmas. For each item, you will be asked to identify a specific ethical standard (1 point) by name, number, and letter that helps guide social work practice given the circumstances presented in the dilemma scenario. For example, for a dilemma that has to do with being educated in cultural competence, you would reference ethical standard 1.05, Cultural Competence, letter C. Also, briefly discuss how you would handle the ethical dilemma discussed (1 point). Would you do anything differently? Was the worker in the item practicing ethically? What should be done next? Each Ethical Dilemma Assignment will cover specific Ethical Standards. Successive assignment will require a review of different areas of the code.
Each dilemma is worth two (2) points, for a total of 10 points. An additional 10 points can be earned during class by analyzing and discussing each question with classmates in a small group format. The Ethical Principles of the Code are not included for the purpose of this assignment. DUE DATES: September 6, September 20, October 4, October 18, and November 8.
Core Values Paper (100 total points)
CORE VALUES: Identify and describe core values in your life. Using specific examples, discuss where these values may have originated and/or how they have developed in your life. Relate these core personal values to core values of the social work profession. How are your personal values consistent with those of the profession? In what ways might your personal values conflict with social work professional values? What steps can you take to resolve conflicts between your personal and professional values? How do you anticipate your values, both personal and professional, will affect your professional practice?
This report should be no less than seven but no more than eight pages in length and should adhere to the following formatting guidelines: 10- or 12-point font, double-spaced, one-inch margins on all sides, assigned title centered at the top of the first page (no extra space between the title and the text), no page numbers, single staple in the upper left-hand corner, and name printed legibly in the upper left-hand corner on the back of the last page. In addition to these specific directions, APA format should be used. This paper will be graded on depth of analysis and quality of writing (including adherence to the prescribed format). DUE DATE: October 11
Theory Presentation (100 total points)
Class members will divide into self-selected groups of 2-4 students each. Each small group will select a theoretical perspective common to social work practice and prepare a 30-minute presentation based on information in the primary text and other relevant materials. The presentation should introduce class members to the selected theoretical perspective and discuss its application to social work practice. Presentations should be both informative and interesting. Students are encouraged to make use of various media technologies and presentation styles/formats.
The group presentation will be worth 75 points and will be evaluated both by class members and the instructor in the following areas: overall quality, thoroughness, clarity, creativity/originality, and application to social work practice.
Each group will also prepare a brief, two-page summary of the theory discussed (10- or 12-point font, double-spaced, one-inch margins on all sides, theory title centered at the top of the page with no extra space between the title and the text) and provide a copy for every member of the class to be distributed on the day of the presentation. In addition, each group will prepare a list of 10 challenging questions regarding the theoretical perspective that might used as items on an exam. These may be multiple choice or true/false questions. The correct answer should be clearly indicated. The summary and set of questions will be worth 25 points.
Presentations will be made according to a pre-arranged schedule November 29. Groups and topics must be approved by the instructor no later than the end of class on September 13. Make arrangement early to get your first choice of topics. No two groups will be permitted to present on the same theory. DUE DATES: Group and topic approval, September 13; presentations, summaries, and questions, November 29.
EXAMS
Three exams are scheduled for this class. Exam questions will be drawn from required reading material, lecture, and class discussion. Each exam will be available using Chi-Tester at any WSU Testing Center. Exam 1 will be available Tuesday, September 21 through Saturday, September 25. Exam 2 will be available Tuesday, October 12 through Saturday, October 16. Exam 3 will be available Tuesday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 8. It is important that you check with the testing center for its hours of operation to avoid missing the exams. Each exam will be worth 100 points for a total of 300.
In an effort to make the exams a learning process, students will have the opportunity to retake Exams 1 and 2 in class on September 27 and October 18, respectively, in randomly assigned groups of three or four. Students will have 45 minutes to complete the exam as a group. The group’s responses will be scored and each member of the group will receive the equivalent of 25% of the group’s grade (i.e., a possible score of 25 points for each exam retake).
GRADING
The grade for this course is determined by the total points earned. The final grade will be awarded according to the following percentage scale: A 96-100%; A- 92-95%; B+ 88-91%; B 85-87%; B- 81-84%; C+ 76-80%; C 72-75%; C- 69-71; D+ 66-68%; D 63-65%; D- 60-62%; E 0-59%.
Criteria Points Possible
1. Attendance 90
2. Ethical dilemma assignments 100
3. Application paper 100
4. Theory presentations
-Presentation 75
-Summary 25
5. Exams
-Individual 300
-Group 50
Total 740
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office located in the Student Services Building, room 181 (626-6413). SSD can make arrangements for course materials, including this syllabus, in alternative formats if necessary.
WRITING EXPECTATIONS
As with other courses taught in the Department of Social Work and Gerontology, Social Work 5030 has among its objectives the improvement of students’ writing and analytical skills. Spelling, grammar, and coherent writing will be taken into consideration on all exams and assignments. Students are encouraged to make use of the free services of the Writing Center located in Elizabeth Hall, room 210 (626-6463).
PLAGIARISM
Students are encouraged to work together. However, cheating or copying another student’s work, past or current, without proper referencing is grounds for expulsion from Weber State University.
LATE WORK
All work is expected to be completed and turned in on or before the day it is due. If you anticipate being absent from class, you are welcome to complete and turn in work before it is due. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to check with fellow students or the instructor to get assignments that may be due the following week. Late work may be accepted at the discretion of the instructor. Ten percent of the total points possible will be deducted regardless of the reason for late submission.
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TOPICAL OUTLINE-TENTATIVE
WEEK DATE TOPIC ASSIGNED READINGS
1 08/23 Social work history and practice Chapter 1
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2 08/30 Social work values and ethics Chapter 2, NASW Code of Ethics, class notes
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3 09/06 Ethics (cont.), assessment Chapters 2, 3, NASW Code of Ethics
**MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 - ETHICAL DILEMMA ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE**
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4 09/13 Interviewing clients, Chapter 4
**MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 - PRESENTATION GROUPS AND TOPICS DUE**
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5 09/20 Counseling clients Chapter 5
**MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - ETHICAL DILEMMA ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE**
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**TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 - EXAM #1**
(chapters 1-5, class notes)
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6 09/27 Social work with groups (types, guidelines, concepts, skills) Chapters 6, 7
**MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - EXAM 1 RETAKE**
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7 10/04 Social work with groups (cont.), social work with families Chapters 7, 8
**MONDAY, OCTOBER 4 - ETHICAL DILEMMA ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE**
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8 10/11 Social work with communities and organizations Chapters 9, 10
**MONDAY, OCTOBER 11 - CORE VALUES PAPER DUE**
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**TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 - EXAM #2**
(chapters 6-10)
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9 10/18 Evaluating practice, social work practice with diverse groups Chapters 11, 12
**MONDAY, OCTOBER 18 - EXAM #2 RE-TAKE (chapters 6-10)**
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10 10/25 Spirituality and religion in social work practice, taking care of self Chapters 13, 14
**MONDAY, OCTOBER 18 - ETHICAL DILEMMA ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE**
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11 11/01 Rational therapy, sex counseling and therapy Module 1, class notes
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12 11/08 Behavior therapy, harm reduction Module 2, class notes
**MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1 - ETHICAL DILEMMA ASSIGNMENT 5 DUE**
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13 11/15 Reality therapy, psychoanalytic therapy Module 3, class notes
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14 11/22 Reality therapy, feminist theory, analysis of practice and evaluation of programs Module 4, class notes
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15 11/29 Theoretical perspectives
**MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29 - THEORY PRESENTATIONS AND SUMMARIES DUE**
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FINALS WEEK
**TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 - EXAM #3**
(chapters 11-14, modules 1-4, class notes)
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CLASSROOM RULES
1. Self-disclosure is often an important part of the learning process and can lead to valuable personal insight. To encourage the learning process, all personal disclosures made in class will be respected, will be held in confidence by all others, and will not be repeated outside of the classroom.
2. Though individual participation is strongly encouraged, each student has the right to choose not to participate in class discussion or exercise.
3. No question will be considered silly or stupid if asked seriously. Putdown comments are not allowed.
4. All feelings and opinions are valid, even negative ones. Although these feelings will differ from person to person, all feelings will be respected.
5. References to ethnic/racial and other minority groups should be made using language and terminology that is respectful and reflects an understanding of the "personhood" of members of that particular group.
6. When referring to someone’s partner, the use of non-heterosexist terms is preferred (e.g. mate, significant other, lover, or partner rather than husband, wife, etc.).
7. Cell phones and pagers will be turned off during class time. Phones that ring during class will be answered by the instructor.
8. Classroom rules apply to both students and the instructor.