PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK SWK 2000
Class Hours: 3.0							Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0							Date Revised: Spring 05
This course is intended for transfer.
Catalog Course Description:
		Emergence of the social work profession; professional mission, knowledge, skills and values, practice settings, client groups, helping services, career patterns, practice methods. Designed to assist students to consider their ability for a career in social work.
Entry Level Standards:
		Must be able to read and write at the college level.
Prerequisites:
		None
Corequisites:
		None
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:
		Required Texts: Morales, Armando & Bradford, Sheafor.  Socal Work:  A Profession of Many Faces, latest edition.  Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Inc.  Supplemental readings/speakers and articles will be assigned throughout the semester as well as videos related to various topics of interest.  Recommended Texts: Grobman, L. Days in the Lives of Social Workers, 2nd edition. Harrisburg, PA: White Hat Communications. American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. latest edition. Washington, DC.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
		Week				Topic
		1				Course Introduction: Review syllabus Course requirements Social Work Degree Program: Mission Objectives  Curriculum area  Progression policies  Student organizations  Portfolio
		2				Organization of the Social Work Profession:  Degrees available Other professional social work organizations The Nature of Social Work:  Definition Emergence of the profession Historical review Relationship with social welfare  Liberalism vs. conservatism
		3				Profession of Social Work:  Mission Knowledge, skills and values Use of self Code of ethics Social Work Values and Ethics: Competencies Value conflicts
		4				Baccalaureate Generalist Practice: Foundation of social work practice Person-in-environment approach Generalist as compared to a specialist Problem-solving approach Strengths based practice Career options Practice Settings and Client Groups: Non-profit For-profit Public Vouluntary Non-voluntary
		5				Fields of Practice: Child welfare Mental health Public welfare Medical Schools Aging Others
		6				Urban Social Work Practice: Client groups Major characteristics that influence practice Case studies Rural Social Work Practice: Client groups Major characteristics that influence practice Case studies
		7				Introduction to Special Populations: Ecosystems model Societal induced stressors affecting special populations Individuals living in poverty
		8				Practice with Special Populations: Lesbian, gay and bisexual people Women Elderly
		9				Practice with Special Populations (cont.): Children at risk Persons with mental illness
		10				Practice with Special Populations (cont.): Persons with disabilities ADA Racial and ethnic minorities within special populations
		11				Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity: Demographics Trends Prejudice and discrimination Inequality and Oppression: Racism
		12				Strategies for Advancing Social and Economic Justice: Macro strategies Micro strategies The Role of Prevention: Cost effectiveness Gordon's Model vs. Public Health Model
		13				Working in Organizations: Agency-based practice Public and private agencies Host organizations Professionals within a bureaucracy Record keeping Working with other professionals Continuing education
		14				Realities of Practice: Changing needs Scarce resources Case management Organizational dilemmas Resistance Prejudice and discrimination Challenges to the profession Future of Social Work
		15				Final Exam Period
II. Course Objectives*:
		A. B.			Understand and analyze the knowledge base, skills and values of the dominant profession within the social welfare institution, with a special focus on the mission and concern for social and economic justice.  III Understand and analyze the evolution of the social work profession and its relationship with the social welfare institution. III
		C.			Understand and analyze the interaction between the person in all of his/her diversity and environmental situations as the focus of professional practice. III
		D.			Understand and analyze a solution-seeking or generalist approach to social work practice and the competencies to utilize this problem-solving approach. III, IV
		E.			Understand and analyze the realities of social work generalist practice in both urban and rural areas. II, III
		F.			Understand and analyze social environment and its impact on the opportunity structure for minority groups, toward an understanding of human diversity. II, III
		G.			Understand and analyze the professional literature and professional organizations as resources for continued professional growth and support II, III, IV
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR’s general education goals.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
		1.			Use teamwork to accomplish in class group activities utilizing knowledge of course concepts. Social/Behavioral Sciences Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
		2.			Complete a project (oral presentation, media report, application paper, or vision volunteer), demonstrating their ability to apply course content. Communication Outcome, Social/Behavioral Sciences Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
		3.			Use the World Wide Web and Pellissippi State library resources to access information for media reports, application papers, and oral presentations.   Technological Literacy Outcome
		4.			Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, and good manners. Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
		1.			Identify various fields of practice within the social work profession. A, B, G
		2.			Discuss basic knowledge, skills and values for entry-level social work practice. A
		3.			Discuss the emergence and relationship of the profession of social work within the context of the social welfare institution. A, B
		4.			Describe the competencies which are expected of the entry-level social worker. D
		5.			Identify and demonstrate basic practice skills of problem-solving and interpersonal communication. D
		6.			Identify some of the major problems addressed in rural and urban areas and the special populations assisted by baccalaureate social workers. E
		7.			Discuss social work practice within a problem-solving perspective that incorporates a variety of helping roles, and is rooted in system theory. D
		8.			Discuss the meaning of human diversity, blaming the victim, creaming the poor, and dual perspective and how these concepts influence practice. F
		9.			Discuss the rewards and challenges of the social work profession. G
		10.			Articulate the reasons for further pursuance of a B.S.S.W or for switching into another area of interest. G
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
		A. Testing Procedures: 50% of grade
				There will be two examinations given: Midterm                25% Final Exam            25% No make-up examinations will be given.  Under extremely extenuating circumstances, resulting in an excused absence, a separate comprehensive final will be given.
		B. Laboratory Expectations:
			N/A
		C. Field Work: 25% of grade
			Volunteer hours and volunteer presentation:  25% Experience as a vision volunteer (25 hours required); Must include: --NASW definition of social work and how is applicable/or not applicable to your volunteer placement --Agency name and purpose --Information about client population(s) served; voluntary vs. involuntary; how does this impact service/outcome? --Hiring requirements for social workers.  BSW or MSW or both? --Interview with a Social Worker - at least 1 page ---Summary of your learning experience.- describe a typical day, a not-so-typical day and your thoughts and feelings associated with each, e.g.  How did this day affect you personally, professionally? --Did this experience influence your decision regarding a possible social work career?  How so?  Please review positives as well as any negative experiences, including personal thoughts and feelings related to your volunteer experience. --A one-page handout for class discussion
		D. Other Evaluation Methods: 25% of grade
			Class attendance and group presentations:  25 % Students are expected to attend all class sessions, and to prepare by completing the assigned readings.  Approximately 1/2 of class time will include lectures and discussion to clarify and supplement text.  The remaining class time will include video tapes, role-play, small group discussion/presentations, and speakers.
		E. Grading Scale:
			A     92-100  B+    99-91  B      82-88  C+    79-81  C      72-78  D      65-71  F      Below 65
VI. Policies:
		A.  Attendance Policy:
			Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.
	B.     Academic Dishonesty:
			Academic misconduct committed either directly or indirectly by an individual or group is subject to disciplinary action. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following practices: Cheating, including but not limited to unauthorized assistance from material, people, or devices when taking a test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or reports; solving problems; or completing academic assignments. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign either (1) an F or zero for the assignment or (2) an F for the course.
	C. Accommodations for disabilities:
			If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.