SOWK-110 The Field of Social Work

Please note that this syllabus is intended as an example only. It may not exactly match each session of the class offered.

Toni Peabody, Instructor

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General Course Description and Rationale

The general purpose of this course, as the title indicates, is to introduce the student to the Social Work Profession. Although there will be a consideration of characteristics shared by all human service professions, in general, this course will direct attention to those that distinguish social work from others. It will examine social work professional concepts, functions and roles, and value base. In addition, this course will explore selected service delivery systems in which social work is practiced with particular attention given to diverse oppressed population. Finally this course will facilitate the student’s preparation for and appreciation of the relevance of later courses in the BSW program and to help them explore their interest in a potential career in social work.

Course Objectives

The specific behavioral objectives of this course that students will be expected to demonstrate are:

  1. Knowledge of the major characteristics of social work and its programs and services.
  2. Knowledge of basic concepts of social welfare as an institution.
  3. Knowledge of basic concepts and definitions of social work as a profession.
  4. Knowledge of the basic value commitments in social work.
  5. Knowledge of theoretic orientations and skills needed for beginning generalist socialwork practice.
  6. Knowledge and understanding of the impact that the design, organization and operation of a service delivery system has on vulnerable and diverse client populations and various sizes with particular attention to racial minorities and women, the aged, homosexuals, and people with disabilities.

Assignments and Class Procedures

Required text

Morales, Armando and Sheafor, Bradford W. Social Work: a Profession of Many Faces. Allyn and Bacon, Inc., Boston, 2001, Ninth Edition

Suggested readings

There are two books on reserve in the library under "Peabody" to use as suggested readings.

Assignments

There will be two written assignments, one examination, one oral presentation, two local agency visitations required, one quiz, plus each student may choose to do a second oral presentation or another written assignment. In addition, each student must do a personal interview with a practicing social work professional. The purpose of the written assignments will be to allow the student to select and research an area of personal interest as well as gain exposure to and awareness of the field of social work. The oral presentations will allow the student to increase his or her public speaking skills and to share his or her newly gained knowledge of social work with the entire class.

  1. Social Work Awareness Assignment
    In order to sensitize the students' awareness and increase their knowledge of social work and social work issues, students are asked to read local and national newspapers and professional newsletters and journals and use the Internet. Students must turn in 3 articles they have read which are relevant to social work issues. At least two of the articles must be from the following professional journals found in the library: Social Work in Health Care, Social Work with Groups, Child Welfare, Social Education, Journal of Women and Social Work, etc.

    Use one separate page for each article; each page must include:
    • Identify the author(s), article title, source of the article, volume, date, pages
    • Summarize each article by stating major points, synopsis, 1 or 2 paragraphs
    • State why this article is relevant to social work - 1 paragraph or less
    • Attach newspaper article, not journal articles.
    • Type each article review.

    Students must be prepared to share findings in class.
    Date Due: Thursday, January 29th.
     
  2. Mid-Term Examination—Study Guide
    Covering materials read or discussed in class up to date of exam.
    Mid-term Exam date: Thursday, February 26th.
     
  3. Oral Presentation/Reaction Paper Assignment/Personal Interview
    Oral presentations will be given in class. Small group presentations will be given. Each student will research an area of interest relative to social work including one personal interview with a social worker. Each member of the group must present during the class period. Format, topic and design of the presentation will be up to the small group — creativity is encouraged! Handouts and visual aids are encouraged. Students cannot read their presentations. Grades will be determined by preparation, content, delivery, creativity and staying within the time limit (See attached oral evaluation form). An individual grade will also be given. Oral presentations will be at least 1 hour for a small group, and 30-40 min. for an individual presenting alone on a topic. Each topic presented will include micro and macro issues of practice as well as the role of the social worker.
    In addition to the oral presentations, each student will write a reaction paper. The paper should be 3-4 typed pages. References should be included in the paper. Each paper needs a title page and a bibliography.
    1. The area of social work you chose, your increased knowledge of the problem and issues surrounding it. Research in this area; role of the social worker in this area. Micro and Macro visit experience and information about the Social Worker, , their tasks, etc.
    2. Comments from the oral presentation experience, personal and /or system. Comments regarding the assignment, self-knowledge; comments regarding working in the group, your "role" etc.
    3. Bibliography; including personal interview date and time.

    Oral presentations begin March 23rd through April, 20th. Assigned dates to present orals will be given at a later date. Reaction paper is due the class immediately following your presentation.
     
  4. Quiz
    One announced quiz will be given between mid-term and the last day of class. Quiz will cover readings assigned, class discussions and presentations from midterm until end of semester. Quiz is not cumulative!
     
  5. Agency Profile—Student's Choice
    The final assignment is an opportunity for each student to present an "agency profile" of a social service program providing social work in an existing agency. An example and format for assignment are attached.

    This assignment can be written or oral. Write in narrative or outline form, both are acceptable. Orals and written Agency Profiles will be due on Tuesday, April 20th.
    Oral - 10-15 minutes
    Written - 3-5 pages in length.
     
  6. Class Participation, Agency Visits, and Professional Interview
    Students must attend all classes; if you are unable to attend a class the instructor must be notified. Students are expected to participate in class and attend agency visits. Two local agencies will be visited during regularly scheduled class time. Times, dates and directions to sites will be given out later in the semester. Each student is required to interview one practicing social worker during the semester and write a thank you not afterwards.

Grading: Total 100 Points

Assignment Points
Awareness Assignment 24
Mid-Term Examination 40
Oral Presentation 40
Reaction Paper 30
Quiz 25
Agency Profile 20
Class Participation/Agency Visits/Interview (7 points each)   21
Total 200


Each student will have the opportunity to evaluate the content and organization of this course as well as the instructor. An evaluation form will be distributed to each student at the end of the semester. Extra Credit Students have the opportunity to do additional work in order to earn “extra credit”! See Instructor. A maximum of 10 points may be earned during the semester doing extra credit work.

Schedule

January 12
Introduction – course, students, instructor, responsibilities. History of Social Welfare, defining Social Work and Social Work as a profession.
Read: Morales and Scheafor – Preface, Chapters 1 and 2

January 19
Social Work as a profession and practice
Guest speaker – Josephine Hughes, Executive Director of NASW.
Read: Morales and Scheafor – Chapters 3 and 4

January 26
Setting of Social Work Practice/Direction and Practice
1st Assignment due – share in class
Read: Morales and Scheafor – Chapters 6 and 0 and other readings/handout

February 3
Fields of Social Work Practice
Field Trip – Location and Directions will be provided
Read: Morales and Scheafor – Chapter 5 and “Baez Case”, Hand-out

February 10
Social Work Knowledge, Values and Competencies
Read Chapters 7 and * and other readings as assigned – Hand-outs – Internet and Encyclopedia of Social Work – share in class.

February 17
Social Work around the World, Read Chapter 10
Understanding ourselves and others
The Helping relationship/communication/interviewing
Guest Speaker and handout Midterm Study Guide

February 24
Field Trip and Midterm

March 2
Begin "Special Populations"
Read: Sections A & B, and Chapters 11,12, 14, 15, and 21

March 8 through March 14
Spring Break: Have fun!

March 16
Field Trip and Continue Speical Populations

March 16-April 15
Oral Presentations
“Special Populations”, chapters reviewed when time allows

April 20
Agency Profiles – Oral and/or Written
Class Evaluation

April 22
Quiz

Finals Week
Last class—to be announced
Wrap-up and celebrate.

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