Introduction to Social Work

Download as PDF
Class
SOCW 2361
An overview of the history and development of social work as a profession. The course is designed to foster a philosophical, historical, and critical understanding of the social work profession, including social work values, ethics, and areas of practice utilized under a Generalist Intervention Model. (SOCW 2361 is included in the Social Work Field of Study.) Lecture only, no lab fees

Student Conduct

Weatherford College has the responsibility and authority to formulate and enforce rules of student conduct that are appropriate and necessary to further the educational goals of the College and its students. Students who enroll must accept responsibility for their behavior and for their ultimate success in higher education. To create a positive climate for learning, Weatherford College expects all students to abide by a Code of Student Behavior.

To summarize: Students must maintain high standards of scholastic honest. Violations of the Weatherford Code of Student Behavior include but are not limited to cheating on tests or assignments, plagiarism, and collusion; violence or threats of violence; loud or abusive language; and failure to comply with the direction of College officials and instructors.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  1. Discuss the historical development of social work in the United States.
  2. Distinguish the profession of social work from other helping professions.
  3. Identify core values of social work as stated in the National Association of Social Worker (NASW) Code of Ethics.
  4. Identify the primary roles and functions of social workers (advocate, broker, facilitator, etc.).
  5. Identify practice settings where social workers function and articulate how these settings influence the roles of social workers.
  6. Describe the Generalist Intervention Model.
  7. Describe how the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners Code of Conduct guides social work practice.
  8. Describe how the NASW Code of Ethics guides social work practice.
  9. Describe social work’s goal of advancing human rights and justice.
  10. Describe social work’s obligation to serve diverse populations.
  11. Articulate the importance of self-care to prevent burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma.
Required Textbooks
Introduction to Social Work And Social Welfare, Zastrow, Charles, 2015, 12th Ed.
Grading Standards

Class participation & outside assignments will include class discussion questions and group participation, appropriate interaction with instructor and other students during lectures, and sharing personal findings and experiences in class. Outside assignments will include open book quizzes, glossaries, forums and internet research topics.

Exams will consist of multiple choices, true/false, short answer questions drawn from content of required text and semester study material

Homework 16%
Quizzes 13%
Glossary/Forum 12%
Participation 15%
Test #1 22%
Test #2 22%
Total 100%

Attendance

Your attendance is the biggest predictor of your success. Attendance in every class is expected. If a student is unable to attend class they should get in touch with their instructor. If for any reason the student expects to miss a lot of classes they should contact their instructor to determine all possible options.

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
Revised
Fall 2021
Last Modified
Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 2:16 PM