HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOC-104Bergen Community College
Division of Business, Social Sciences & Public Services
Department of Social Sciences
Departmental Policy Syllabus
SOC-104 Introduction to Social Work
Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: February 29,2016
Course Typically Offered: Fall____ Spring____ Summer____ Every Semester__x__ Other_________________
Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ____ Date:____________
(Most courses need review Ad Hoc Committee on Learning Assessment ____ Date:____________
by only one of the following) Curriculum Committee: ____ Date:____________
An individual classroom syllabus for this course must include as much of the following information as
is applicable:
Basic Information about Course and Instructor
Semester and Year:
Course and Section Number: [e.g., SOC-102-001]
Meeting Times and Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description
SOC-104 – This course is an analysis of the goals, ethics and values of social workers, agency structure,
how social workers can advocate for change across client systems, considerations for the delivery of
culturally competent social services, and the critical role that advocacy and a strengths-based perspective
plays in the role of a social worker. Through lectures and group participation, students learn perspectives,
definitions, dynamics, current issues, and social work roles while working within a multicultural society.
3 lectures, 3 credits
Prerequisites: None
C-requisites: None
Social Science Elective
Student Learning Outcomes/Means of Assessment
Objectives: Upon successful completion, the
student will be able to:
Means of Assessment: This outcome will be
measured by one or more of the following:
1. Identify the general goals, competencies,
responsibilities and objectives of generalist
practice within the social work profession.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
2. Identify social work’s core values, roles,
fields of practice and career paths.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
3. Identify the structure and function of social
work agencies and the range of services
within social service networks.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
4. Describe the empowerment change process
including: engagement, assessment,
planning, implementation and evaluation and
develop introductory interviewing skills of
beginning level generalist social work
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
5. Identify the student’s perception of “self”
including the distinction between self interest
and advocacy, and client self-determination.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
6. Identify client systems in social work
including the ecosystems perspective and
the impact of community/physical
environment on peoples’ lives
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
7. Demonstrate an understanding in diversity
and social work including topics in
multicultural social work practice, racial and
ethnic diversity, and sexual diversity.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
8. Identify contemporary issues in fields of
practice including: poverty, homelessness,
criminal justice, health, mental health,
intimate partner violence, child abuse, and
elder abuse.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
9. Identify the understanding of why one needs
to evaluate practice.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
10. Describe the major concepts of social justice
and the necessity for all to have equal
access to resources and opportunities.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
Course Content
This course is designed so that:
1. As a general introduction to social work, students will be introduced to concepts and
application of theories, research, and treatment related to social work.
2. Students will learn how to define social work related terms.
3. Students will gain an understanding of various social service and resources available to
persons experiencing: poverty, child welfare, involvement with the criminal justice
system, health care, mental health and developmental disability, housing, homelessness,
and aging.
4. Students will gain an understanding of social work values, ethics and knowledge base.
5. Students will gain an understanding of a range of intervention, treatment, and prevention
strategies and a beginning level of knowledge of the helping process .
6. Students will gain an understanding of the influence of diversity and working within a
multicultural society.
Special Features of the Course (if any) [to be designated by the instructor]
E.g., the use of learning technologies in the course (Internet, PowerPoint, etc.); the inclusion of
technological literacy and/or information literacy learning in the course; etc.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials
Required Texts for Reference:
DuBois, Brenda and Miley, Karla Krogsrud (2014). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, 8th ed.
Boston: Pearson.
Rosenberg, J. (2011). Working in Social Work. New York: Rouledge.
Research, Thinking, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s)
All students in the Introduction to Social Work course will be expected to engage in one or more written
assignments. These assignments may be essay questions on one or more tests, an essay test, or a short
written report based on outside readings or activities.
Students should be encouraged through classroom activities to think about, analyze, and use basic
sociological and social work concepts in the analysis of related issues. Memorization of key concepts and
theories should be thought of as the first, not the final, stage of learning significant c ourse materials.
Grading Policy
In determining a student’s semester grade, a minimum of three, and preferably more, grading
mechanisms should be employed. Multiple choice, matching, fill-in, true/false, and short answer
questions are appropriate. Term projects and research reports may be utilized, as well as essay
questions based on outside readings should be considered. If a web site for the course is developed (this
is encouraged), students may also be evaluated on the basis of their participatio n in online discussions.
Online exams are acceptable, if they are one of several assessment tools.
Grading System:
Students will be presented with a grading system for the course on the first day of the semester. The
grading system will include, at a minimum, two or three components:
1. A scale for determining grades A-F, such as the following:
a. A = an average of 90 or higher
b. B+ = an average between 85 and 89
c. B = an average between 80 and 84
d. C+ = an average between 75 and 79
e. C = an average between 70 and 74
f. D = an average between 60 and 69
g. F = an average lower than a 60
2. An explanation for the value of course components can include as per the following:
a. 3 tests: each test represents 25% of the final grade for a total of 75%
b. 1 short paper: represents 20% of final grade
c. attendance/participation represents 5% of final grade, or if online,
d. 5 online discussions: each discussion is 20% of final grade for a total of 100%
Attendance Policy
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each
section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Att endance
will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Sociology Discipline Attendance Policy:
The discipline has agreed to leave attendance policies up to the discretion of each course instructor.
Attendance Policy in this Course:
To be determined by the instructor
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements [optional but recommended]
Examples:
Code of Student Conduct.
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty.
ADA statement.
Sexual Harassment statement.
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology.
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Student and Faculty Support Services [optional but recommended]
List support services, e.g., the Writing Center, the Math Lab, the Tutorial Center, Online Writing Lab
(OWL), Office of Specialized Services, etc.
Include a statement on the BCC Library.
Example:
Student and Faculty Support Services
The distance Learning
Office-for any problems
you may have
accessing your online
courses
Room C-334
210-612-5581
psimms@bergen.edu
Smartthinking Tutorial
Service
On Line at: www.bergen.edu/library/learning/tutor/smart/ind
ex.asp
The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Online Writing Lab
(OWL)
On Line at: www.bergen.edu/owl
The Office of Specialized
Services (for Students
with Disabilities)
Room S-131 201-612-5270
www.bergen.edu/oss
The Sidney Silverman
Library
Room L-226 201-447-7436
Statement on Accommodations for Disabilities
Bergen Community College aims to create inclusive learning environments where all students have
maximum opportunities for success. Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation
based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Specialized Services at 201-612-5269
or via email at ossinfo@bergen.edu for assistance.
Include a Course Outline and Calendar
The Course Outline and Calendar must include all of the following elements;
A daily or (at least) weekly schedule of topics to be covered.
Dates for exams, quizzes, or other means of assessment.
Due dates for major assignments-e.g., due dates for the paper(s), due dates for the project(s) etc.
Any required special events-e.g., a lecture by a visiting speaker, a dramatic performance etc.
A note to students stating that the course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
Sample Format for Course Outline and Calendar
UNIT # TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
Week 1
What is social work?
Field Instruction and the Social Work
Curriculum: A Guide for Social Work
Students.
Chapters 1 and 2, pp. 1- 21
DuBois and Miley, Chapters 1 & 4
Week 2
The Agency base of
Practice: The Social
Service Delivery System.
1 Rosenberg, Chapters 1, Addictions
2. Who has the Power? Chapter 4
Week 3
The Social Service
Delivery System, cont’d
1. Getting to Know your Agencies,
Chapter 5.
2. Distinguishing features of
organizations, Chapter 2
3. Rosenberg, Chapter 13, Schools
Week 4 The Social Service
Delivery System, cont’d
DUE: Professional
development essay
1. DuBois and Miley, Chapter 3
2. Organizational Structure.
Week 5 Diversity and Social
Work: Different strokes
for different folks.
DuBois and Miley, Chapter 7
Rosenberg, chapter 2, Older Adults
Week 6 Diversity and Social
Work: Social Justice
DuBois and Miley, Chapter 6
Ethnic-Sensitive Practice,
Week 7 Intervention skills :
working with clients
DUE: Article analysis
Community Context of
Practice – Community
needs
DuBois and Miley, Chapter 8
Rosenberg, Chapter 3, Child Welfare
Rosenberg, Chapter 5, Domestic
Violence
Focusing on Communities and
Neighborhoods, Chapter 8.
Week 8 Community Context of Environment (Social Work practice),
Practice – Community
needs
Intervention Skills:
working with clients
Chapter8 .
DuBois and Miley, Chapter 9.Basic
Counseling Responses Part 1
Week 9 Intervention skills:
working with clients:
continued
Rosenberg, Chapter 5, Rosenberg,
Chapter 4, Criminal Justice.
Helping Skills for Understanding
Week 10
Research resources for
social workers, writing a
professional paper and for
evidence based practice
Social Work and Social
policy
DUE: Community
Assessment Paper
Hacker
www.OWL.edu
DuBois and Miley, Chapters 2 & 10.
Rosenberg, Chapter 6, health care
Week 11
Fields of Practice, the
Public Domain
Fields of Practice, Health,
Rehabilitation and Mental
health
DuBois and Miley, Chapter 11
DuBois and Miley, Chapters 12.
Rosenberg, Chapter 7, Housing and
homelessness
Week 12
Fields of Practice, Youth
and Families
Fields of Practice, Adult
and Aging
DuBois and Miley, Chapters 13.
Dubois and Miley, Chapters 14.
Rosenberg, Chapter 8, International
arena
Week 13 Introduction to Social
Work Research
Rosenberg, chapter 9, Mental illness
Moodle Power Pt Research and
Evaluation
Moodle Power Pt Single System
Evaluation
Evidence Based Practice article tba
Rosenberg, chapter 10, Military
Week 14 Social Work values
DuBois and Miley, Chapter 5
NASW Code of Ethics
Rosenberg, chapter 11, end-of-life
Week 15 Terminating with clients,
colleagues and the
agency
Chapter 15, Evaluation and Chapter
16, Termination
Rosenberg, chapter 12, private practice
Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the
progress of the class.