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: Summer 01  
       
Catalog Course Description:    
  Emergence of the social work profession; professional mission, skills and values, practice settings, client groups, helping services, career patterns, practice methods. Designed to assist students in selecting a career in social work. 
Entry Level Standards:    
  Must be able to read and write at the college level.
Prerequisites:    
  None
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:  
  Morales, Armando & Bradford, Sheafor.  Socal Work:  A Profession of Many Faces, 8th Edition.  Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Inc., 1992.  Supplemental readings/speakers and articles will be assigned throughout the semester. as well as videos related to various topics of interest. 
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:    
  Week  Topic
  1-2 Introduction to course requirements; In-depth examination of the Baez Family Case Study in an effort to explore the effectiveness and of the Social Welfare System and the profession of Social Work within that system; History of Social Work Profession; Field and Settings within the profession
  3-4 Code of Ethics In Social Work; Competencies required for Social Work practice
Prevention as a new direction; Volunteer positions must be secured and all paperwork turned in (call vision volunteer office @ 694-6769 if you are having problems arranging placement)
  5-7 Social Work, Knowledge; Social Work Values; Social Work Skills; Social Work Roles
  8-13 Special Populations and Cultural Diversity; Ecosystems Model for Analysis of Psychosocial Factors Impacting on Special Populations; Midterm
  14-15 Social Workers in Action - Role Play with Practice Vignettes; Controversial Issues in Social Work
  16 Final Exam
II. Course Objectives*:    
  A. Demonstrate a complete understanding of the profession of social work. I.5, IV
  B. Exhibit adequate knowledge on the context of social work. I.5, IV
  C. Explain the basic principles and practice of social work. I.5, IV
  D. Exhibit adequate understanding of the special populations and concerns in social work. I.5, IV
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.
III. Instructional Processes*:     
Students will:      
  1. Use teamwork to accomplish in class group activities utilizing knowledge of course concepts. Problem Solving and Decision Making 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, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation 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.   Information Literacy Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome
  4. Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, and good manners. Personal Development Outcome
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’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. Recognize founders and goals of social work.  A, B, C, D
2. Identify major contributors in the field of social work. A, B, C, D
3. Demonstrate an understanding of causes and effects of stress and healthy coping strategies. A, B, C, D
4. Demonstrate an understanding of different approaches in therapy. A, B, C, D
5. Explain the basic principles and practice of social work. A, B, C, D
6. Describe the special populations and concerns in social work. A, B, C, D
*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
--Agencv 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:
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.