Course Syllabus

Instructor: Paula Sophia Schonauer, LCSW

Community Faculty/Instructor of Social Work

Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work

I retired from the Oklahoma City Police Department in 2014 after 22 years. Since then, I received my Master of Social Work degree at the University of Oklahoma. I am an advocate for community policing, active in the LGBTQ community, an author, and a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Oklahoma. I have worked in community mental health where I have specialized in working with people who have severe and chronic mental health diagnoses.  

Email: paulasophia@ou.edu

Cell Phone: (405) 203-3789 (Call or text if I have not responded to an email - I get so many others and miss some now and then.)

Office Hours by Zoom as requested.

 

For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Course Materials

Karger, H.J. & Stoesz, D. (2014). American social welfare policy: A pluralist approach (8^th) Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN-10: 0-13-462812-8.

Additional readings in posted in the appropriate module. 

Course Format

This course runs on a Monday-Sunday weekly schedule. Each module is expected to last one week. 

Grades

Breakdown

Policy Issue Brief Assignment 1	20%
Policy Analysis Assignment 2	35%
Policy Brief and Advocacy  Presentation Assignment 3	25%
Weekly Quiz	10%
Discussion Board	10%

Scale

90-100%	A	Excellent Work exceeds course expectations
80-89%	B	Good; Work meets course expectations
70-79%	C	Fair; Work marginally meets course expectations
60-69%	D	Poor; Work does not meet course expectations
Below 60%	F	Failure; Work falls significantly below course expectations

Course Components

Assignment #1: Policy Issue Brief

Description: A policy issue brief is a short document that states what is known about an issue or social problem that is affected by the government, whereas the government is considered part of the cause or solution to the issue. Issue briefs are designed to give the reader the background on the problem quickly, by clearly identifying the social problem or issue for consideration, and indicate a recommendation for action, and provides supporting evidence. Issue briefs are used by policy advocates to communicate main ideas to policymakers. They are brief, clear, and used at every level of government to elevate the issue or problem to key policymakers. Advocates and policy think-tanks often have these brief 2-page documents in hand as an aid to educate legislators and other elected officials. Your policy issue brief should not exceed 2 pages and is organized to be engaging and to the point. Your issue brief must address the items listed below.

 

1. Problem Statement: What is the social problem you are addressing? Discuss the history of the scope of the problem, including facts and document data from reliable sources. What is the present status of the problem as evidence by published literature, the nature of the population affected, or disproportionality affected by the problem? This section tells your story and compels the reader to pay attention and should use data to quickly tell the story.
2. Past and Current Policy: A small subsection that states the origins of the social policies that have been created to address the problem -OR- the history that lacks an adequate policy to prevent or resolve the problem. Explain why the status quo is just not going to work anymore. This is closely linked to your problem statement.
3. Conclusion: You can choose to include by identifying key advocacy organizations/individuals to look toward for more information. Summarize your main point.
4. Provide your sources. Footnote style or small section of your text. You should have a minimum of five credible sources (peer-reviewed articles, think tanks, or government reports. Avoid newspaper articles, blog posts, wiki, or policy organizations that are not grounded in research. You can see a list of think-tanks in Canvas)

You may use pictures, graphs, and text to communicate the main ideas. It should not be an essay and should not be written like a traditional college paper, but a document that a reader could review in a matter of minutes and get all the information. Be sure to use common terms and spell out acronyms. This is a document that should be accessible to someone who is less familiar with the policy problems. The policy brief must address a social problem, so be sure that you are clarifying the group or community that is impacted by the problem. While not required, I urge you to coordinate this assignment with your policy analysis, which is an in-depth analysis of a policy issue.

There are examples of professional issue briefs in Canvas from professional advocacy groups,  and a few student examples, used with permission.

Assignment 2: Policy Analysis

Policy Analysis

Assignment 2: Policy Analysis, Assesses Competencies 1, 3, & 5

Policy Analysis- (9-11 pages)

Social policy analysis is designed to engage in a critical review of the current policy environment and evaluate the impact of policy or a collection of policies. For this assignment, you will complete an analysis of a current bill intended to impact a social welfare problem. As you are researching and working, consider this larger question “if this bill is passed into law, what would be the impact or result of this decision?” This is an analysis, so the purpose is to take the research and information and draw professional conclusions that lead to action or decisions. This is not a summary or descriptive paper, which would organize ideas and make a presentation. Be concise, clear, and organized in choosing what to include and how to present the information so that a professional colleague less familiar with the topic will understand it and be persuaded by your analysis and conclusions. The headings and subheadings of the policy should adhere to the guide below. You must utilize at least 15 scholarly and/or credible sources in your policy analysis. (These can journal articles, legitimate websites, and/or various policy-oriented texts or reports from government or advocacy organizations).  Use APA style to format your paper.

 Introduction:

The introduction should provide the reader with information about the selected bill and the issue it is attempting to address. Because this is an analysis focused on this legislation it will help situate your writing and make it clear what you are working to accomplish in this analysis.

1. Introduce the legislation you have selected, using the title of the bill and the legislative body it is currently introduced (state, city, federal).
2. Briefly describe the proposed bill and the social problem/issue it is attempting to address, or the social problem that may occur as a result of the proposed bill (if you have selected a current bill that you believe would be harmful).

Contextual Analysis (6 pages)

Describe the current social, political, economic, and ideological context of the social welfare issue.

1. Identify and describe economic factors that are contributing to the social welfare problem. Explain how these economic factors can impact policy responses to the problem.
2. Overview Public opinion/social context on the social welfare issue and bill by providing answers to these questions: How does the general public perceive the issue? How is it framed in the media? What are people saying about the issue and policy responses to it? Are there any advocacy positions or efforts for or against the bill?  
3. Describe current programs and services intended to address the social welfare problem. Explain how the bill, if passed, will address the social welfare issue.
4. Identify potential negative consequences of the bill being passed (state comparisons are helpful).
5. Apply ecological systems theory and describe how this macro system intervention (the bill) is intended to affect each level (macrosystem, mesosystem, microsystem).

Policy Recommendations (3 pages)

Describe policy alternatives and your formal proposal for change.

1. Describe the specific bill or policy change you believe will solve the issue you have defined.  No public policy solves a full social problem. This is a section for you to consider what other steps need to be taken or items that could be included in the policy to improve desirable outcomes.
2. Overview policy alternatives that could better achieve the intended outcome. For example, what have other states/locations done?
3. Describe the intended impact(s) for affected individuals and communities of your proposed solution.
4. Make a case that supports your proposed solution as the best option, despite the alternatives (be sure your proposal is economically sound given very limited state dollars).
5. Explain how social work values are embodied in your proposed policy solution.
6. Be sure to provide a conclusion paragraph for the overall analysis.

 

Peer Review: Social work professionals in policy practice write policy analysis papers to guide important policy decisions. You would never present your analysis to a Senator, or your policy organization, without a team providing feedback, perspective, and sharing new ideas to shape your work. For this assignment, you will be building your capacity to review a colleague’s work and provide feedback that helps them advance their work. You will be assigned a peer review in Canvas. Using the course rubric, you will offer concrete feedback to your peer’s assignment. You are not their editor, but you are focused on the content and ideas presented for each area of the rubric. This is not a graded item, but part of the overall grade for Assignment 2. If your partner receives a lower grade on this assignment, the instructor may review your feedback to determine if it was thorough and beneficial. If upon review I determine it did not meet a reasonable expectation for review, it may adjust your final grade on the paper.

After receiving the feedback on your paper, you can critically evaluate the information provided by a colleague and determine if adjustments to your paper should be made before submitting the assignment for a final grade.

Assignment 3: Policy Brief and Advocacy Presentation

Putting it all together, you will share your policy brief (updated from any feedback or new insights from assignments #1 and #2) with a brief verbal presentation. Social workers are policy advocates, and this assignment will help you practice your skills of advocating and presenting to others on a policy position. Your aim is to present the important aspects of the bill you selected in Assignment #2 and persuade others to act based on your assessment and presentation. This is a visual issue brief that uses a combination of images, and simple statements that convey the key ideas. Your presentation should be 2-5 minutes maximum. Now that you are an expert on your policy issue, you decide what is the most important and compelling information to share. The only requirement is that your presentation must do the following:

            1). What is the action step you want others to do?

2). Your Policy Recommendation: You will tell the group about your specific policy selected for your analysis and be clear about why this policy will impact the social problem it is attempting to address.

Create a video and orally present your policy analysis and policy practice this semester and share your final policy issue brief.

1. Present a clear and concise overview of your policy analysis and policy practice without notes or note cards (rehearse, rehearse, rehearse).
2. Maintain audience engagement through eye contact with the audience, clear rate of speech, clarity of ideas.
3. Post the video recording of your presentation, along with the handout of your issue brief into your assigned discussion board group.
4. Field questions from the audience on the discussion board after sharing your video presentation.

Assignment 4: Weekly Quiz

Each module has a quiz that draws from content in the lecture and assigned readings.  Quizzes will be short answer style in Canvas. There are a total of 8 modules, with a quiz available in each module.  Your final grade will be calculated using your top 6 quiz scores.  The quiz is linked to each module and will open and close for the week the module is assigned.

Assignment 5: Discussion Boards

Each module has a discussion board. Students are expected to post their response to the posed question each week and engage and learn from each other by reviewing your peer's post and engaging/responding. Active participation is expected. Your original post and responses to your peers should be substantive, using course materials and other sources to help your conversations. Good posts do not just “agree or disagree” but should expand the conversation and add your own ideas.

Responses should be complete and clear and written in complete sentences. When appropriate, provide references. Discussions require you to post your contribution first, read the answers by your peers, and give at a minimum of 2 responses to other postings within the group. Also, you should monitor your own post for questions or comments posted to you.

In your communication with other students, please expand or clarify an important point or offer an additional argument to support a position. You may also disagree with a point. If you are disagreeing, please make sure your response is constructive and respectful. Analyze the issue but not the person making the post. Avoid sarcasm, swearing, or language that would be considered rude or argumentative.

There are 8 discussion board opportunities, one for each module. Your grade will reflect the quality of your original post and active participation in the board. If you consistently post at the end of the open time for the module, you should anticipate that will impact your grade in discussion boards. Your final grade will be calculated on your top 6 grade scores. You may elect a week of your choice to not participate in the discussion board or you may elect to participate in all the boards and drop your two lowest scores during grade calculation.

Course Policies

Communication

Excused absences are defined in the student codebook. Outside of the exceptions in the codebook, you are expected to attend every live class session and participate in the course weekly. This is a fast-paced course; students should expect to be engaged in the online learning environment multiple times during the week to engage fully in the learning experience. The lecture materials, videos, assigned readings, and discussions are central to your learning.

Your professional presence is required for each module and class session. This means you should come prepared to engage in and foster professional dialogue having read content relevant to the course. The classroom is considered a preparation for your role as a professional social worker. In the classroom, you are expected to treat colleagues with respect. Respect is defined in this class as using appropriate communication, and not engaging in disparaging, harassing, or bullying of any kind. This class will incorporate anti-oppressive practices that value dialogue over the debate, but we can only learn from examining issues from multiple perspectives. While you may respectfully disagree with your instructor and your peers, you may not disparage, gang-up on, or otherwise treat people with less than the utmost respect, or penalties will be enforced through relevant policies.

Late Policy

Assignments are due on the scheduled dates. Assignments not turned into Canvas on time will receive a reduction of 10% after 5 calendar days. If your assignment cannot be completed in the 5-day late window you should communicate immediately with the instructor. Requests for extensions for valid reasons must be made in an email to the instructor. If you have an unforeseen or extenuating circumstance that is making it difficult to complete work on time or attend course sessions, you should meet with your instructor and your academic advisor to discuss your options.  

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UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalogue.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Academic Misconduct

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook. 

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.

This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Disability Resource Center.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability.  Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Title IX Resources  

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. 

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Copyright Policy

It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.