Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
This course integrates core social work curriculum knowledge for applying critical thinking to decision making. Using theory and evidence-informed interventions, students will connect classroom and field practicum learning using a peer-supported format. The course challenges students to engage in personal reflection and self-correction in order to arrive at sound professional practice decisions.
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Students taking this course must be enrolled in the online MSW Program and have a graduate standing.
Course Materials
There is no required textbook for this course. However, the following materials are required.
The most recent APA Style Manual 7th Ed. (2020) is required for every course in the Online Masters of Social Work Program. The current manual is hyperlinked above.
This is the link to NASW Social Work Code of Ethics.
Citation: Franklin, L.D., Kratz, J.R., & Gray, K.A. (2019). Next steps: decision cases for social work practice. New York: Taylor & Francis.
ISBN Information: 978-1-138-49984-3 (Hardback); 978-1-138-4998 -5 (Paperback); 978-1-351-01395-6 (Electronic)
Additional required supplemental materials such as articles, podcasts, and videos are posted to Canvas in the Required Resources page for each week. Scanned chapters are from the text below:
Citation: Corey, G. (2015). Theory & Practice of Group Counseling 9th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
ISBN: 975-1-305-08801-6
Chapter 4: Early Stages in Development of a Group
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- This chapter is about a therapeutic group at MSW level, formation, resistance, creating the stage for people to utilize each other symbolically.
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Chapter 5: Later Stages in the Development of a Group
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- This chapter covers cohesion, working with therapeutic issues in a group, and termination.
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Grades
Breakdown
| Assignment | Description | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Case Analyses | x4 | 48% of total course grade (12% each) |
| Feedback | x3 | 21% of total course grade (7% each) |
| Draft | x1 | 3% of total course grade |
| Participation |
|
28% of total course grade |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| 90-100 | A |
| 80-89.9 | B |
| 70-79.9 | C |
| 60-69.9 | D |
| <60 | F |
Course Components
Case Analyses
The case method engages students in class discussions centered on the in-depth analysis of social work cases. The cases involve a variety of problems and dilemmas at various system levels. Each case reports the actual experience of a social work professional, often one who is relatively new to the profession.
Using a rotating schedule, students will submit written case analyses for each weekly case. These analyses should be written as executive summaries. Executive summaries are designed for a decision-maker who needs understanding of an issue, an analysis of key issues and recommendations, but without extensive detail. Executive summaries are often the first few pages of a more comprehensive analysis. For the purposes of this class, these executive summaries should not exceed 4 pages. The executive summary format is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of all possible alternatives but rather a concise, focused summary with the alternatives only mentioned to insure they receive consideration. In general, any issue, no matter how complex, can be summarized in this fashion if the case is reduced to its most essential elements.
Feedback
Students engage in a process of exchanging papers to provide meaningful feedback to their peers.
Draft
This initial draft helps solidify some components of case analysis writing.
Participation
Live sessions, Discussion Boards, and Additional Activities help enhance learning.
Course Policies
Communication
A permanent discussion board will be available in Canvas for general questions about the class and assignments. Please check this discussion board for answers to frequent questions and consider posting your inquiry to the board if your question is something you are comfortable sharing with your peers. I will primarily communicate with the class via Canvas announcements, so please adjust your Canvas notification preferences so you don’t miss any important announcements. Instructions for managing Canvas notifications can be found at this link. Please reserve email correspondence for questions you are uncomfortable sharing with your classmates.
Late Policy
Assignments should be turned in when they are due, electronically on Canvas, by the beginning of the class. Late papers WILL NOT be accepted at all on the case analysis or feedback assignments and no extensions will be granted. Any other late assignments will be reduced by 10% for each day they are late and will not be accepted at all after 3 days. Extensions are granted only in emergencies and on a case by case basis. Extensions will not be granted after the paper’s due date has passed.
Attendance Policy
Graduate students are adult learners, indicating a willingness to attend all classes and actively participate. Students should have read the assigned material prior to class and be prepared to discuss it and apply it to issues related to the practice of social work.
Arriving late or leaving early, or missing classes severely detracts from the learning process. This class in particular depends on student discussion. I may reduce your grade for missing classes. Missing more than 25% of the class time may result in a failing grade as it indicates you did not receive enough classroom time for me to agree in good conscience that you completed the course. I do understand that illnesses and emergencies occur, but it also stands to reason that missing class could affect grades. Good communication is key for helping me understand your situation and discuss attendance with you.
Academic Integrity Within This Seminar Course
This course is a little different in that you are asked to exchange papers and collaborate in discussions. However, you will ONLY exchange papers with students who are not writing the same case analysis. I urge you to NOT look at the written work of other students writing the same case analysis as you as it will greatly stifle your own idea generation. Additionally, it is difficult to write in a way that shows your unique work if you have read the work of another person. You may decide that speaking verbally about the cases with other case writers is helpful for you, but just keep your written work to yourself and your feedback partner, please.
For most assignments, your work will be analyzed by a software program called Turnitin. This program identifies portions of text in your work that are duplicated in other existing sources. This does not necessarily mean that a person has plagiarized the work as it could be cited appropriately, but it is a useful tool to identify these types of issues.
You also can utilize this program to check your own work. If you turn in your work to the dropbox early, you can view the Turnitin report, make changes, and then replace the document with an updated one by the due date. I encourage you to utilize this tool to not only check yourself for plagiarism, but also to identify if you are over utilizing other sources instead of your own thinking.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
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.
Diversity Statement
The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person's unique contributions, background and perspective. The University of Oklahoma recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty and staff and for the communities we engage.
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations.
Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual based on the individual’s race, color, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age (40 or older), sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides. For more information, please contact the Institutional Equity Office.
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 Accessibility and 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 Accessibility and 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 Title IX Office at 405-325-2215 (8–5, M–F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays. 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.
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.
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 their 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.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|