Course Syllabus
Instructor Contact Information
Lead Faculty Information
This course was designed by Professors Gena Roberts-Massey and Raina Leckie. There are numerous sections of this course with varying faculty. This course may contain videos and content designed by another faculty to be used by all sections of this course.
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Graduate standing and enrollment in the online MSW program
Course Materials
- Gehlert, S. & Browne, T. (Eds.) (2019) Handbook of Health Social Work, (3rd ed.). Jossey Bass.
- National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics for Social Workers (most recent version)
- The most recent APA manual is required in every Social Work course. The current manual (7th edition, 2019)
- Additional readings will be pulled from multiple sources and linked in the "RESOURCES" section of each course module
Social Work Competencies and Practice Behaviors Assessed
| Competencies | Course Content |
Dimensions(s) |
|---|---|---|
|
Competency 1: Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior |
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Competency 2: Engage in diversity and difference practice |
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Competency 3: Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
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| Competency 4: Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice |
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| Competency 5: Engage with individuals |
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Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Policy Paper |
|
25% |
| Decision Case Paper |
|
25% |
| Simulation |
|
25% |
| Participation |
|
25% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Health Policy Paper
The purpose of this assignment is to further develop your understanding of the healthcare delivery system & factors (social & political) that impact our healthcare system.
Decision Case Paper
The purpose of this assignment is the application of cross-cultural knowledge of NASW Standards of conduct in juxtaposition with workers' compensation statutes, alongside the evaluation of a myriad of factors and interventions including, but not limited to, critical thinking, problem-solving, religious and spiritual traditions and rituals as methods of healing. Furthermore, this assignment allows for the demonstration of cross-cultural skills in the delivery of social work services within the hospital setting.
Simulation
Paid actors playing the role of a patient will give pertinent feedback to students in a safe space. Your one-hour simulation will take place via Zoom and will include a guided reflection in small groups, also via Zoom.
Participation
The participation grade will include the weekly Discussion Board prompts, occasional, shorter Reflection assignments, and attendance and engagement in two Live Sessions. Our Discussion Boards provide space for a low-pressure exchange of ideas, similar to an in-person classroom conversation. Some posts may require analysis & synthesis and the use of professional writing with supporting evidence. We will have one Live Session featuring an industry round-table with professionals in the field.
Course Policies
Communication
Students should use their OU e-mail or Canvas to communicate with the instructor. They can expect a response usually within 48 hours Monday-Friday. For any reason communication will be delayed beyond that, it will be communicated to the students in advance. Professional communication is an expectation.
Feedback
Students can expect feedback and grades on their activities and assignments within two weeks. Any exceptions to that will be communicated by the instructor in advance.
Late Policy
Assignments should be turned in when they are due, electronically on Canvas by the stated time. Late submissions 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 must be arranged in advance and will not be granted after the due date has passed. Communicating your needs in a manner suitable for the workplace is also a part of the professionalism competency.
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.
Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act Statement (HIPAA)
In line with the new HIPPA regulations concerning protected health information, it is important that you understand that any client information that you share, either verbally or written, will need to be de-identified. This means that any information that would allow another to identify the person needs to be changed or eliminated. This includes obvious things like names and birth dates but may also contain other information that is so unique to the person that it could allow for identification, including, but not limited to diagnosis, race/ethnicity, or gender. If diagnosis, race/ethnicity, or gender is directly related to the case presentation, it can be included if it will not allow for identification.
School of Social Work Anti-Racism Statement
“The 2022 Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) affirms and strengthens the enduring commitment of social work education to principles of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The 2022 EPAS supports social work programs in developing a workforce of social workers who are knowledgeable about the ways positionality, power, privilege, and difference affect practice areas, and how social workers challenge systems of oppression that affect diverse populations.” - Excerpt taken from the CSWE Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
In brief, "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." - Excerpt taken from the OU Land Acknowledgement Statement
Students are encouraged to explore where they live to identify those Tribal and Indigenous people whose lands are being occupied due to colonialist oppression.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, the privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. 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.
Academic honesty is incredibly important in this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report 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.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they can enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability or a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
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. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Institutional Equity Office (M-F, from 8-5, at 405-325-3546) or OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013).
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 your instructor 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.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
All OU online students have access to 24/7/365 mental health counseling and support through TELUS Health.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|