Course Syllabus
Instructor Contact Information
Lead Faculty Information
This course was designed by Dr. Chan Hellman. 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
The only prerequisite is graduate standing.
Course Materials
- There is no required textbook for this course. All readings and other materials will be provided on the "Resources" page in each module.
- A few chapters from Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life will be required, but those chapters will be provided in the respective modules and you are not required to purchase the entire book. OU Libraries has purchased unlimited eBook access to the entire book. You will be prompted to sign in with your OU 4x4 credentials.
Course Format
This course is divided into 8 modules, and students will have 2 weeks to complete each module.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Infographic | 20% |
| Self-Care Plan | 20% |
| Nurturing Hope | 25% |
| Other Module Assignments | 15% |
| Discussions/Quizzes | 10% |
| Participation and Peer Review | 10% |
| 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Infographic
In this assignment, you will create a one-page (front and back) infographic document that captures "hope" in the context of trauma and adversity. An effective infographic can help break down complex information to convey in a way that helps the audience digest and understand easily and in a visually pleasing format.
Self-Care Plan
You will create a Hope-Centered Self-Care Plan for your program/organization. Ideally, this should be something that can be used in a real-world setting, however, the program/organization can be hypothetical if needed.
Nurturing Hope
For this assignment, you will create an interview guide that includes goal setting, pathways identification and selection, and willpower strategies.
Additional Module Assignments
Beyond the major assignments listed above, there are additional module assignments intended as building blocks for practicing the application of skills and concepts related to the topics of each respective module.
Discussions/Quizzes
Some modules will have discussion boards where you will integrate new knowledge with existing knowledge and apply that knowledge to a prompt/scenario. Some posts will also encourage/require analysis & synthesis and use of professional writing with supporting evidence. There are also a couple of quizzes intended to ensure that you have the foundational knowledge and/or component skills. Each quiz will have a mix of multiple-choice and true/false questions. There is no time limit, and students will have only two attempts. Open book and open notes are allowed.
Course Policies
Communication
If you have any general questions about assignments, class logistics, due dates, etc., please post a question in the Course Help Board in the Start Here Module. You can post questions about the course to the Course Help Board throughout the semester. Your classmates may be able to answer your questions.
For any other questions, 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. 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
It is expected that all assignments should be turned in by their assigned due date, electronically via Canvas. Many assignments have a peer review component and a late submission will impact others in the class beyond yourself. In the event of an emergency, please contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss options.
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.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in the MSW Program
Unless otherwise specified by a professor for a course or assignment, the following AI policy applies across the program:
Positive Uses (not considered academic misconduct):
AI should be a “cleat” to enhance effort, not a “crutch” to replace effort.
- Prioritize original thought; use AI as a learning tool: The core objective of graduate education is to develop analytical thinking and communication skills. AI tools should supplement, not replace, your intellectual effort. For example, consider using AI as a “devil’s advocate,” “critical advisor,” or “red team” to identify potential weaknesses in your writing or arguments so that those weaknesses can be remedied through original work.
- Prepare for real-world AI integration: Graduate-level work often involves complex problem-solving and generating novel insights. Consider experimenting with AI use effectively and ethically, which may benefit your current and future career. For example, using AI to edit the clarity and flow of your original work draft is (usually) acceptable.
Prohibited Uses (considered academic misconduct):
Results in sanctions, including dismissal from the program.
- Fake references. You may not submit fabricated sources. All submitted references will be checked by professors who are deeply familiar with the leadership and behavioral sciences literature. The submission of any fabricated source or reference (so-called AI “hallucinations”) is academic misconduct and will result in sanctions.
- Plagiarism. You may not submit AI-generated content as your own original work. This prohibition includes summaries, discussion posts, essays, reports, or any other assignment where the primary intellectual effort is expected from the student. Students must give credit to large language models whenever they are used, even if only to generate ideas rather than usable text. For disclosure guidance on the use of AI, please refer to APA Journals Policy on Generative AI
- Cheating on quizzes and exams. You may not use AI tools to generate answers for quizzes, exams, or other assessments where independent thought and direct knowledge recall are expected.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|