Beruflich Dokumente
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Introduction to
Social Work Profession and
Social Welfare
An Independent Learning Course
Course Developer and Instructor
Nicole M. Cavanagh, LISW‐CP
©The University of South Carolina
Distance Education [15]
2009
7/2/09
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Independent Learning
University of South Carolina
For information concerning this and other independent learning courses, call
800-922-2577
(toll-free nationwide)
COURSE SUMMARY
Course Number: SOWK C201 [01]
Course Title: Introduction to Social Work Profession and Social Welfare
Course Instructor: Nicole M. Cavanagh, LISW-CP
Course Developer: Nicole M. Cavanagh, LISW-CP
Credit Hours: 3 semester hours
Assignments: 15 (60 percent of the final grade)
Exams: 1 final exam (40 percent of the final grade)
NOTE: YOU MUST PASS THE FINAL EXAM TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE
Course Description: This course introduces the social work profession and its
mission, purposes, principles, and values. Components of generalist practice
with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations are reviewed.
Administrative Questions
All questions concerning course work, fees, examinations, grades, workbooks or other materials, or credits
should be directed to the Independent Learning office. Instructors are not available to answer any
administrative questions pertaining to the Independent Learning program. When such questions are received by
the instructor, they are referred to the Independent Learning office. Send questions about administrative issues
by e‐mail to the Independent Learning coordinator at utsquest@mailbox.sc.edu or call 803‐777‐7210 or 800‐
922‐2577 toll free.
Ordering Textbooks
Your materials must be ordered within two weeks of enrollment or availability cannot be guaranteed.
Independent learning courses sometimes utilize textbooks with limited availability and we cannot guarantee
those materials will be available throughout the 12 months of your enrollment. Order your course materials as
soon as possible after your course enrollment begins. Course materials can be ordered online or by telephone
(toll free at 1‐800‐325‐3252) from MBS Direct (http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/univsccol.htm).
Course Work Questions
If there are questions concerning the content of a course, write a note to the instructor and include it with an
assignment or contact the instructor by e‐mail at nickcava@mailbox.sc.edu. In most cases, the instructor checks
e‐mail on a daily basis, so you should have a response within 1‐2 business days. It is important for the student to
correspond with the instructor if she is uncertain about a particular assignment. However, instructors of
independent learning courses are not expected to tutor students.
Submitting Assignments
Assignments may be submitted for grading by e‐mail, fax, or by mail. If you mail your assignment, please retain a
copy of it in case of loss in transit. Coversheets are required with each assignment and are available on
Blackboard or by e‐mail. If a student is taking the course in a correspondence mode rather than online, blank
coversheets will be provided. Assignments are returned by mail. The coversheet serves as the address label for
the returned assignment; provide a complete and legible mailing address for the return of your graded
assignment.
The material in this course is equivalent to a semester of work on campus. To receive full educational benefits,
do not send an assignment until the previous assignment has been graded and returned. A student may not turn
in more than 20 percent of the total assignments in a seven‐day period in any one course. (For most courses this
equates to no more than three assignments per week.) An entire course may not be turned in for grading at one
time. If all assignments are received at one time, the Independent Learning office will only forward two per
week to the instructor for grading. A student should begin the course immediately after receiving the course
materials and send the assignments at regular intervals.
If a student chooses to mail assignments, pre‐addressed envelopes will be provided. If a student chooses to send
assignments by e‐mail, instructions will be sent by e‐mail describing the entire process. Fax assignments with a
completed coversheet to 803‐777‐6264 or 803‐777‐0790. All assignments must be sent to USC Independent
Learning. The Independent Learning office cannot be responsible for assignments or materials sent directly to
the instructor. Keep a copy of all assignments sent for grading.
E‐mail assignments to utsassin@mailbox.sc.edu, or mail them to:
USC DISTANCE EDUCATION
PO BOX 2346
COLUMBIA, SC 29202‐2346
COURSE SYLLABUS
Introduction to Social Work: SOWK C201
This course is an introduction level course offered in the College of Social Work at the University of South
Carolina. Social Work 201 and 221 are prerequisites for all 300, 400, and 500 level social work courses. Social
Work 201 and 221 also are part of the core course requirement for Bachelor’s of Social Work and Social Work
minor degrees offered by the College of Social Work.
Meet Your Instructor
Nicole M. Cavanagh, LISW‐CP, holds a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Science from the University of South
Carolina, special concentration in psychology. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the
University of South Carolina and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Social Work. Nicole joined the Social Work
faculty in 2002 as an adjunct professor while serving as the Program Director for the Structured Out‐Patient
Program in Newberry, South Carolina. She currently is working as a full‐time Instructor/BSW Field Coordinator
for the College of Social Work at USC. She has over 15 years experience working as a social worker, specifically
with the adult and geriatric population.
Course Description
This social work course introduces students to the history of the social work profession and social welfare in the
United States. Students learn to understand the grounding principles, values, concepts, and terminology of the
social work profession and social welfare through the eyes of a generalist practitioner who facilitates planned
change processes across systems involved with alleviating social problems and providing social services.
Students learn the NASW Code of Ethics, guiding principles and values, and practice settings as it pertains to
generalist social work that builds on strengths and social justice.
Upon successful completion of SOWK C201, the student will have earned three semester hours of credit. The
instructor for the course is Nicole M. Cavanagh, Instructor/BSW Field Coordinator, College of Social Work,
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208. Telephone: 803‐777‐0433. E‐mail: nickcava@mailbox.sc.edu
COURSE OUTLINE
PART I: Profession of Social Work
Unit One: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare (Chapter 1)
• Assignment 1
Unit Two: Social Work Values and Ethics (Chapter 2)
• Assignment 2
Unit Three: Empowerment and Human Diversity (Chapter 3)
• Assignment 3
PART II: Social Work Practice
Unit Four: The Process of Generalist Practice (Chapter 4)
• Assignment 4
Unit Five: Practice Settings (Chapter 5)
• Assignment 5
Part III: Social Welfare Policy
Unit Six: An Overview of Social Welfare and Social Work History (Chapter 6)
• Assignment 6
Unit Seven: Policy, Policy Analysis, and Policy Advocacy: Foundations for Service Provision (Chapter 7)
• Assignment 7
Unit Eight: Policies and Programs to Combat Poverty (Chapter 8)
• Assignment 8
Part IV: Client Populations and Contexts
Unit Nine: Social Work and Services for Children and Families (Chapter 9)
• Assignment 9
Unit Ten: Social Work and Services for the Elderly (Chapter 10)
• Assignment 10
Unit Eleven: Social Work and Services for People with Disabilities (Chapter 11)
• Assignment 11
Unit Twelve: Social Work and Services in Health Care (Chapter 12)
• Assignment 12
Unit Thirteen: Social Work and Services Mental Health (Chapter 13)
• Assignment 13
Unit Fourteen: Social Work and Services for Youths in the Schools (Chapter 14)
• Assignment 14
Unit Fifteen: Social Work and Services in the Criminal Justice System (Chapter 15)
• Assignment 15
Recommended Study Procedures
This course is divided into 15 assignments. Each assignment will take an average of 3 hours.
The best way to do the assignments is to set aside a specific time each day for studying. This may be early in the
morning before going to work, or it may be in the evening. For many students, the weekend is the best time to
do the assignments.
Preparatory to beginning your work, find a quiet place and, preferably, be seated at a desk. The following steps
should improve your efficiency in studying:
• Read the instructor’s commentary and glance over the written assignment.
• Preview the reading assignment noting the major headings and the italicized words. This means flipping
through the assignment.
• Read the entire assignment without marking any key passages.
• Go back and study the important parts. Make a check in the margin or in the text by important
concepts. (Note that the verbs “read” and “study” are not synonymous.)
• Now answer each question in your assignment completely and thoroughly. Do not “over‐answer”
questions or copy passages directly from the text. The emphasis is on learning, not copying. Include
diagrams every chance you get. Correctly label them. Then use them as part of your answer.
Your graded assignment will be returned promptly. An overall grade will be given to each assignment. The
grade will conform to the present grading system of The University of South Carolina. Only A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D,
F, and I (Incomplete) will be used. After passing the final examination, you will receive a final grade for the
course. In the determination of your final grade, the weights are as follows: 15 assignments = 60 percent; final
exam = 40 percent. You must pass the exam to pass the course.
The final exam consists of 50 questions. The questions will ask you to define terms and explain and discuss
concepts.
To prepare for the final examination, review and study the portions that you checked in the text. Then, study
each of your written assignments because virtually all of the major points in the course are covered by these
assignments.