Sowk 693 Syllabus
Sowk 693 Syllabus
Sowk 693 Syllabus
Catalog Course Description: Field education is the signature pedagogy for social work education. MSW students
complete their field placement practicums at social service agencies within their geographic area. Field placement
practicums allow student practitioners the opportunity to build, apply, and integrate classroom training and
evidence-based interventions within a practice setting. As Brandman MSW students gain direct practice experience
working with diverse populations, they also help to strengthen opportunities, resources, and capacity for local
agencies that provide direct services for vulnerable families and communities.
Practicum Seminar I is the first in a sequence of four, that integrates student learning and application of social
work advanced generalist practice knowledge, skills and values within the context of an agency specific
experience.
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Prerequisites: Advanced Standing status or successful completion of all 500-level MSW required courses;
successful completion of all advanced fieldwork application requirements listed in the catalog; and permission of
Director of Field or MSW Assistant Director of Field Education.
Essential Equipment and Facilities: By the end of the first week of class, students must have the ability to
access MyBrandman, the Blackboard portal to their class site, and other key locations necessary to meet course
requirements. Individual browser preferences vary, and, at times, some work with Blackboard better than others.
Therefore, if you try one browser, such as Firefox, and you have difficulty, try another browser, such as Internet
Explorer. Since versions of Microsoft Office vary, students who do not use the most recent version may need the
free conversion software available via the Microsoft.com website. Java is also required for courses. Students who
do not have Java may download it for free at java.com.
Academic Integrity: As a learning community of scholars, Brandman University emphasizes the ethical
responsibility of all members to seek knowledge honestly and in good faith. Students are responsible for doing
their own work. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Violations of academic integrity include,
but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or misrepresentation of information in oral or written form. Plagiarism
means presenting someone else's idea or writing as if it were your own. If you use someone else's idea or writing,
be sure the source is clearly documented. Further information may be found in the Brandman University Catalog
available under Academic Resources in MyBrandman.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, an
individual with disability is defined as having functional limitations resulting from a diagnosed disability and
applies to an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the
individual’s major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.
In compliance with ADA guidelines, students who have any condition, either permanent or temporary, that may
impair or impact their ability to successfully complete assignments, tasks or satisfy course criteria are requested to
notify their Advisor or Campus Director in order to understand how to apply for Student Disability Services. If and
when the student is granted formal approval by the Director of ADA Services, both the student and professor will
be notified. It is highly suggested that the student contact their professor to discuss the accommodations during the
first week of the session. The granting of accommodations will not be retroactive and cannot jeopardize the
academic standards or integrity of the course.
University Policies: Students are responsible for complying with university policies including, but not limited to:
incompletes, course drops, and student conduct. Information may be found in the Brandman University Catalog
available under Academic Resources in MyBrandman.
Online Brandman Library Resources: Click on “Library” menu item on the left side of your Blackboard course.
Texts are available at the Brandman Online Bookstore: See “Bookstore” under Academic Resources in
MyBrandman.
1. Ethical practice
2. Assessment and Intervention
3. Diversity and practice
4. Human rights and social justice
5. Evidence based practice
6. Policy practice and advocacy
7. Evaluation of practice
Instructional Strategies: This class includes readings, textual and video instruction, exercises, discussions, and
projects. Instructional Strategies may be further explained in the course Blackboard site.
Attendance Policy
Requirements for students’ attendance and participation will be defined by each instructor based on the following
policy:
• Monday of the first week is considered the first day of class for online and blended instruction. This includes
instruction for fully online classes and online instruction supporting blended classes.
• Regular onsite attendance is expected for student success. If a student misses more than one onsite class or
one week of engagement in an online class, the student may, at the discretion of the instructor, fail the course.
Students are expected to attend all classes, particularly the first night of class.
• For practicum hours submissions, the week is calculated starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday as one
week. Regular weekly submission of practicum hours is expected for student success.
• Students should consider withdrawing from a course if they will be absent more than once. Instructors may,
but are not obligated to, accommodate students under extraordinary circumstances, but the student must
request accommodation and provide requested supporting documentation. Students enrolled in blended
courses must attend at least one class during the first two weeks of classes.
• If a student misses a portion (e.g., arriving late or leaving early) of an onsite course, the student’s grade may
be adversely affected. Students who are not in attendance for at least 75 percent of any scheduled class may be
considered absent for that class. Students should discuss missing portions of a class with their instructor to
determine how their grade may be affected.
• Schools and programs may have different attendance policies. Refer to school and program specific
information for additional attendance policies.
Methods of Evaluation for Determining Grades: Discussion boards; reflection activity; signature
assignments; process recording
DISCUSSION BOARDS - Bi-weekly Discussion Boards: After completion of readings and video content each
week, students will answer discussion questions every other week. The discussion will be a student led discussion
based on the reading and video content for the week. Students will independently critically analyze and respond to
the discussion board questions and respond to peer submissions.
READINGS - Students are expected to complete all readings by the due dates listed in the course outline. The
discussion boards cover material contained in the readings. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the
reading and ask questions that arise about the readings.
SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT - The signature assignment is the major assignment and carries the most weight
regarding the grade for this course. The signature assignment is a case vignette scenario where the student is
required to utilize advanced engagement and assessment skills in completing the assignment.
CRITICAL REFLECTION WRITING ASSIGNMENT - There are two required critical reflections which
require students to examine, assess, evaluate and summarize content from one of the assigned writings or videos.
Students provide their perspective of the writings, their agreement or disagreement, their synopsis of the content
and personal impact of the content. There is one optional critical assessment due Week 7, which is extra credit and
worth 10 points.
PROCESS RECORDING - Students complete one process recording either through direct interview or direct
observation of a client to complete this assignment
VIDEO BLOG - Students complete and submit a video blog highlighting their perspectives on advanced practice
during weeks one and eight of the academic session. Students will have opportunity to provide input and feedback
on each other’s video blogs.
Critical Reflection Writing Activity (2 at 25 points each; one Weeks 2, 4 (*week 7 50 points
optional, extra credit opportunity in week 7) is optional and for 10
points extra credit)
Total: 300
Videos:
● Ethics Excerpt 1
● Ethics Excerpt 2
● Ethics Excerpt 3
Assignment Due:
Discussion Board
Video Blog #1
Preparation:
Review Signature Assignment Components
Videos:
● Cultural Competency: Managing Your Prejudices
● Cultural Competency: Managing Your Prejudices, #7
Assignment Due:
Critical Reflection Writing Activity
Preparation:
Work on Signature Assignment Component 1
Recommended Reading:
● Financial Capability and Asset Building: Building Evidence for
Community Practice.
● Financial Capability and Asset Building in Social Work Education.
Videos:
● Working for Social Justice
● Education for Social Change
Assignment Due:
Discussion Board
Preparation:
Work on Signature Assignment Component 2
Recommended Readings:
● Evidence-Based Practice and Social Work Education: A View
From Washington.
Videos:
● Evidenced Based Practices for Counselor and Social Workers.
● Evidenced-based Practice
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dzkS0ioqqw
Assignment Due:
Critical Reflection Writing Activity
Preparation:
Assignment Due:
● Discussion Board
● Process Recording Assignment
Preparation/Reminder:
● Work on Signature Assignment Component 4
● *Mid-term Evaluation with Instructor
Recommended Reading:
● Connecting with Clients.
http://ct.counseling.org/2014/08/connecting-with-clients/
Assignment Due:
Discussion Board
Preparation:
Work on Signature Assignment Component 5
●
● Outcomes of Social Work Intervention in the Context of Evidence-
based Practice.
http://journals.sagepub.com.libproxy.chapman.edu/doi/pdf/10.117
7/1468017310381309
Videos:
●
● Hospital Social Work - Crisis intervention with Mr. Olsen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoguNvbpyaY
Assignment Due:
● Signature Assignment
● *Critical Reflection Writing Activity (Optional: 10 extra credit
points)
Video:
Understanding Program Outcomes: How to Set Up and Measure the
Things that matter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrtnjNgQ4qA
Assignment Due:
Discussion Board
Reflective Practitioner Video Blog #2