SWK 150: Foundations of Social Work Practice

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a strong foundation for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will be introduced to the core concepts of social work values and ethical principles, the multicultural perspective, and to the process of connecting social work theory and practice. Skills including problem-solving, interviewing, and case management will be presented through the Stages of Helping framework. Students will also engage in critical self-exploration to identify how their values, beliefs, and experiences impact practice. Social worker self-care is reviewed. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • SWK 101: Introduction to Social Work

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Identify and apply the stages of the helping process with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
  2. Understand and explore how personal beliefs, values and experiences inform social work practice.
  3. Understand the reciprocal relationship between social work theory and practice.
  4. Understand and apply the components of the multicultural perspective.
  5. Recognize and effectively manage work-related stress, burnout, and engage in self-care.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) / Competencies

  1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  5. Engage in Policy Practice
  6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-7)

25%

Quizzes (Weeks 2, 4 and 6)

20%

Writing Assignments (Weeks 3 and 7)

40%

Final Exam (Week 8)

15%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

The Charter Oak Book Bundle provides all undergraduate and graduate students with access to required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and electronic book versions in a convenient bundle before the first day of class—often at discounted prices.

Through a partnership with Barnes & Noble, the Book Bundle allows students to obtain required course materials for all classes for a per-credit fee, regardless of the individual cost of each textbook or digital access. Rather than purchasing materials separately, the rental cost is added to the student's account along with tuition. Digital materials are automatically added to students' Blackboard courses. For courses requiring physical textbooks, books will be shipped to students' homes at no additional charge.

The Social Work Program has partnered with Cengage to provide all e-texts, MindTap activities, and other resources through the Cengage Unlimited Subscription. You can access this resource through the Charter Oak Book Bundle. 

The textbook used for this course obtained through Cengage Unlimited is:

  • Corey, M. & Corey, G., Becoming a Helper - MindTap access. 8th ed. Cengage, 2021.

Additional Resources

Course Schedule

Week

PLOs

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2

1,2,3,5

Topic: Social Work: A Helping Profession

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 1 and 2
  • Videos:
    • This Could Be You: The Many Faces of Social Work
    • Eight Stages of Development by Erik Erikson
  • Other:
    • Complete the Self-Assessment Inventory – Chapter 1
  • Review Getting Started information in Blackboard
  • Review course syllabus
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review assigned videos and other materials
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions

2

1,2,3

1-5

Topics: Diversity, Values, and the Multicultural Perspective

  • Readings: 
    • Chapters 3 and 4
  • Article:
    • What About Social Justice? Confronting Race-Based Trauma
  • Podcast:
    • Ethics with Dawn Hobdy
  • Read assigned chapters and article
  • Listen to assigned podcast
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Quiz: Weeks 1 & 2
  • Begin work on Week 3 - Written Assignment: Part I, due in Week 3

3

6,7,8

1,2,3

Topic: Beginning Helpers and the Helping Process

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 5 and 6
  • Articles:
    • But What Should I Say Next? Five Tips for Social Workers
    • Revisiting the Stages of Change: What Do Social Workers Need to Know?
  • Read assigned chapters and articles
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Week 3 – Written Assignment: Part I

4

1,2,3,6

1-5

Topic: Social Work with Families

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 8 and 9
  • Articles:
    • When Ethics Standards Collide
    • Boundary Issues in Social Work: Managing Dual Relationships
  • Video:
    • Duty to Warn Versus Duty to Protect: Tarasoff Case
  • Other:
    • NASW Code of Ethics
  • Read assigned chapters and articles
  • Review assigned video
  • Review NASW Code of Ethics
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Quiz: Weeks 3 & 4

5

1,6,7,8

1,2,3

Topics: Theory, Practice, and Fieldwork

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 7 and 10
  • Articles:
    • What is Solution Focused Social Work Practice?
    • Social Work Theory and Application to Practice: The Students’ Perspectives
    • How My Field Placement Showed Me Why I Wanted to be a Social Worker
  • Read assigned chapters and articles
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions

6

6,7,8,9

1,2,3,4

Topics: Group Work

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 11
  • Video:
    • Conducting Therapy in Groups - GROUP COUNSELLING VIDEO #3
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the assigned video
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Quiz: Weeks 5 & 6
  • Begin work on the Week 7 – Written Assignment: Part  II, due in Week 7

7

2,3,6,7,8

1,2,3,4

Topic: Community Work

  • Readings: 
    • Chapter 12
  • Articles:
    • The Role of Activism in Social Work
    • The Time is Right for Advocating Alongside Trans and Gender Nonconforming Communities
    • Becoming a Community Social Worker
  • Video:
    • A Day in the Life of a Community Social Worker
  • Read assigned chapter and articles
  • Review the assigned video
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Submit the Week 7 – Written Assignment: Part II

8

1,2,3,6,7,8,9

1-5

Topics: Self Care

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 13
  • Articles:
    • NASW Code of Ethics, Section 4: Social Workers Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals
    • Mindfulness: 10 Lessons in Self Care for Social Workers
  • Video:
    • 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation
  • Read assigned chapters and additional materials
  • Read assigned chapter and articles
  • Review assigned video
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Complete Week 8 - Final Exam
  • Complete Course Evaluation

Final Exam

Chapters 1-13

SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

 

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.