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:
- Identify and apply the stages of the helping process with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
- Understand and explore how personal beliefs, values and experiences inform social work practice.
- Understand the reciprocal relationship between social work theory and practice.
- Understand and apply the components of the multicultural perspective.
- Recognize and effectively manage work-related stress, burnout, and engage in self-care.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) / Competencies
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
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
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2 | 1,2,3 | 1-5 | Topics: Diversity, Values, and the Multicultural Perspective
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3 | 6,7,8 | 1,2,3 | Topic: Beginning Helpers and the Helping Process
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4 | 1,2,3,6 | 1-5 | Topic: Social Work with Families
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5 | 1,6,7,8 | 1,2,3 | Topics: Theory, Practice, and Fieldwork
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6 | 6,7,8,9 | 1,2,3,4 | Topics: Group Work
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7 | 2,3,6,7,8 | 1,2,3,4 | Topic: Community Work
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8 | 1,2,3,6,7,8,9 | 1-5 | Topics: Self Care
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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.