Course Description
This is the first seminar course for Practicum Education. The weekly seminar course allows students to process their practicum experiences. This course is designed to integrate theory with practice, to gain information about community resources, to monitor student progress in the agency, and to process these experiences on practical, conceptual, and ethical levels. A strong emphasis is on engaging students to support one another's personal-professional growth in understanding their roles as leaders and change agents in the social work profession. Additionally, a fundamental understanding of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Code of Ethics will be integrated with course discussions. (2 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- SWK 101: Introduction to Social Work
- SWK 225: Human Behavior in the Social Environment 1
- SWK 226: Human Behavior in the Social Environment 2
- SWK 305: Direct Practice with Individuals/Couples (or permission of the Program Director)
- SWK 370: Social Work Practicum Experiences 1*
* May be taken concurrently.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Analyze ethical decisions made by applying the National Association of Social Worker Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics withing the profession as appropriate to the context.
- Evaluate professional behavior, appearance, and oral, written, and electronic communication.
- Apply technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.
- Review supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.
- Reflect on anti-racist and anti-oppressive social work practice at the individual, family, group, organizational, community, research, and policy levels.
- Manage cultural humility by applying critical reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation to manage the influence of biases, power, privilege, and values in working with clients and constituencies, acknowledging them as experts of their own lived experiences.
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 1-13) | 15% |
| Chapter Quizzes (Weeks 2-12) | 20% |
| Weekly Assignments (Weeks 2-13) | 20% |
| Client Role Play Presentation (Weeks 14 & 15) | 30% |
| Weekly Seminar Participation* (Weeks 1-15) | 15% |
Total | 100% |
*Weekly Seminar Participation is required from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday of each week via Blackboard Class Collaborate Ultra.
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Required Textbook
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Valerie Nash Chang, Carol L. Decker, Sheryn T. Scott (2023). Developing Helping Skills: A Step-by-Step Approach to Competency – with MindTap Access. 3rd ed.
Additional Resources
- Additional reading materials, assignments or activities can be determined by the Practicum Agency. For example, Agency training about documentation and client files.
Course Schedule
Week | PLOs | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,3 | 1-6 | Topic: Introduction to Social Work Seminar 1
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2 | 1,3 | 3,4,6 | Topic: Understanding Yourself and Others
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3 | 1,3 | 3,4,6 | Topic: Ways of Understanding and Perceiving Self and Others
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4 | 1,3 | 1-5 | Topic: Values, Ethics, and Legal Obligations
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5 | 1,3 | 1-6 | Topic: Professionalism and Professional Relationships
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6 | 1,3 | 1-6 | Topic: Developing Working Relationships
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7 | 1,3 | 1-6 | Topic: Foundational Interpersonal Skills
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8 | 1,3,6 | 2,3,4,6 | Topic: Beginning and Ending a Meeting
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9 | 1,3,6 | 2-6 | Topic: Demonstrating Active Listening
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10 | 1,3,6 | 2-6 | Topic: Using Questions
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11 | 1,3,6 | 2-6 | Topic: Exploring and Discovering
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12 | 1,3,6 | 2-6 | Topic: Assessing Readiness and Motivation
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13 | 1,3,6,7 | 1-6 | Topic: Review and Preparation for Presentations
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14 | 1,3,6,7 | 1-6 | Topic: Discussion of Client Role Play Presentations
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15 | 1,3,6,7 | 1-6 | Topic: Discussion of Client Role Play Presentations (Continued)
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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.