Tolleson-Knee, Tammy

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University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana University of Montana Course Syllabi Open Educational Resources (OER) Fall 9-1-2008 SW 488.02: Field Work Practicum Seminar Tammy Tolleson-Knee University of Montana, Missoula Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Tolleson-Knee, Tammy, "SW 488.02: Field Work Practicum Seminar" (2008). University of Montana Course Syllabi. 12048. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/12048 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Open Educational Resources (OER) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Montana Course Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu.                                                                                                                                            THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA   SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK   SW 488 PRACTICUM SEMINAR FALL SEMESTER 2008 Instructor: Tammy Tolleson KneeAvailable Hours: M, TH 1-5 & by appointmentTelephone: Home: 721-6416Classroom: Liberal Arts, rm. 201Time: 3:10-5:00pmCredits: 2E-mail: tollesonknee@yahoo.comCOURSE DESCRIPTION The purpose of this seminar is to enhance the 450-hour social work practicumexperience by facilitating the integration of prior classroom learning and actualsocial work practice. Students will gain an understanding of the roles of the socialworker in various agency settings and come to better understand the meaning ofprofessionalism, the change process, social policy, diversity and professional ethics.This seminar also provides students with an opportunity to further develop theircommunication skills. Most of the topics to be discussed are related to thequestions on the UM School of Social Work Competency Examination. Thus, this seminar will also assist the students in preparing their competency exam paper.Classes meet every week.RELATION TO OTHER COURSES The Practicum Seminar builds on all the core social work courses and theknowledge, values, and skills learned therein. Its overall purpose is to preparestudents for generalist practice. Students will also develop their competency exams based on information learned in these core courses and the translation ofthis information into practice in their practicum placement.PROGRAM OBJECTIVES RELATED TO THE COURSE The following Program Objectives will be met in the Practicum Seminar:1.         Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.  2.         Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.                                   3.         Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.  4.         Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to client’s age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.  5.         Demonstrate understanding of the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.  6.         Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes, while exhibiting effective practice in a range of professional social work roles.  7.         Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand and apply to practice individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.  8.         Demonstrate understanding of the connection between social problems and social policy, as well as demonstration of the ability to accurately analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.  9.         Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate one’s own practice interventions.  10.       Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, organizational settings, and communities.  11.       Demonstrate appropriate professional, ethical conduct within practice settings and contribute to positive organizational maintenance, development, and change.  12.       Seek supervision and consultation to promote effective social work practice.  COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completing the assignments and activities of this seminar, the student willhave demonstrated ability to:1. Prepare an educational plan for practicum learning that listsspecific learning objectives and learning activities.2. Describe practicum setting (agency) in terms of its mission,organizational structure, sources of funding, key programs,evaluating effectiveness, and its relationships with other humanservices agencies.                                                                                                                            3. Explain how the agency and its programs are affected by theagency's image and reputation within the community, bycommunity attitudes and local politics, by the community'seconomy and demographic, and by specific state and federalsocial welfare policies.4. Describe how your agency does, or could, address matters ofdiversity such as differences in cultural background, race,gender, sexual orientation, religion, language, age, class, anddisability.5. Identify conceptual frameworks (i.e. practice perspectives,theories, models) that shape the design of agency programs andservices, and guide social work interventions.6. Design an intervention that is built upon the clear identificationof specific problems or concerns, data gathering and assessment,and identifies specific steps and actions that will facilitatedesired change.7. Describe how values, ethical considerations and specific legalrequirements shape and guide agency programs and practicedecisions.8. Describe how a social work student (or a professional socialworker) does, or could, evaluate his or her effectiveness as apractitioner, and ability to describe how an agency mayevaluate effectiveness of programs9. Describe issues and concerns related to the merging of one'sown beliefs, values, and interests with the role andresponsibilities of a professional social worker.10. Describe how a social work student can make appropriate and effective use of supervision in the learning process.11. Describe basic precautions that help to reduce risk and increasepersonal safety in social work settings.12. Describe leadership and qualities of a leader.GRADING    Credit/No CreditATTENDANCE  Attendance at all classes is requiredDISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS                                                                                                          Students with disabilities who would like accommodations should notify theinstructor and The University of Montana Disability Services as soon as possible.The University of Montana Disability Services for Students will authorizeaccommodations.CONFIDENTIALITYBecause this seminar will focus on concerns and issues faced by students workingwith real clients in real agencies, it is important that client confidentiality beprotected. NEVER reveal the name of a client or provide descriptive informationthat might identify a client, even when names are not mentioned. Consult withyour instructor prior to the seminar meeting if you are unsure how you can discuss an important question or issue and still protect confidentiality.TEXTBOOK (REQUIRED) Garthwait, C. (2008). The social work practicum: A guide and workbook (4th Ed.) Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2005. (Available in UC Bookstore)Note: Bring your copy of The Social Work Practicum to each class session.Also note that the UM School of Social Work Practicum Manual is available at theSchool’s website. It will be important to access and refer to the manual throughoutthe practicum experience and the seminar courseOTHER SUGGESTED REFERENCE MATERIAL Sheafor, B. & Horejsi, C. (2003). Techniques and guidelines for social work practice(6th Ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Many students draw information fromthis book when they write their competency exam. (Book is available in UCBookstore.)Three-volume Encyclopedia of Social Work, 1995. In Reference section of Library(main floor). Call number: 361.303, B255s, 1995.SEMINAR FORMATMost of the sessions will be devoted to topics relevant to the practicum experienceand to integrating social work concepts and theory with actual practice.STUDENTS ARE TO COME PREPARED TO DISCUSS THE WEEKLY TOPIC BYREADING THE REQUIRED READINGS AND COMPLETING THE WORKBOOKSECTIONS ASSIGNED.                                                                                                                                                                              Students are expected to bring examples from their agencies, to develop ideas andquestions relevant to the topic of the week, and to respond professionally to theconcerns and questions of other students.LEADING A SEMINAR SESSION Students will be responsible for leading and guiding the other students through athoughtful examination of the week’s topic and the textbook material assigned forthe week. Selections will be made at the first seminar meeting of the semester.When preparing to lead a session, consider the following as possible content andstructure:1.                 Describe how the ideas found in the chapter(s) might apply and be relevant to your own practicum setting. 2.                  Describe what you discovered about your agency or practicum setting as you completed this week’s workbook activities. 3.                 To the extent possible, utilize small group exercises or activities to engage all students in a discussion of this week’s topics. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTSFor each class session, several chapters from the textbook are assigned readings.Students are to read the chapters and complete the workbook sections of thechapters. Students are to come to class prepared to discuss what they have writtenin their workbook.If students are conscientious about securing answers to the questions listed in theworkbook and entering the information into the space provided, they will becreating a record of immense value to the process of writing the social workCompetency Examination.Question 1 Organizational and Community Context of Practice (Oct. 13)Question 2 Social Problem and Social Policy (due Nov. 3)Question 7 The Profession of Social work (due Nov. 24)PREPARING YOUR COMPETENCY EXAMToward the end of your practicum experience you will be submitting your competencyexam paper. Instructions and exam procedure can be found in Competency ExamProcedure which is available from the School of Social Work office and is also availablein the Practicum Manual referenced above. Soon after beginning the practicum, thestudent should begin the process of gathering information relevant to the exam questionsand begin formulating and writing responses to the questions. Students are REQUIREDto submit to the instructor drafts of responses to competency examination questions as        noted below. These will be returned by the instructor with suggestions for improvement. Please note that your competency examination is to be handed in on the established due date during the final few weeks of your practicum experience. If late, the overall score will be lowered by .5.COURSE OUTLINE August 25          Introduction and Orientation to Practicum                      Chapter 1        “The Purpose of a Practicum”                                     Chapter 2         “School, Agency and Student Expectations”  September 1 Holiday  September 8        Getting Started in your Practicum/Learning Plans                                     Chapter 3       “Planning to Learn”                                     Chapter 4       “Getting Started”   September 15       Supervision & Safety Chapter 5       “Using Supervision” Student: __________________________ Chapter 6       “Personal Safety”                                     Student: __________________________  September 22      Communication                                     Chapter 7       “Communication”                                     Student: __________________________    September 29       Understanding Your Agency and Community                                     Chapter 8       “The Agency Context of Practice”                                     Student: __________________________                                     Chapter 9       “The Community Context of Practice”                                     Student: __________________________  October 6          Diversity/Comp. Exam Question 1                                     Chapter 12     “Diversity”                                     Student: __________________________        October 13         Social Problems and Social Policy                                     Chapter 10     “The Social Problem Context of Practice”                                     Student: ___________________________                                     Chapter 11     “The Social Policy Context of Practice”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Student: ___________________________Draft of Question 1 dueOctober 20 Assessment and PlanningChapter 16 “Social Work Practice as Planned Change”Student: ___________________________October 27 Intervention and Evaluation/Comp. Exam Question 2Chapter 16 “Social Work as Planned Change” (Continued)Student: ___________________________ November 3 Professional Social Work Chapter 13 “Professional Social Work”Student: ___________________________Draft of Question 2 dueNovember 10        Ethics and Legal Issues Chapter 14 “Professional Ethics”Student: ______________________Chapter 15 “Legal Concerns”Student: ______________________November 17 Evaluating Your PracticeChapter 17 “Evaluating Student Performance” Student: ______________________Assignment: Complete Student Self EvaluationNovember 24 Merging Self and Profession/LeadershipChapter 18 “Merging Self and Profession”Student: ___________________________Chapter 19 “Looking Ahead, Leadership and Justice”Student: ___________________________Draft of Question 7 dueDecember 1 Professional Issues: jobs, resumes, graduate school

SW 488.02: Field Work Practicum Seminar

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SW 488.02: Field Work Practicum Seminar

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