Introduction to Social Work

Syllabus

Spring 2008

Columbia State Community College

Professor: Gene E. Humphrys

Instructor Contact Information
 

Professor:

Gene E. Humphrys
 

Email:

ghumphrys@columbiastate.edu
 

Instructor Website:

http://www.ghumphrys.columbiastate.edu
 

Student Academic Support Center

http://academicsupport.columbiastate.edu/

Phone/Voice Mail:

931 540-2763 Clement 127

Fax:

931 540-2796
 

Office Location:

Clement 127 (Columbia Campus)
 Room #147  (Lawrenceburg Campus)

Weather Information:

931  540.2515
 931 766-1600  WCC : (615) 790-4400

Office Hours:

Office hours are located at

http://www.ghumphrys.columbiastate.edu/Office_Hours.htm

and on office door at Clem #127

Academic Success Center 

Writing Assistance

Writing Assistance Available

The Academic Success Center offers tutoring free of charge for all students enrolled at Columbia State Community College. Assistance is available for all writing assignments, for most math courses, and some science courses, as well as for specific courses as the need arises. Tutors are available at all five campuses, and online tutoring is offered as well. 

Locations

Walk-in visits are welcome, but to ensure prompt service, students should schedule an appointment. Please visit the Academic Success Center web page for information regarding staff, hours, tutoring, etc: www.academicsupport.columbiastate.edu.

• Columbia campus
  Warf 237
  931.540.1302
• Franklin campus
  Located next to the library
  615.790.5671

 
Course Information
 

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to the social work profession. Because the field of social work draws on the academic disciplines of sociology and psychology, students will gain insight into the social and environmental factors that influence individual lives. Students will become acquainted with the challenges and rewards of social work, social service agencies, as well as current social policies, will be discussed. Other topics will include social work practice in family and children services, health care, schools, criminal justice, substance abuse, and workplace settings.

Course Objectives:

For the student to acquire:

v      an appreciation of the history and dynamics of the social work profession.

v      an understanding of the economic and social justice motivations that impact social policy.

v      an ability to compare and contrast the dynamics and objectives of various social service agencies.

v      problem-solving skills that equip the social practitioner in dealing with complex issues.

v      a foundation to pursue further undergraduate study in social work

Textbooks and Other Course Materials
 

Required Textbooks:

Textbook Website:

Supplemental Articles:            

Computer Expectations

Suppes, Mary Ann and Carolyn Cressy Wells.

   The Social Work Experience: An Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare. (2003). Fourth Edition. McGraw-Hill.

ISBN 0-07-248597-3

www. mhhe.com/sociology

Required articles will be on reserve in the Columbia State Library or posted into online campus. Students are responsible for downloading or copying articles in order to complete the readings before due date. Typically, a writing assignment will be required in response to the readings.

Students are expected to regularly access a computer with Internet capabilities for the purpose of completing assignments, checking news items, grades, calendar items, and Email through Campus Online.

Email address:

All students have access to an email account through Columbia State Community College. It is imperative that you access and check this email for  this course. In addition, your PVT Username and Password will be necessary to access any other course materials, such as WebCT and/or articles from the library. For assistance in looking up your PVT Username please go to http://helpdesk.columbiastate.edu. For more information on computer labs and student email accounts, please refer to: Student Email Accounts
 

 General Course Information
 

American With Disabilities Act:

In compliance with ADA, students are encouraged to register with the Office of Counseling/Disability Services for possible assistance with accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of a disability. Students requesting special accommodations are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Counseling/Disability Services (931.540.2572) at the beginning of the semester.

Cellular Telephone/Pager Policy:

The use of cellular telephones and pagers in the classroom is prohibited at Columbia State Community College. All phones and pagers must be either turned off or set to silent/vibrate mode.  Students are not excused from class to answer the telephone or a page unless there is an emergency that the student has notified the instructor of before the start of class.

Academic Misconduct:

Any student involved, either directly or indirectly, in the act of plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty will be subject to receiving an “F” for the course.

Plagiarism:

The “borrowing” of another author’s words or ideas, without giving credit to the author, is considered plagiarism. All quotes from articles must be cited as well as any paraphrasing. Students should adhere to all citing and quoting guidelines when writing papers to prevent a charge of plagiarism. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course or the assignment. For further information see: Avoiding Plagiarism
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

Emergency:

In case of emergency please follow all directions of instructor and refer to the Emergency Procedures Guide listed in each classroom.
(Columbia State Security—931 797-7669) (Lawrence County Center—931 766-1600 and Clifton Center --- 931 676-6966 –Williamson County Center--- 615 709-4400)

Classroom Rules

• Courteous and respectful behavior should be demonstrated toward the instructor and fellow classmates
• Have an open mind during classroom discussions
• No pagers, cell phones, weapons, drugs, food or drinks
• Children are not allowed in the classroom.
• Do not leave during class
• Avoid coming late to class
• No packing-up

Evaluations 

 Exams

Exams will cover sociological terms reviewed in class, assigned readings, and group discussions. Study guides will be given in order to guide the student in test preparation; however, the student is responsible for all chapter, lecture, and discussion information included on a particular exam.

·         Tests will NOT be made up unless the student has notified the instructor in advance of the absence OR if there is a documented (e.g. doctor’s note) emergency for the absence. In the event of a makeup exam, the student will take a different test from the one given on the day of the original exam.
 Cheating on examinations will not be tolerated !!

• 100 points each
   
• 400 total points

Assignments

Reading assignments-It is expected of college students that they will keep up with chapter reading assignments. Unannounced quizzes may occur at the discretion of the instructor if students are not reading assigned chapters.

 Essays : Essay assignments covering selected topics will be announced in advance. There will be three essays.

Critical thinking exercises will be accomplished as group activities.

  Three essays will count 10 points each

·        30 possible points

 Class Participation

ATTENDANCE POLICY: ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED!!!  The majority of learning occurs in the normal interchange of classroom activities. A student will be counted present only if he/she is present and awake during the entire class period and is focuses on in-class activities.

v      There are no excused absences except a death in the family.

v      Student in a class that meets twice a week :

(1)     You are allowed 4 absences (for any reason)

(2)     5 absences will result in a 20 point reduction

(3)     6 absences will result in a letter grade reduction

(4)  7 or more will result in an “F” for the course

v  Do not leave in the middle of class as this behavior is very disruptive to the instructor and co-students.

v       You are expected to be in class the entire period.     

• 20  possible points

Grades

 

Final Grades:

Grades are not mailed to students. Students may access grades via Web for Students (www.columbiastate.edu) five (5) working days after grades are required in Admissions. Students may print a copy of their grades from Web for Students.

Grade Confidentiality:

The student's grades are kept in confidence. No disclosure of grades will be given to family members, employers, etc. In addition, grades cannot be provided to a student via email or phone.

Grading Scale:

Final Grade By Point Totals

A          495-550

B          440-494

C          385-439

D         330-384

F         329-    0

Important Notice – Last Date to Drop Class is March 27, 2008