BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM SOCW 440 SOCIAL WORK AND MENTAL HEALTH COURSE OUTLINE Section: F15W70 Semester: Fall 2015 Instructor: Dr. Louise Stern, MSW, PhD Online Office Hours: Virtual Office Hours as requested by students Office Phone: 250-753-3245, Local 2790 e-mail: Louise.Stern@viu.ca Skype: louise.stern3 COURSE DESCRIPTION SOCW 440 Social Work and Mental Health A critical examination of historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives on mental illness, Canadian mental health law and policy, cultural and diversity aspects, classification and treatment, ethical issues, and an exploration of approaches to substance use, prevention, and treatment. (3:0:0) Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW or permission of instructor.
Page 2 LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Understand the historical and political contexts of social work practice in Canada. 2. Describe legal and ethical practices in mental health practice 3. Understand the theoretical frameworks underpinning and informing social work practice in the field of mental health 4. Recognize core concepts and approaches to mental health practice in the field of social work 5. Recognize current best practices in mental health and how this concept is applied. 6. Recognize tensions and opportunities for collaboration between stakeholder groups and practitioners 7. Understand how oppression, stigma and discrimination impacts the lives of people diagnosed with mental illness 8. Understand the mental health care system, the role of social work within assessment, intervention and treatment, and as a member of an interdisciplinary teams REQUIRED TEXTS: The text used for this class will be a combination of an online text accessible to all VIU students through the VIU library. There will also be supplementary readings assigned by the instructor that will be provided to students on the VIULearn site. Required Text: Davis, S. (2013). Community Mental Health in Canada: Theory, Policy & Practice (2 nd Ed.). Vancouver: UBC Press. Optional Texts: Regehr, C. & Glancy, G. (2014). Mental Health Social Work Practice in Canada. (2 nd Edition). Don Mills: Oxford University Press. Karp, D.A. & Sisson, G.E. (2010). Voices From The Inside: Readings on the Experiences of Mental Illness. Don Mills: Oxford University Press. CLASS FORMAT AND ASSIGNMENTS An interactive approach will be used in this course. Students will have the opportunity to post in discussion forums and provide feedback to their classmates and the instructor. Students should
Page 3 consider that like a face-to-face class and engagement with the material will take approximately 3 hours per week, not counting larger assignments. The quality of written work must be appropriate for academic work and students must use APA style formatting and referencing. An excellent resource for this is available here APA. Students are required to move through the class when each week opens and complete all sections of the module, including the class readings, the learning activities and any assignments as scheduled. All assignments will be based on the content from the readings and learning activities, therefore, it is important to keep up with the readings. The instructor will monitor student progress and will request a meeting with students if they appear to be falling behind and develop a plan for successful completion of the program. It is recommended that you keep an academic journal of the insights you have gained through readings and online discussion activities. You can reflect on the learning accomplished using your journal to strengthen the quality of work you submit in graded assignments. SOCIAL WORK CODE OF ETHICS Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work program at Vancouver Island University are expected to comply with the social work Code of Ethics within the jurisdiction in which they are residing. In Canada, students are expected to have read and comply with the Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics located here: http://www.casw-acts.ca/sites/default/files/attachements/casw_code%20of%20ethics_0.pdf Non-compliance with the Code of Ethics can result in discontinuation from the Bachelor of Social Work program. PARTICIPATION Attendance and participation in this class is mandatory. Students are expected to follow the online course on a weekly basis and keep up with the work. The instructor will follow up with students who appear to be falling behind to ensure that they will successfully complete the class content and assignments. If a student does not complete the entirety of the course, the instructor will review participation in the course and whether it can be completed.
Page 4 METHOD OF STUDENT EVALUATION: The evaluation process for this course will attempt to provide students with a variety of opportunities to apply the learning, readings and content. There will be more specific assignment outlines and marking rubrics provided online for the students to access. Please ensure that you read them and contact the instructor if you have any issues, concerns or questions regarding the content. 1. MAJOR PAPER/PROJECT 40% This will be a 10 to 14 page paper written in APA style. There will be an outline provided for each choice for students to explore. The expectations are that this paper will include at least 8 primary (academic and research papers) and secondary sources (interviews, document reviews) that explore the topic. A detailed outline and marking rubric will be available to students on the VIULearn site. You must have approval for your topic (a document for this will also be provided). Please choose something that resonates with you and your interests. Students have a choice on the focus of this paper: Interview with a person with a mental illness: A focus on an individual s experience as they navigate the mental health system. Interview with a mental health service provider: A focus on an individual s experience within the field providing care Policy Analysis: an critical analysis of a mental health law or policy either in Canada Service Proposal: Based on a specific gap in services, a proposal for a resource or service Critical Analysis of an Assessment Tool or Treatment Method: A critical analysis of a specific tool or treatment method used to treat mental illness or addictions. 2. QUIZZES (Week 5, 9, 12) (3 x 10%) 30% Students will complete short multiple choice quizzes based on the readings and the
Page 5 learning activities. 3. REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT (Week 4) 15% Students will critically reflect on their own personal and professional experiences in regards to mental health and addictions. They will make links to the readings and learning activities, specifically as it relates to stigma and personal and cultural values and beliefs. They will also consider how this will impact their work as social workers in their chosen areas of practice. An outline and marking rubric will be provided for the students online. 4. SHORT CASE REVIEW WORKSHEETS (Weeks 6, 7, & 10) (3 x 5%) 15% Students will complete short case reviews that will consist of an application of the content of the learning for that specific week to actual practice situations. Students are expected to review the following policy with respect to grade appeals: http://www.viu.ca/calendar/generalinformation/generalregulations.asp HANDLING OF STUDENT WORK 1. Students are responsible for retaining a copy of all submitted work. 2. All assignments to be submitted to the instructors on the due date as assigned and scheduled on the D2L site. Handing in an assignment late will result in a deduction of marks. Students can discuss extensions with the instructor prior to the due date based on extenuating circumstances (illness, family emergencies for example). The extension will be determined at the instructor s discretion. 3. Assignment rewrites will be determined at the instructor s discretion and based on extenuating circumstances of individual student situations. 4. Assignments must be submitted through the corresponding dropbox in the D2L site, unless pre-arranged with the instructor. 5. Every effort will be made to return assignments to students within two weeks. You will receive comments and marks through the evaluation section or directly on the submitted assignment.
Page 6 6. Students can make an appointment with their instructor to review and discuss their exams, assignments or course grade. 7. All grades for the course will be posted on the VIULearn site, and final grades will be posted for each student to view in their VIU online student record. LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS/MISSED EXAMS: CONSEQUENCES All assignments are to be submitted by the due date and all tests are to be written on the date specified. If extenuating circumstances arise such as illness or emergency and assignment submission by the due date will not be possible, or completion of tests not possible on the scheduled date, please discuss this with the instructor prior to the date the assignment is due. Penalties for Late Submission of Assignments: 1. Up to and including three calendar days past deadline, deduct ½ letter grade (e.g., B to B-). Four to seven calendar days past deadline, deduct one full letter grade (e.g. B to C+). 2. Any assignment more than seven calendar days late may not be accepted. If accepted, the late penalty will be determined by the instructor. Missed Exams Make up exams or assignments are at the discretion of the instructor. GENERAL REGULATIONS AND STUDENT CONDUCT Students are expected to review and adhere to the General Regulations and Student Conduct Code (Policy 32.05): http://www.viu.ca/calendar/generalinformation/generalregulations.asp Students are expected to review and adhere to the Faculty of Health and Human Services Policies and Procedures listed here: https://www2.viu.ca/hhs/hhspoliciesandprocedures.asp It is an expectation that students will have read the BSW Student Handbook in its entirety and understand its contents. The student handbook can be located here: https://www2.viu.ca/bsw/bswstudenthandbook.asp Academic Integrity Academic integrity is expected of all students. Please read through the Student Academic
Page 7 Code of Conduct policy (www.viu.ca/policies) to ensure that you are aware of VIU s expectations. Violations of the academic code of conduct will be taken seriously and acted upon according to this policy. STUDENT SUPPORTS 1. BSW Homepage 2. Vancouver Island University Calendar: http://www.viu.ca/calendar/ 3. VIU Learning Matters: http://learningmatters.viu.ca 4. VIU Writing Center: http://sites.viu.ca/writingcentre/ 5. Student Affairs Department: http://www.viu.ca/studentservices/ 6. Vancouver Island University student information: http://www.viu.ca/students/ 7. Online APA style referencing sites provided under the APA style referencing link located here: APA Style Referencing Helpful Websites 8. Online access to Instructor through email BSW GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 1 Students must have completed at least 120 university-level credits and have completed all the required core and elective courses to be eligible for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. 2 A minimum "C+" average on all required courses with no grade lower than "C". 3 It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all requirements for the degree are met. Students are encouraged to consult the social work program Advisor for information and guidance.
Page 8 Grades will be assigned according to the Vancouver Island University GRADE SCALE. GRADE SCALE TABLE Grade Percent Grade Point Description age (%) Value A+ 90-100 4.33 A 85-89 4.00 Excellent A- 80-84 3.67 B+ 76-79 3.33 B 72-75 3.00 Good B- 68-71 2.67 C+ 64-67 2.33 C 60-63 2.00 Satisfactory C- 55-59 1.67 D 50-54 1.00 Poor F 0-49 0.00 Failing work Unsatisfactory performance or failure to meet course requirements. CR N/A 0.00 Course passed Requirements completed, but not calculated in GPA. INC N/A 0.00 Incomplete If course requirements are not completed after 90 days from the course end date, the INC grade will automatically become an F grade. CS N/A 0.00 Continuing Status In good standing. Course is delivered over 2 terms, separated by a break. Final mark to be issued at end of 2nd term. AUD N/A 0.00 Audit INP N/A 0.00 In Progress In good standing. Student must re-enroll within one year. NGS N/A 0.00 No Grade Submitted yet; neither Pass nor Fail.