P a g e 1 Social Work Mission Statement Transformative education for exceptional social work practice International Community Development INTS 3331 Spring 2014 India Field School: April 28 June 30, 2014 Dr. Yasmin Dean T388 403 440 5920 ydean@mtroyal.ca
P a g e 2 1.0 PREAMBLE TO ALL SOCIAL WORK COURSES The diploma in Social Work prepares students for entry into the Professional of Social Work. The mission of the Social Work profession is to enhance well-being and help people meet basic human needs and reach their potential. Social Work is a rewarding yet demanding profession that requires workers to have a wide knowledge and skill base that are embedded in values and behaviours that are congruent with the profession. We believe that in all the learning experiences offered to students in the Social Work program, students should have the opportunities to learn, and to be assessed for, their knowledge, skills and professional behaviours. Employers and educators have identified a set of abilities (or learning outcomes) that are crucial for professional and personal success in today's society. These are: Communication, Thinking Skills, Computer Literacy, Ethical Reasoning, Information Retrieval and Evaluation, and Group Effectiveness. All of these abilities are crucial for the Social Work professional. Communication is the exchange of information, ideas and feelings. This involves listening effectively, establishing rapport, monitoring non-verbal signals and expressing awareness and respect for self and others. It also entails being able to assess personal effectiveness with regard to oral and non-verbal communication. Group Effectiveness is the ability to work respectfully with others and be open, empathetic, flexible and trusting. The ability to give and receive appropriate feedback, listen actively, express ideas clearly and encourage other group members to participate is part of the responsibility of being an effective group member. Group effectiveness also entails being committed to group goals and being able to modify one's own behaviours to improve one's contribution to the group. Respect for diversity is essential for effective group membership. Professional Presentation of Self is the demonstration that a person has the necessary attitude, values, knowledge, skills and integrity to work as a professional. The Social Work program has identified a set of behaviours that are required of students at all times in all classes. These behaviours are the ones that are required in professional settings in Social Work. Faculty will utilize these expectations when evaluating student readiness for course completion, practicum, the workplace and future education. Students are expected to: Participate in class discussions Ask questions and share opinions Be curious Complete work on time Attend classes Be punctual Be attentive Be respectful to other students Be respectful to instructors
P a g e 3 Be non-judgmental of other opinions and ideas Ensure confidentiality Demonstrate commitment to the learning process Adhere to the Social Work Code of Ethics Ask for help when needed Offer help when possible Keep an open mind to new or different ideas and experiences To work as team members Present self in a professional manner Utilize feedback to improve skill and knowledge of development 2.0 PROGRAM WIDE LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will demonstrate an introductory understanding of: 2.1 Foundational Knowledge: Understand the historical, philosophical, ethical, and theoretical perspectives of social work practice. 2.2 Practice Skill: Skills to engage, assess, advocate, and intervene at the micro, mezzo, macro level in an inclusive manner. 2.3 Critical Thinking/Analysis: Understand and articulate the multiple causes and impacts of social issues. 2.4 Academic Skills: Organize written materials and oral presentations to communicate effectively for academic and professional purposes. 2.5 Personal & Social Responsibility: Engage in reflexive practice through active involvement with diverse communities and contemporary social issues. 3.0 COURSE CALENDAR DESCRIPTION This interdisciplinary course will provide students with an overview of International Community Development issues such as poverty, health care, education, human rights, foreign aid and controversy. Students will be encouraged to examine topics such as sustainable development, child soldiers, and the world AIDS crisis, from the unique perspective of their individual field of study.
P a g e 4 Additional Description The spring, 2014 offering of INTS 3331 is tied to student participation in a field school involving travel to India. This field school comprises of two courses: INTS 3331 and Communications 3501. The Professors teaching these courses will be working in collaboration and across discipline / course lines to prepare for the field school and provide support for project development. In INTS 3331, students are asked to explore how a community such as the Sri Ram Ashram (SRA) organizes itself to meet its goals and needs, including strengths and challenges. 3.1 Pre-requisites: None 3.2 Course Outcomes: Below are the course outcomes and the program outcomes alignments in parentheses. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Explain and examine issues in international community development from a global perspective (Program outcomes #1 and #3) 2. Apply Social Work concepts to global contexts (Program outcomes #2, #3 and #5) 3. Demonstrate an evolving awareness of the interplay between local and global contexts of Social Work (Program outcomes #1,#2, #3 and #5) 4. Find, evaluate and synthesize a variety of sources of information about international community development (Program outcomes #3 and #4) 5. Integrate principles of social work professionalism into communication with others and completing assigned work (Program outcomes #2, #3, #4 and #5) 3.3 Required Resources: There is no textbook for this course. 3.4 Recommended Resources: Recommended resources will be listed in Blackboard
P a g e 5 3.5 Course Expectations: As field school students, you are expected to be self-directed in completing course tasks and assignments. If you have questions, or are unsure about any aspect of the course, please ask you instructor or check in with your classmates. Finally, you are expected to demonstrate your ongoing learning, your creativity and passion for the issues explored in this course. 3.6 Evaluation Strategies (Assignments): Assignment Percentage Due Date Professional Participation : Attendance and Participation / Engagement 20% Sept 2013 June 2014 Community Building Exercise 10% Ashram Week Final Project a project designed in consultation 70% June 30, 2013 with the Ashram Community and presented at the Student Showcase in June 2013 Final Report for International Education Not Graded June 30, 2013 Overview of Assignments You will find more detailed instructions about the Discussion Board assignments in Blackboard. Professional Participation Each student will complete a self assessment regarding their professionalism on the field school. A rubric will be provided and the instructor will assign the final mark. Below, you will find the General Grading Rubric for Social Work variations of this rubric will be used to grade all assignments in this course.
P a g e 6 Social Work Rubric for Assignment Evaluation A-level Presentations and Analysis B-level Presentations and Analysis C-level Presentations and Analysis D-level Presentations and Analysis F-level Presentations and Analysis 1. ability to relate theory to practice 2. logical structure to assignment 3. obvious development of ideas 4. clarity of expression 5. excellent (seamless) demonstration of group cohesion 1 6. excellent grammatical style and spelling 7. appropriate citation of sources (APA) 8. exceeded expectations 9. demonstrated integration of knowledge / learning from other social work courses 1. good analytical work 2. theory and practice both addressed 3. good structure 4. good development of ideas 5. Reasonable demonstration of group cohesion 6. well-expressed 7. good grammar and spelling 8. some errors in citation style (APA) 9. met expectations of assignment 10. Demonstrated some integration of learning knowledge from other social work courses 1. mainly descriptive, some analytical work 2. weak on theory 3. weaker structure 4. under-developed ideas 5. poor group cohesion 6. confusing expression of ideas 7. poor grammar and spelling 8. poor citation style (APA) 9. demonstrated a beginning ability of integrating knowledge / learning from other social work courses 1. descriptive only; poor or non-existent analysis 2. theory unaddressed 3. confusing structure 4. weak development of ideas presented 5. lack of group cohesion 6. ideas poorly connected and described 7. marginal grammar and spelling 8. unacceptable citation style 9. minimal integration of knowledge/ learning from other social work courses 1. analysis missing 2. theory missing 3. non-existent structure 4. argument lacks credible sources 5. unacceptable grammar and spelling 6. no citation of sources used 7. no demonstration of knowledge / learning from other social work courses 10. creative, visionary work 1 Group dynamic applies to assignments with group activity Developed by Faculty Department of Social Work
P a g e 7 3.7 Schedule of Classes: Date Topic Subject Matter Day 1 What is Community Organization and Development? Day 2 What is Community Organization and Development? Day 3 Who are the key players in International Development? Day 4 Developing Spiritual Understandings Being Day 5 Moving away from Helping Models 21 days in India Field Experience in India 5 days post departure (Canada) International Worldview: Behind the Pandemic Individual Versus Community Approach Types of Community Elements of Community Development Your Social Location: Oppression and Privilege Social Determinants of Health World Health Organization The Social Work Lens and the Western Lens Indigenous Worldview Eastern Religions Critical Exploration of Global Citizenship Group Facilitation, Journal Writing, Debriefing MRU Campus Group Facilitation, Journal Writing, Debriefing Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture Project Work and Demonstration / Integration of Learning Additional Sessions Connecting with Skype Meetings with SRA and LPU India Partners Group Building Getting to know peers, project development ideas, travel plans International Education Requirements Travel Itineraries, Visas, Passports etc. Safety Plans Group Celebration 4.0 SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM STUDENT POLICIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1 Due Dates: Assignments are due on the date and time assigned. Submit assignments in the manner outlined by the Instructor or in the Assignment Box in the Resource Room (T236). Students are responsible for keeping backup copies of all assignments.
P a g e 8 4.2 Late Assignments: Assignments submitted past the due date and time will be penalized 10% the first day, plus 2% for every additional day the assignment is late. Assignments submitted 7 days after the due date will not be graded. 4.3 Due Date Extensions: Granting of a due date extension is at the discretion of the Instructor. An Extension Contract must be negotiated and signed by the student and the Instructor prior to the original due date. Documentation of the extension (Extension Contract or email documentation to and from the instructor granting an extension) must be submitted with the late assignment. 4.4 Attendance and Participation: For online classes, students are required to participate regularly and in a timely manner in the online class. If a student has difficulty with meeting the requirements of any part of the online course, it is the student s responsibility to contact the instructor immediately rather than after falling behind in the course work. Regular participation in an online class is a demonstration of evolving professionalism in a field that is based upon effective knowledge and communication. Students are expected to undertake required readings and completion of course notes in preparation for the midterm exam and as a data gathering requirement as the student works toward completion of their final project for this course. Professional presentation of self in this course is connected to the student s final overall grade in the course; the consequence of not participating in online community building in a professional manner may result in course failure and/or an inability to register in other program courses. 4.5 Academic Honesty and Student Responsibility: Students should familiarize themselves with the Code of Conduct and academic regulations and policies as stated in the Calendar. Faculty may use anti plagiarism software to detect incidents of academic misconduct. All incidents of potential academic and non-academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. http://www.mtroyal.ca/wcm/groups/public/documents/pdf/code_student_conduct.pdf 4.6 Social Work Code of Ethics: Social work students should be familiar with, understand, and adhere to the values and standards outlined in the Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (2005) and the Alberta College of Social Workers Standards of Practice (2007). Both documents are available at http://www.acsw.ab.ca/ Student misconduct and/or a violation of the Code of Ethics or Standards of Practice could result in the failure of a course, or expulsion from the program. As prospective employers seek references from faculty in the Social Work program and a recommendation is required for registration as a professional social worker, cheating has serious consequences.
P a g e 9 4.7 Students with a Disability: Students with a disability, who require academic accommodations, need to register with Accessibility Services to access academic accommodations. It is the student s responsibility to register with Accessibility Services and to request academic accommodations if required. Accommodations and services are intended to remove barriers to learning, allowing access to course information, enabling you, the student, to demonstrate mastery of the course content and level the playing field while maintaining the academic standards and objectives of the course and Mount Royal University. Services are based on your unique needs and on the course requirements. To Contact Accessibility Services: Telephone: 403.440.6868 or 403.440.5680 Fax: 403440.7255 Email: accessibility@mtroyal.ca Hours: 8:30 am 4:30 pm Monday Friday Room: Y201
P a g e 10 5.0 UNIVERSITY GRADING SYSTEM (approved 2012) Letter Grade Percentage Grade Point Value A+ 95-100 4.00 Excellent. Superior performance, showing comprehensive understanding of subject matter. A 85-94 4.00 A- 80-84 3.70 B+ 77-79 3.30 Good. Clearly above average performance with B 73-76 3.00 B- 70-72 2.70 knowledge of subject matter generally complete. C+ 67-69 2.30 Satisfactory. Basic understanding of subject C 63-66 2.00 matter. C- 60-62 1.70 D+ 55-59 1.30 Marginal performance. (Generally insufficient D 50-54 1.00 preparation for subsequent courses). F 0-49 0.00 Fail. Assigned to students: a) who do not meet the academic requirements of the course, or b) who cease to continue in the course, but do not withdraw as per Mount Royal University policy.