SWK 214 Social Work Law
                                                           Spring 2005
                                                              Internet

Instructor: Sheri Narin
Office: L130
Office Hours: Posted by Office Door
Virtual Office Hour: Will be announced each week.
Phone Number: (336) 599-1181 Ext. 424
E-mail: narins@piedmontcc.edu
Course Website: http://www.piedmont.cc.nc.us/

Faculty Website:  http:www2.piedmont.cc.nc.us/faculty/narins

Textbooks: Alexander, R., Jr., Understanding Legal Concepts That Influence Social Welfare Policy and Practice, 2003, Brooks/Cole Publishers. ISBN: 0-534-59661-4
 

Other Required Materials: A working email address (One that can both send and receive email). Access to Microsoft Word for homework assignments. 

 

Course Description
This course introduces the major provisions of social services law, current trends, legislative developments and court procedures. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of the laws and court decisions related to various social services populations. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret these laws and their implications for social services practice. This course is a unique concentration requirement of the Social Service concentration in the Human Services Technology Program.
Classroom  3 Lab  0 Clinic  0 Credit  3

 

Course Objectives
1. Student will describe basic legal concepts and explain the hearing process.
2. Student will list and define basic legal terms as applied to the social worker, demonstrating an understanding of the role of the social work in the court system.
3. Student will identify and describe the basic constitutional and statutory laws that impact principle areas of social welfare policy and social work practice.
4. Student will describe laws related to the protection of children, families, domestic violence victims, persons with disabilities, people receiving public assistance and others who are affected by the social welfare system.
5. Student will define legal liability and malpractice as applied to social workers and will describe the social worker’s responsibility and rights in this area

 

Attendance Policies
Attendance is taken from your quantity and quality of postings to the Discussion Board. Discussion Board participation counts as 30% of your final average.

 

Grading Policies

The activities in this course will be worth approximately 1000 points. Note that this is subject to change.
The grade breakdown is as follows:
Introductory activities, to be completed in the first 5 days of class, are worth 30 points, or 3% of your grade. These include changing your email address on blackboard, emailing the instructor, and completing a syllabus quiz.  You will also have initial posts to the student coffeehouse, but these will be graded as part of your discussion board grade.

Discussion board postings are worth a total of 270 points, or 27% of your overall grade. You get two discussion board grades each week, one for your response to the questions, and one for your responses to other students’ responses. Your initial responses to the questions are worth 10 points each, and your responses to other students are worth 10 points total for that week’s responses.


Exams will be worth a total of 300 points, or 30% of your overall grade. You will have nine exams, on for each module, worth a total of 300 points.

Each module, except module eight, has a homework assignment.  Each homework assignment is worth 50 points, for a total of 400 points, or 40% of your grade.

 
Overall: Introductory activities: 30 points, Discussion Board activities: 270 points,
Module Exams: 300 points, Homework Assignments:  400 points
 
The approximate scale for the class (subject to change!) is:

1000 to 900 = A
899 to 800 = B
799 to 700 = C
699 to 600 = D
Below 600 - F

Specific assignment information for each module is available on the assignments page on Blackboard.

 

Discussion Board Requirements

 

1.  Read the assigned chapter.

2.  Post your answer to at least two questions posted in the Discussion Board by the instructor.

3.  Provide feedback to at least four other student's answers.

4.  Each student is expected to log in to the course 3 times per week or about every 48 hours to participate in the Discussion Board.


Criteria for Discussion Questions

The criteria for earning an A on a discussion:

 The criteria for earning a B on a discussion:

The criteria for earning a C on a discussion:

·        The discussion answers the question.

 

Feedback should be helpful to the student receiving it. Feedback will be evaluated for the following:

·        Clarity

·        Specificity

·        Usefulness to student (will it help the student to get a better grade on next discussion question?)

·        Balance - does the feedback point out strengths in the discussion as well as areas of weakness?

·        Helpfulness - Does the feedback provide resources to assist student in further research?

 

Exams

There will be nine exams, each covering one module. The exams will include multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, matching questions and short-answer/essay questions. You will have a week to take the exam, starting on the Monday through the Sunday that follows the end of the module, except with the last exam, which will be the last week of classes. All exams are online. You can access them through a link on assignments. You will generally have two hours to complete these exams, and they will be open-book exams.

 

Homework Assignments

There is a homework assignment with each module (except module eight).  The homework assignments are generally submitted on the second Sunday of a module, unless the module is one week long.  However, it is important to check the specific dates for each module.  Homework assignments will be typed, with a font of twelve, double –spaced with one-inch margins.  The references should be MLA style, including Internet references.  Homework assignments submitted without references will lose 10 points.  Assignments submitted with the references done incorrectly will lose five points.  Assignments should be submitted as an email attachment or via the drop box.  The title of the email or dropbox submission should always include your name, the course number (SWK 214) and the name of the assignment (For example, module two homework assignment).  Assignments that are submitted without the correct labeling will lose 5 points.

 

 

 

Below is the PCC policy on plagiarism:

 

                                                                                                              7.5.1

PLAGIARISM

 

Whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism is “the wrongful act of taking the product of another person's mind and presenting it as one's own" (Alexander Lindey, Plagiarism and Originality, 1952).

 

The following acts are examples of intentional plagiarism:

 

Copying material from a published source to avoid having to devise one’s own ideas.

Failing to give clear and proper credit to an idea, phrase, or quotation taken from a source.

Purchasing a pre-written paper.

Having someone other than the stated author complete an assignment, or part of an assignment.

 

Unintentional Plagiarism occurs when a student provides sources for his or her work, but the sources are cited incorrectly or inadequately. Handbooks with documentation rules for Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychology Association (APA), two source documentation styles, are housed in the Caswell County Campus Resource Center and in the Person County Campus Learning Resource Center. Students are also encouraged to speak with their instructors when they are uncertain about documenting their sources in class assignments.

 

Plagiarism will result in disciplinary action, and repeated offenses will lead to increased penalties that may ultimately result in expulsion from the College, as set out below:

 

A student who unintentionally plagiarizes will receive a warning and instruction on proper citation, style, and usage for the first offense.

A student who unintentionally plagiarizes a second time in a single course will receive a course grade of F in the course in which the student plagiarized.

A student who intentionally plagiarizes will receive a course grade of F in the course in which the student plagiarized.

If a student receives a course grade of F due to plagiarism, the course instructor will notify the Dean of Student Development using the Plagiarism Incident Report Form.

If a student receives three course grades of F due to plagiarism, as determined by records kept in the office of the Dean of Student Development, he or she will be expelled from the College.

 

Legal Reference: G.S. 115 D-20

History Note: Effective January 20, 2004

 

Student Success Center

 Piedmont Community College now offers a comprehensive package of services to assist students with their academic success. The Student Success Center, located in Room G-204, provides a variety of free learning support services including computer access, tutoring, supplemental instruction, study groups, and other academic services. Visit or call Gloria Bennett, Coordinator of the Student Success Center, at 599-1181 ext. 276 to access this valuable student resource.

Students with Disabilities

 If you have a disability that may affect your academic performance and need accommodations, you may contact the Special Needs Counselor, Shelley Stone in E-Building.  It is important to request accommodations early in order to give the counselor adequate time to consider your request and recommend reasonable accommodations.  Information provided to Ms. Stone will be kept confidential.

 

Financial Aid
It is important to be aware that withdrawing from a class or failing a class may adversely affect financial aid availability, and at times will result in your having to pay back money to the school. You are strongly encouraged to talk with the financial aid office before withdrawing from a class.


The last day to drop this class with a "W" is March 4, 2005.

Other policies:

1)  Assistance: Please contact me by phone or email with any questions or problems. There is also a distance-learning counselor available. Her name is Libbie McPhaul-Moore and she can be contacted at 599 - 1181 ext. 445.

2) Email policies: When sending an email to your instructor, please make sure that in the title, you put the course code (SWK 214, SWK115, etc.), your name, and to what this is in reference (Module two homework assignment, etc.). Emails that do not identify the speaker in the title line may be deleted to protect from viruses.

 You are also encouraged to look at the link in External Links in “Netiquette,” for further guidelines on email.

3) Late Assignments: Homework assignments that are late lose 5 points a day.  Discussion board answers to posted questions that are less than two days late will lose a grade level per day since it will be more difficult for other students to respond.  Discussion board responses that are late will not be graded as this does not provide the opportunity for other students to interact and learn from each other, thus negating the purpose of the assignment.  Exams cannot be taken after the last available day.

4) Dropping the class:  If you choose to drop the class, you must complete a drop form.  If you do not complete the drop form you will receive an “F” in the class.

 

 

 

SCHEDULE

Detailed descriptions of the assignments are listed under each module in Assignments.
For module one and module nine, your initial discussion board posting will be due by Thursday at 8:00 p.m. Your response to other students will be due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

For modules two through eight, your initial posting will be due by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday of the first week. Your responses to others will be due by 8:00 p.m. on the Sunday of the second week.


Assignments are due on the last day of the module. For example, the homework assignment for module one will be due by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 16, 2005.

 

Exams are available in the last week of the module, and must be completed by Sunday of that week.

 

  Week One:  Thursday, January 6, 2005 to Sunday, January 9, 2005 Orientation and Introduction. Complete all introductory activities by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Two:  Monday, January 10, 2005 to Sunday, January 16, 2005 Module One: Chapter One. Discussion board original post due by Thursday at 8:00 p.m. Discussion board responses due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Homework assignment due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.  Exam One is due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.  
 

  Week Three: Week Three: Monday, January 17, 2005 to Sunday, January 23, 2005

Module Two: Chapter Two. Discussion board original post due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Four:  Monday, January 24, 2005 to Sunday, January 30, 2005 Module Two, continued. Discussion board responses due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Homework assignment due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.   Exam Two is due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Five: Week Five:  Monday, January 31, 2005 to Sunday, February 6, 2005

Module Three: Chapter Three. Discussion board original post due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

 

  Week Six: Week Six:  Monday, February 7, 2005 to Sunday, February 13, 2005 Module Three, continued. Discussion board responses due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Homework assignment due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Exam Three is due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Seven: Monday, February 14, 2005 to Sunday, February 20, 2005 Module Four: Chapter Four. Discussion board original post due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. .
 

  Week Eight:  Monday, February 21, 2005 to Sunday, February 27, 2005 Module Four, continued. Discussion board responses due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Homework assignment due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.  Exam Four is due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Nine:  Monday, February 28, 2005 to Sunday, March 6, 2005

Chapter Five. Discussion board original post due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

 

  Week Ten:  Monday, March 7, 2005 to Sunday, March 13, 2005 Module Five, continued. Discussion board responses due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Homework assignment due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.  Exam Five is due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Eleven:  Monday, March 14, 2005 to Sunday, March 20, 2005

Module Six: Chapter Six. Discussion board original post due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Twelve:  Monday, March 21, 2005 to Sunday, March 27, 2005 Module Six, continued. Discussion board responses due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Homework assignment due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Exam Six is due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

(March 28, 2005 to April 1, 2005 is Spring Break)

 

  Week Thirteen: Monday, April 4, 2005 to Sunday, April 10, 2005 Module Seven: Chapter Seven. Discussion board original post due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

 

  Week Fourteen:  Monday, April 11, 2005 to Sunday, April 17, 2005

Module Seven, continued. Discussion board responses due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Homework assignment due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.  Exam Seven is due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Fifteen: Monday, April 18, 2005 to Sunday, April 24, 2005

Module Eight: Chapter Eight. Discussion board original post due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Sixteen: Monday, April 25, 2004 to Sunday, May 1, 2004 Module Eight, continued. Discussion board responses due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.  Exam Eight is due by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
 

  Week Seventeen: Monday, May 2, 2004 to Saturday, May 7, 2004 Module Nine: Chapter Nine. Discussion board original post due by Thursday at 8:00 p.m. Responses due by Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Homework assignment due by Saturday at 8:00 p.m.  Exam Nine is due by Saturday at 8:00 p.m.