Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Social Work & Social Welfare (Face-to-Face)

SW 1010-01

Course: SW 1010-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLHD
CRN: 31206

Course Description

This is a foundation course to understand social work as a profession. This course explores the field of social work and its role in the social welfare system. It examines the history, skills, programs, issues, policies, and professional values found in social work and social welfare. (Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None Equivalent Course(s): FLHD 1010

Required Texts


Learning Outcomes


By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Understand social work as a profession.
  2. Be able to identify different populations with whom social worker’s practice.
  3. Demonstrate a beginning understanding of generalist SW practice.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of social work values and ethical principles.
  5. Demonstrate an ability to apply critical thinking skills to multiple issues/topics with social work and family services.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and development of social work and family services.

Course Requirements

Commenced Attendance Quiz


This brief quiz will be utilized to establish your attendance in this course per regulations from the U.S. Department of Education. Not completing this quiz could impact your financial aid

Attendance (5 points per day-approximately 220 pts total)


Much of the integrative learning that occurs in this class comes from lecture and discussions in-class.  Attendance is a necessary component of the course experience. Consequently, daily attendance will be taken via a single canvas quiz offered at random times throughout the class period. Students are allowed 5 (five) free absences without any penalty to their grade.  When an emergency, illness or other events arise, you do not need to let me know when you want to use one of your free days, just know I will apply your free days to the missed day.  In order to avoid penalty beyond the five days, you will need accommodations from the Disability Resource Center (DRC)
Links to an external site..  Please reach out to them if you experience something that would lead to missing more than 5 days.  In the event class is canceled, you will automatically get full points for that day. 

Attendance at The SUU Festival of Excellence & The Utah Council on Family Relations Conference  (25 pts each- 50 total)


Please plan on attending SUU's Festival of Excellence (FOE)
Links to an external site. and The Utah Council on Family Relations Conference (UTCFR)
Links to an external site..  These are both important opportunities where you will get exposure to current research and professionals in the field.  Additional information about both events will be forthcoming.  Class will be canceled the day of the event if it falls on an instruction day.  If it is not, on an instruction day, I will cancel class the day prior to make-up for that time you'll spend.  In order to get points for these events, you will need to take a photo of yourself, the agenda/brochure, and include the surroundings of the event location. 

Weekly Discussions (10 points each - 140 total)


Discussions provide you an opportunity to think critically about what you are learning, to share this with others, and to learn from your fellow students. Each week a discussion question will be posted. You are expected to create your own response (a minimum of four sentences) and then respond to two other posts (two to three sentences).


Your first response is worth 5 points, with follow-up comments worth 2.5 points each. Please keep in mind this is not a casual text to your friend but a well-thought out response, using professional language including appropriate punctuation, capitalization and grammar. Use of in text citation will add depth to your post. Please write according to APA-7. 

Reading Quizzes (10 points each - 140 total)


Due each Wednesday.  Quizzes are a great way to encourage reading. Each week there will be a reading quiz due.  Each quiz will have 5 objective (e.g., multiple-choice, matching, and true/false) and worth 10 points each. Quizzes are time limited to 8 minutes but can be taken twice, with Canvas retaining your highest score. Quizzes will be administered through Canvas utilizing Proctorio. At the end of the semester, I will drop the lowest two quiz scores (only 2 quizzes). 


Quizzes are open note and open book, but not open neighbor.  

Guest Speaker Quizzes (10 points each - 140 total)


Exposure to licensed social workers in the field is one of the best ways to offer you an introduction to the field of social work.  Every Friday we will have a guest speaker that is prerecorded so that I can introduce you to social workers across the US.  Every Friday (with the exception of the first Friday of the semester) you will attend the lecture asynchronously which means you do not need to come to class on Friday. 


We will be using Anotto technology for the guest speaker videos.  5 quiz questions (2 pts each) are built into the 50 min and will pause at random times throughout the video to "quiz" you about what you just heard. These questions will be straight forward and aimed at assessing whether or not you watched the video.  


Tips for Using Anotto:

  1. Use Chrome for your browser
  2. You may always rewind, but you cannot fast forward
  3. Be sure to hit "submit" (lower right corner) of the screen

Guest Speaker Information Covered in the Videos:

  1. Career path
  2. The population they work with
  3. The route they took into social work
  4. Social justice issues they face in their career
  5. Social welfare programs they intersect with. 
  6. Ethical issues they face in their career.  

Macro Social Work Career Presentation (50 points total)


In week 5, We will learn about macro social work from each other using group presentations.  Social workers must learn to work alongside others and practice networking with other professionals, which is why this is a group assignment.  Please create a powerpoint presentation with the below components and present to the class (sign ups will occur in week 4).  Each member needs to speak during the presentation.  Your presentation will need to be 10 mins and no longer to ensure everyone has time to present.  Your group needs to have a minimum of 4 group members.  


Tasks:

  1. Choose one career path option for social workers who want to work at the macro level of social work. 
  2. Explain this career path including a job description, duties, earning potential, etc.  
    1. Differentiate macro-level social work from micro- and mezzo-level social work by stating who the “client” is, who the social workers colleagues are, etc.  
    2. Summarize the skills that are needed to engage in this career
  3. Provide examples of social justice issues that this career path might encounter
  4. Summarize potential ethical dilemmas this career might encounter and what the social workers’ ethical obligations might be to engage in social and political action within this career choice
  5. Evaluate your own goodness of fit with macro-level social work practice as a potential future career option (each group member could take less than a minute to state how they see themselves fitting within this career path)

Mid-Term Critical Thinking Paper (50 points total)


This assignment is about learning to think critically which is a foundational skill for this course and future related study.  To complete this assignment, please take any topic you read in your required readings and/or a topic discussed in class, and think critically about it.  An example could be the topic of substance use.  You may be exposed to ideas that challenge your previous perspectives on why folks use substances.  You could critically explain your thoughts on the debate of whether substance use is a disease or not.  You want to explain information and possibly research/theories about substance use itself and then share your analysis of this information and what you think to be true.    


Your paper should be at least 2 pages and no more than 5 pages
.  In order to successfully complete this assignment in 2 pages, you must be very articulate and thoughtful about how you present the information.  Please follow the directions below and refer to the grading rubric for full credit for this assignment. 


Critical Thinking Paper:

  1. Introduce one topic discussed in class or in the text (use APA to cite your references)  
  2. Apply critical thinking to the above topic.  Discuss thoughts and/or insights you have about the content.  

Final Project References (25 points)


For your final project (see below), students are required to have 4 references.  At least 2 of them must be from academic sources such as a textbook or journal article.  In order to support you in building a project based off suitable academic resources, students will submit their references via canvas and will be approved by your instructor.  Use APA format in submitting your references.

Final Project (140 points)


Final Project (150 Points total.  100pts for the project, 50pts for comments).
In lieu of a comprehensive final exam, there will be a research Project that will be presented to the class through Padlet within Canvas. You will find it under the Final Project Module.
For this project, you will do the following:
1) Choose either a social welfare agency, a social policy, or an aspect of social work history.
2) Explain the following:
a) What your topic is
b) Why it is of interest to you
c) How ethics are relevant to what you are researching,
d) How the topic you are researching interfaces with the other two options for research (for example, if you research a social policy, how is that policy impacted by social work history and how will it impact social welfare agencies).
3) Please include at least 4 references 2 of which must be academic sources (journal articles or textbooks and Peer reviewed) using APA 7 formatting.
4) Submit your references in Canvas separately from your project in Padlet.
5) You may work in a group or individually to complete this assignment.
6) You may use any format to present your project such as a PowerPoint, a video, graphic etc. as long you include the required information.
7) In addition to posting your own project, please review and comment on at least 5 other student/group projects.

Extra Credit- Complete Your Course Evaluation (25 points)


This is a huge make-up credit opportunity for you.  It could replace at least 2 discussions, reading quizzes or guest speaker quizzes.  Feedback on the course helps me become a better instructor.  Please complete the course evaluation during the period specified on Canvas and upload evidence (a screen shot) of its completion (not the actual evaluation).


***NO other extra credit is offered.  If you miss this opportunity, you forfeit your opportunity to get extra credit


Course Outline

Week 1 08/27-08/29 | An Introduction to the SocialWork Profession Read: Chapter 1 |  08/29 Guest Speaker Quiz 1 Due Week 1 Reading Quiz Due Week 1 Discussion Due

Week 2 09/01-09/05 | The Evolution of Social Work and the Social Welfare System Read: Chapter 2 & NASW Code of Ethics | 09/01: Commenced Attendance Quiz 09/05: Guest Speaker Quiz 2 Due Week 2 Reading Quiz DueWeek 2 Discussion Due

Week 3 09/08-09/12 | An Introduction to GeneralistSocial Work PracticeRead: Chapter 3 | 09/12: Guest Speaker Quiz 3 DueWeek 3 Reading Quiz DueWeek 3 Discussion Due

Week 4 09/15-09/19 | Social Justice, Equity,Diversity, and Inclusion in Social Work Read: Chapters 4  | 09/19: Guest Speaker Quiz 4 DueWeek 4 Reading Quiz DueWeek 4 Discussion Due

Week 5 09/22-09/26 | Macro Social Work Read: Chapter 5 | 09/26: Guest Speaker Quiz 5 Due Week 5 Reading Quiz Due Week 5 Discussion Due
Week 6 09/29-10/03 | Social Work Practice in Poverty and Housing Insecurity Read Chapter 6 | Macro Social Work Career Presentations10/03: Guest Speaker Quiz 6 Due Week 6 Reading Quiz DueWeek 6 Discussion Due

Week 7 10/06-10/10 | Social Work Practice in Mental Health Settings Read Chapter 7 | 10/10: Guest Speaker Quiz 7 DueWeek 7 Reading Quiz DueWeek 7 Discussion Due10/10 Midterm Critical Thinking Paper Due

10/13-10/17 | FALL BREAK |
 
Week 8 10/20-10/24 | Social Work in Health Care and Public Health Settings Read Chapters 8 | 10/24: Guest Speaker Quiz 8 DueWeek 8 Reading Quiz DueWeek 8 Discussion Due

Week 9 10/27-10/31 | Social Work With Children and Their Families Read Chapters 9 | 10/31: Guest Speaker Quiz 9 DueWeek 9 Reading Quiz DueWeek 9 Discussion Due
 
Week 10 11/03-11/07  | Social Work Practice With Older Adults Read Chapter 10 | 11/07: Guest Speaker Quiz 11 DueWeek 11 Reading Quiz DueWeek 11 Discussion Due Final Project References Due

Week 11 11/10-11/14 | Social Work Practice in Criminal Justice and Legal Settings Read Chapter 11 | Guest Speaker Quiz 11 DueWeek 11 Reading Quiz DueWeek 11 Discussion Due

Week 12 11/17-11/21 | International Social Work and Human Rights Read Chapter 12 | 11/21 Guest Speaker Quiz 13 DueWeek 12 Reading Quiz DueWeek 12 Discussion Due

11/24-11/28 | THANKSGIVING BREAK | 
 
Week 13 12/01-12/05 | Social Work Practice in Substance Abuse and Addiction Read Chapter 13 | 12/05: Guest Speaker 14 DueWeek 13 Reading Quiz Due Week 13 Discussion DueFinal Project Due Final Project and Comments Due by Midnight Instruction Ends



Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  1. Late assignments (reading quizzes, discussions) will be accepted at a 10% penalty per day after the due date, including weekends (the late policy does not apply to the midterm or final.)  You do not need to ask permission to turn in something late, just turn it in and anticipate the late policy to apply.  
  2. Late midterms, finals and presentations will not be accepted without DRC Accommodations.
  3. All late work is due on the last day of instruction as indicated by the University Academic Calendar.  
  4. If you’re experiencing a physical and/or emotional health challenge and feel an exception not covered above should be provided to you, please follow these steps: a) Reach out to the DRC
    Links to an external site. first and ask for accommodations as this is the best way to ensure an equitable treatment for all, b) please then contact me via email so I can best support you c) If you are not in crisis, but want to discuss late work or any other issues, please contact our TA.
  5. All assignments are due by 11:59 pm on the due date unless otherwise noted in Canvas. Please check the time that assignment is due.  In some cases, there will be an assignment due at 5pm for a specific reason.  I will not accept "I thought it was due at midnight" as an excuse.

Attendance Policy

Much of the integrative learning that occurs in this class comes from lecture and discussions in-class.  Attendance is a necessary component of the course experience. Consequently, daily attendance will be taken via a single canvas quiz offered at random times throughout the class period. Students are allowed 5 (five) free absences without any penalty to their grade.  When an emergency, illness or other events arise, you do not need to let me know when you want to use one of your free days, just know I will apply your free days to the missed day.  In order to avoid penalty beyond the five days, you will need accommodations from the Disability Resource Center (DRC)
Please reach out to them if you experience something that would lead to missing more than 5 days.  In the event class is canceled, you will automatically get full points for that day. 

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.