This course takes an in-depth look at the values and ethics that helping professionals need to utilize in order to provide safe and effective services without harming clients. It also provides an opportunity to practice applying values and ethics so that by the end of the course, course participants are prepared to begin applying the concepts in a professional setting.

• Reamer, Frederic, G. (2024). Social work values and ethics, sixth edition. Columbia University Press.
• Student’s choice of a code of ethics from a helping profession ie: social work, CFLE, marriage and family therapy, nursing, education, etc…

If you are a social work or pre social work major, it is expected that you use the NASW Code of Ethics for assignments that require use of a Code of Ethics..

At the completion of this course, students will:

• 1. Identify the 5 ethical principles and explain their relevance in social work and family services.
• 2. Explain personal values and biases and how they impact individual thought processes and decision making
• 3. Identify and name principles of ethical practice within social work and family services (and helping professions generally) and demonstrate an ability to apply these principles in practice.
• 4. Demonstrate an ability to utilize critical thinking skills within the context of values and ethics in social work and family services.
• 5. Explain the importance of incorporating multiple cultural perspectives into values and ethics.
• 6. Identify and explain the correlation between burnout and unethical behavior.
• 7. Identify, evaluate and apply appropriate strategies to ethical issues experienced by individuals and families (NCFR Competency 9).

Grading Scale:
A 94% - 100% B- 80% - 82% D+ 67% - 69%
A- 90% - 92% C+ 77% - 79% D 63% - 66%
B+ 87% - 89% C 73% - 76% D- 60% - 62%
B 83% - 86% C- 70% - 72% F 59% and below

All percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole number.

• Please note that as a social work major, you must earn a B- or better in this course, or you will be required to repeat the course

• 7. All documentation must be done in APA 7th Edition format. Please note that in this course, I am very strict about how references are formatted. You will lose points if they are not precise. OWL at Purdue is a great resource! Please do not rely on any automatic reference/citation formatting tools/engines as these often produce incorrect citations/references. For this course, abstracts, cover pages and headings are not necessary. You will not be docked for using these. If you are going to pursue your education in the social sciences field, you may find it useful to purchase an APA manual. If it is discovered that you used a false source, generated by AI or any other source, this will be considered academic dishonesty and SUU Policy 6.33 will be followed. When required to use outside sources, students are expected to use credible sources; wikipedia is not allowed for use as a reference in this course.

• 8. For better or worse, AI is here to stay. We must learn to work with AI without allowing it to overtake human processes such as critical thinking or human connection. In this course, using AI is acceptable as long as you use it as a resource and not to replace your own cognitions or emotions. Some examples of acceptable use of AI in this course are to: help you organize your own thoughts, help you edit your assignments that are your own writing, or help guide you in your research in the way a teacher or librarian might help. It is unacceptable to to use AI to complete your assignments which means it is unacceptable to ask AI to write your papers or presentations for you. If you use AI, the expectation for this course is that you use it as a resource. You must properly cite it if you use it. If it is discovered that you are using AI without properly citing it or you use AI to generate work that you turn in as your own, SUU Policy 6.33 for Academic Integrity will be followed.

• 9. All papers must be typed in either Arial or Times New Roman with a 12 point font, 1 inch margins, and double spaced. If your papers are not double spaced, I will not grade them.

• 10. Grammar and following instructions matters! Your grade will be affected by these things. Please take care to be sure your assignments are properly formatted (ie spelling, punctuation, paragraph/sentence structure and complete sentences) and that you follow instructions listed in the syllabus. While you will be docked points according to assignment rubrics for incorrect grammar and poor writing mechanics, because of the amount of time it takes to do so, I will not be editing your papers as I grade them.

• 12. Grading: Because I want your focus to be on learning and not on how skilled you are or aren’t at earning high grades, the grading in this class is intended to be reflective of that. Your participation, effort, and learning are more important than your skill at earning a specific grade.

All assignments, excluding quizzes, turned in on time, or within 3 days of the due date (maximum of 3 assignments), and completed according to the assignment instructions as outlined in both the assignment instructions in Canvas and the grading rubric will receive full credit. All assignments turned in on time, or within 3 days of the due date (maximum of 3 assignments), for which all or part of the assignment is insufficient for meeting assignment expectations as outlined in both Canvas and the grading rubric will receive ½ credit. Assignments turned in that are irrelevant to the assignment as outlined in Canvas will receive 0 credit with no opportunity to revise it. Translation = you may not turn something in that is irrelevant to the assignment in order to buy yourself more time to complete the assignment.

If you earn ½ credit on an assignment, you may revise and resubmit (excluding quizzes/final exam) for full credit as long as you do so within 7 days of when the assignment is graded and your revisions are highlighted. You may revise and resubmit as many times as you want/need to in order to earn the grade you want on each assignment. The instructor will not regrade any assignments that do not have revisions clearly highlighted. Any assignments due the last two weeks of the semester will not have this flexibility; while you will be given the opportunity to revise and resubmit these assignments, it must be done within the time frame outlined in comments left by the instructor/grader at the time it is graded.

• 13. Ecological Model for Myself (25 points) - Please complete an Ecological Model for yourself in order to deepen your understanding of an Ecological Model. Please see Canvas for specific instructions and due date.

• 14. Burnout Prevention Plan (50 points) - For this assignment, you will identify and discuss a minimum of 5 warning signs of burnout focusing on how you know you are approaching burnout. Identify the 2 that will be the most problematic for you and explain why they will be problematic. Create a personalized, detailed burnout prevention plan that includes identifying and avoiding risk factors (when possible) and utilizing protective factors and self-care. Be specific. In order to earn full credit for this assignment, it must be clear to the professor that your plan applies to your life. You may format this in whatever way you want and makes sense to you. Please create a one-sided infographic about your burnout prevention plan. You must use at least 2 outside sources, one of which must be an academic source (textbook or peer reviewed article). Please include a reference page for this assignment. There is no minimum page number; please keep it under 5 pages. Please see Canvas for the due date.

• 15. Values & Bias Paper (50 points) - For this assignment, you will be exploring your personal values and biases. Then, you will write a 4-6 page paper about your personal values and biases. Please refer to the assignment shell in Canvas for additional details about this paper. Please see Canvas for the due date.

• 16. Code of Ethics Summary (25 points) - For this assignment, you will find a code of ethics relevant to your professional goals and write a summary about what stood out to you about it. In the summary, please address what the guiding principles are, what is included to protect both clients and professionals and what is important to remember as you move forward in this field. If you have either been accepted into or intend to apply for the BSW program at SUU, please use the NASW Code of Ethics for this assignment. Please see Canvas for the due date.

• 17. Ethics in the News (25 points) - For this assignment, you will find an article or news story of some kind highlighting an ethical issue, related to social work or family services, in the news. For full credit, you will need to write a brief summary, present the dilemma to the class and lead a discussion in class about the issue and its relevance to ethics. December 4 is the last guaranteed day to be able to present Ethics in the News. While there may be time later in the semester, the instructor cannot guarantee this. Please see Canvas for specific instructions and the due date.

• 18. Reading Summaries (120 points total) - For each week that reading is assigned, you will submit a summary of what you learned from the reading and how you are synthesizing it with the modules and outside content and/or experiences. Check Canvas for due dates.

• 19. Critical Thinking Activities (75 points total) - Throughout the semester, please choose any 3 activities to attend/participate in that challenge your comfort level. After each activity, please spend some time reflecting on how this particular activity was uncomfortable and then write a 1-2 page reflection about how participating in this activity helped you challenge your biases and increase your critical thinking skills. For 1 of these activities/assignments, please intentionally approach/confront an issue that you disagree with and/or makes you uncomfortable. The due date for these assignments is listed as the last day of the semester so that you have the entire semester to complete the assignment. If you wait until the last day (or week) of the semester to begin these assignments, you will not likely be able to complete them. Please see Canvas for specific instructions.

• 20. Group Presentation - For this assignment, you will:

• work in groups of 3 - 5
• choose 1 ethical concept discussed in class (any topic listed in the syllabus
• research and explore:

• how your chosen topic could be and/or is complicated across at least 2 clearly identified diverse cultures
• implications for professional practice based on these complications
• utilize at least 5 sources, 2 of which must be academic sources (textbook or peer-reviewed academic journal)

● Present your findings/information to the class

You may choose to take a strict research approach, combine research with personal interviews of individuals from diverse populations, or take an entirely different approach. Please remember 1 or 2 individuals from a diverse population does not represent the entire population. As long as you include sources as previously outlined, there is no limit and/or expectation for how the information is presented as long as it is done with empathy and critical thinking.

The only written work to be handed in will be an outline, reference page and evaluation of your group members which are due before class on the day you present. While everyone needs to turn in an evaluation of your group members, it is only necessary for one group member to turn in the outline and reference page; please be sure all the names of individuals within the group are included with the outline/reference page that is turned in for the group.

Presentations will be done in class towards the end of the semester. Your reference page and evaluation of your group members is due before class on the day you present even though Canvas lists the due date as the last week of the semester. Your presentation should be between 15 - 20 minutes long. Please refer to the grading rubric in Canvas for additional details.

• 21. Case Study Analysis - This assignment will be completed at the end of the semester; specific dates will be provided at least two weeks prior. Specific instructions will be provided in class when we begin this in class assignment. If you want to complete this assignment (worth a significant portion of your grade), it is very important that you are in class. The only circumstances for which alternate assignments will be approved and provided are if you have a school-excused absence, DRC accommodations, or you make arrangements ahead of time.

• 22. Final Exam (75 points) - There will be a comprehensive final exam that will be completed in the testing center during the last week of class. It will be application based, meaning the focus will be on information you need to know in order to be an ethical practitioner. A study guide will be provided at least one week prior to the exam. You will be allowed one page of notes in the testing center. If you attend and are engaged in class throughout the semester, you will do well on the exam. Additional details will be provided as the date gets closer.

Course Schedule

Course Schedule Disclaimer: While content scheduled to be covered that is outlined in this course schedule will not likely change, the timing of which week it is presented may change based on factors unavailable to address at the time this syllabus was written.

Week Topics and Tasks Assignments Due

1 Introduction to course/class 9/2: Syllabus Quiz due
9/2 - 9/4 Critical Thinking 9/4: Ecological Model For Self due
Ecological Model & Introduction to Ethics

2 Words Matter 9/7: No Class: Labor Day
Danger of a Single Story & Vulnerability 9/11: No class: Online content
9/8 - 9/11 Read: Chapter 1: Social Work Values and Ethics: An 9/11: Danger of a Single Story & Overview Vulnerability bullet points due
9/11: Reading Summary due

3 Burnout 9/18: Reading Summary due
Read: Complete the Cycle
9/14 - 9/18 Burnout & Secondary Traumatic Stress…
7 Strategies for Preventing Burnout

4 Values & Biases 9/25: Burnout Prevention Plan due
Reading: Think Like A Monk, Ch 1 9/25: Reading Summary due
9/21 - 9/25

5 5 Ethical Principles 10/2: Values & Biases Paper due
Read Chapter 2: Social Work Values 10/2: Reading Summary due
9/28 - 10/2 BEGIN ETHICS IN THE NEWS 10/2: Check In 1 due

6 Codes of Ethics 10/9: Code of Ethics Summary due
Read code of ethics of choice
10/5 - 10/9

7 Cultural Awareness & Humility 10/19: No Class: Fall Break
Read: Chapter 3: Ethical Dilemmas and 10/16: Reading Summary due
10/12 - 10/16 Decision Making: A Framework 10/16: Check In 2 due

8 Supervision, Consultation, & Power Differentials 10/23: Presentation Outline due
Read: Chapter 4: Ethical Dilemmas in Social 10/23: Reading Summary Due
10/21 - 10/23 Work: Direct Practice

9 Informed Consent & Rights & Responsibilities 10/30: Reading Summary Due
Read: Chapter 5: Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work:
10/26 - 10/30 Indirect Practice
Recommended reading: 42CFR, HIPPA & FERPA,
easily found through an internet search engine

10 Confidentiality 11/6: Reading Summary Due
Read: Chapter 6: Ethics Risk Management and 11/6: Check In 3 due
11/2 - 11/6 Ethical Misconduct

11 Boundaries & Dual Relationships
11/9 - 11/15

12 Professional Competence 11/20: Ethics in the News due
Ethics in the News Marathon (If needed) 11/20: Check In 4 due
11/16 - 11/20
Thanksgiving Break: No Class November 23 - 27

13 Group Presentations Presentation assignments due before
11/30 - 12/4 class on the day you present

14 Case Study Analysis 12/11: Critical Thinking Activities
Trials of Gabriel Fernandez (Time Permitting) due
12/7 - 12/11 12/11: Final Exam due

Email (using an email application) is the best way to reach me. Please do not rely on communication through assignments in Canvas for communicating with me. While I try to keep track of that communication, I have never been 100% successful at this.

Electronic Device Use (Cell phones, laptops, tablets): Please keep your cell phones on vibrate or silent and do not allow them to become a distraction in class. If you need to use your cell phone, please practice professionalism and step out to do so. I, and other faculty on campus, have noticed a trend of laptops becoming a distraction in class. Please practice professionalism while in class and keep your focus on class. Please do not work on assignments for this or any other class during this class, unless that assignment is the current focus of class.

• 4. Please pay attention to Canvas Announcements as this instructor uses Canvas Announcements to communicate with students about important information. You will be accountable for information provided through announcements.

• 5. All assignments are due at midnight on the due date unless otherwise noted.

• 6. Assignments may be turned in early. You may turn in up to 3 assignments up to 3 days late without questions or penalty. Any late work beyond this will only be accepted if you have formal accommodations in place through the Disability Resource Center or support through the Office of Student Outreach and Support. This applies to all assignments that will receive a grade. Please do not rely on Canvas to remind you of when assignments are due; please be proactive and know when assignments are due. All assignments for the semester are already entered into Canvas.

• 11. Attendance - Being in class matters and your attendance will significantly impact your grade. You are allowed 3 absences without any impact to your overall grade. This is the equivalent of 1 week of class. After those 3 absences, each unexcused absence will drop your final grade by 1%. Excused absences will only be granted for school excused activities, DRC Accommodations, or as supported by the Office of Student Outreach and Support. You are responsible for providing/facilitating documentation for school excused absences. Please use your 3 free absences wisely. If you have extenuating circumstances that arise such as emergency surgery, a long term illness, or a death in the family, please be aware you may be eligible for temporary accommodations through the DRC or Office of Student Support.