WEEKLY CLASS TOPICS, AGENDA AND
ASSIGNMENTS
January 16, 2014:
Subjects:
1. Go over syllabus.
2. Meet & Greet:
3. Class discussion: Why should the legal and social work professions collaborate?
Reading Assignment:
None
SOCW 7307-18832 - Spring, 2014
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January 23, 2014:
Subjects:
1. Identifying The Legal Needs And Realizing The Rights Of Social Work
Clients
2. A Conceptual And Historical Framework For Using The Law In Social
Work Practice
3. Is the Supreme Court As A Change Agent For Social, Economic And
Political Justice?
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 1 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 9780-8261-1767-0 (Identifying The Legal Needs And Realizing The Rights Of Social
Work Clients)
2. Chapter 2 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 9780-8261-1767-0 (A Conceptual And Historical Framework For Using The Law In
Social Work Practice)
3. Is the U.S Supreme Court A Social, Economic and Political Change Agent?:
a. PBS NEWS HOUR: Gay Rights Advocates Score Supreme Court
Victories: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhtN_dcMGP8
b. Cato Institute Book Forum Video: Unprecedented: The Constitutional
Challenge to Obamacare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP9h3765yds (running time: 1 ½ hours)
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January 30, 2014:
Subjects:
1. Roles & Ethics
2. Texas Statutes and Administrative Codes governing social workers
Agenda:
1. Roles & Ethics
2. Social Work Statutes and Administrative Code
3. Legal Cases Affecting Social Workers
4. NASW’S Legal Defense Fund Resources For Social Workers
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 3 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer
Publishing Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. Ebook ISBN: 978-0-8261-1767-0
2. Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners Code of Conduct (On
Blackboard)
3. Texas Law For The Social Worker (2010) pp. 33 Through 64
4. Texas Law For The Social Worker (2010) Case Law affecting Social
Workers pp. 255-304
5. LDF’s Third Prong in its Mission: Providing Legal Information for NASW
Members (On Blackboard)
SOCW 7307-18832 - Spring, 2014
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February 6, 2014:
Subjects: The Implicit And Explicit Context Of Social Work Practice & Locating
And Using Legal Sources.
Agenda:
1. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
2. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
3. The Implicit And Explicit Context Of Social Work Practice
4. Tentative: Guest Lecturer & UH Bates College of Law Library Tour: UH
(O’Quinn) Law Library Tour at the Law School & Presentation on Legal
Research
5. SPECIAL REQUEST: STUDENTS SHOULD BRING LAPTOPS FOR CLASS
FOR THIS COMPUTERIZED LEGAL RESEARCH TRAINING
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 4 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 978-08261-1767-0
SOCW 7307-18832 - Spring, 2014
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February 13, 2014:
Subjects:
1. Social Work Functions, Knowledge and Skills in the Legal Context;
2. Child Abuse;
3. Juvenile Justice System
Agenda:
1. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
2. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
3. Social Work Functions, Knowledge and Skills in the Legal Context
4. Juvenile Justice
5. Child Abuse
6. DVD: Justice 101: The Client’s Guide To Litigation: Texas Young Lawyer’s
Association (2007). Running Time: 22 minutes
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 5 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 978-08261-1767-0
2. Texas Attorney General Child Abuse Handbook: “What Can We Do About Child
Abuse (On Blackboard)
3. When You Suspect Child Abuse and Neglect (On Blackboard)
4. NASW Law Note: The Juvenile Justice System (2010) (On Blackboard)
Videos:
1. Healing the Wounds: Navigating the Legal System after Surviving Domestic
Abuse; Texas Young Lawyer’s Association (2008) Running Time: 25 minutes
2. The Little Voice: Recognizing Child Abuse & The Duty To Report It (Texas
Young Lawyer’s Association, 2011) Running Time: 40 minutes
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February 20, 2014:
Subjects:
1. Civil Proceedings, Players And the Client
2. Marriage & Divorce; and,
3. Custody & Support Of Children;
Agenda:
1. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
2. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
3. Civil Proceedings, Players And the Client
4. Video: Kids in the Crossfire: Helping Parents Understand the Impact of
Divorce (TYLA, 2008) Running Time: 22 minutes
5. GUEST PRESENTER: CHRIS A. SPOFFORD, JD. BOARD CERTIFIED IN
FAMILY LAW – HE WILL SPEAK TO YOU ON DIVORCE, CUSTODY AND
SUPPORT
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 6 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 9780-8261-1767-0
2. Texas Court Structure Chart (On Blackboard)
3. United States (Federal Court) System Chart (On Blackboard)
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February 27, 2014:
Subject:
1. Criminal Proceedings, Players And The Client
2. School Social Work and The Education Of Children
Agenda:
1. STUDENTS SUBMIT TOPIC SUMMARY OF FINAL PAPER
ELECTRONICALLY TO PROFESSOR FOR REVIEW
2. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
3. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
4. Criminal Proceedings, Players And The Client
5. School Social Work and The Education Of Children
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 7 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 978-08261-1767-0
2. The Texas Criminal Justice Process (State Bar of Texas-Criminal Justice Section
(On Blackboard)
3. School Social Workers. Enhancing School Success For All Students Brochure
(NASW) (On Blackboard)
4. Special Education Laws and the School Environment (TYLA, 2009) (On
Blackboard)
5. The Constitution At School-Guide For Principals (TYLA, 2009) (On Blackboard)
6. The Constitution At School-Guide For Students (TYLA, 2009) (On Blackboard)
7. Updated Information: Student Privacy Rights and Rights of Student Journalists
(TYLA, 2009) (On Blackboard)
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March 6, 2014:
SUBJECT:
1. Trials And Hearings: General Knowledge And Skills For Civil And Criminal
Proceedings
2. The Adoption Process (On Blackboard)
Agenda:
1. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
2. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
3. Trials And Hearings: General Knowledge And Skills For Civil And Criminal
Proceedings
4. GUEST SPEAKER: Ellen A. Yarrell JD, Board Certified in Family Law,
whose practice primarily centers on adoptions, reproductive rights, same
sex adoptions, GLBT and related issues and will speak to you about these
issues
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 8 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 978-08261-1767-0
2. Foster & Adoption Information Packet (Texas Dept. of Family and Protective
Services “TDFPS”) (On Blackboard)
3. Texas Adoption Law Summary (On Blackboard)
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March 13, 2014: Spring Break
March 20, 2014:
SUBJECT:
1. The Intersection Of Law And Social Work In Civil Proceedings
Agenda:
1. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
2. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
3. Elder Abuse
4. VIDEO: “SAFEGUARDING OUR SENIOR: RECOGNIZING AND REPORTING
ELDER ABUSE”:
http://www.tyla.org/tyla+++++++;/index.cfm/projects/safeguarding-ourseniors/ (Running time: 25 minutes)
5. End Of Life Preventive Legal Care
a. Durable Power of Attorney (property)
b. Medical Power of Attorney
c. Declaration of Mental Health Care
d. Declaration of Guardian
e. DNR
f. Living Will
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 9 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer
Publishing Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book
ISBN: 978-0-8261-1767-0
2. Seniors and The Law (TYLA, October, 2011) (On Blackboard)
3. Texas Probate Passport (TYLA, 2011) (On Blackboard)
4. Texas standard forms for End Of Life Preventive Legal Care will be posted
to Blackboard
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March 27, 2014:
GUEST PRESENTER: CLARINDA COMSTOCK, JD-Practice centers on below
areas of law.
Subject:
1. The Intersection Of Law And Social Work In Criminal Proceedings
2. Commitment and Treatment Of Persons With Mental Disabilities;
3. Competency and Guardianship Of Persons With Mental And Physical
Disabilities
Agenda:
1. STUDENTS SUBMIT COMPLETE BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR FINAL TOPIC PAPER
& PRESENTATION ELECTRONICALLY TO PROFESSOR FOR REVIEW
2. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
3. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 10 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 978-08261-1767-0
2. Commitment To Healing: Involuntary Commitment Procedures (TYLA, 2008) to
be posted to blackboard
3. Mental Health Commitment Summary (2010) to be posted to blackboard
SOCW 7307-18832 - Spring, 2014
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April 3, 2014:
Subject:
1. Alternatives To Traditional Methods Of Addressing Legal And Social
Problems
2. Disclosure Of Professional Communications and Records
3. HIPAA
4. The Affordable Care Act
Agenda:
1. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
2. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 11 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 978-08261-1767-0
2. Texas Law For the Social Worker (2010) pp. 255-308
3. Affordable Healthcare Act Summary: Kaiser Foundation (April 23, 2013):
http://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/8061-021.pdf
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April 10, 2014:
Subject:
1. Administrative Proceedings, Players, And Advocacy Roles
Agenda:
1. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
2. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 12 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 978-08261-1767-0
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April 17, 2014:
Subject:
1. Macro-Level Social Work Practice and Systemic Reform
2. The U.S. Supreme Court As A Social, Political and Economic Change Agent
Agenda:
1. Student Presentation: “Law & Social Work In the News.”
2. Student Presentation: “Legal Issue For the Day”
Reading Assignment:
1. Chapter 13 of SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND THE LAW, Springer Publishing
Company, Slater & Finck, (2012). ISBN: 978-0-8261-1766-3. E-book ISBN: 978-08261-1767-0
April 24, 2014:
TENTATIVE:
1. CLASS TIME FOR RESEARCH AND WRITING FINAL
PAPERS/PREPARATION OF SLIDE PRESENTATION NEXT WEEK
PRESENTATIONS;
2. ALTERNATIVELY PROFESSOR MAY USE CLASS TO FOR MAKE UP
LECTURE
April 29, 2014:
STUDENTS SUBMIT FINAL PAPER AND PRESENTATION TO
PROFESSOR ELECTRONICALLY
May 1, 2014:
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT’S FINAL PRESENTATIONS TO CLASS
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