Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
SOWK 101 Course Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
SOWK 101
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare is a course that gives an overview of the field of
social work practice. Topics regarding the ecclesiastical beginnings of the profession, additional
historical components, the integration of faith and practice, as well as social work values and
ethics will be explored.
RATIONALE
Introduction to Social Work offers the student a broad overview of the practice of generalist
social work. The student interested in pursuing the attainment of a Bachelor’s in Science in
Social Work as well as those with interest in learning about the field will be presented with the
foundational knowledge of the field. This course will examine the knowledge, values, and skills
of the field of social work from a Christ-centered point of view.
I.
PREREQUISITE
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
IV.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Office
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A.
Apply the NASW and the IFSW/IASSW Codes of Ethics to practice situations.
B.
Practice personal reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional
development.
C.
Engage in career-long learning.
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SOWK 101 Course Syllabus
V.
D.
Critique and apply knowledge to understand person and environment.
E.
Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including
research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom.
F.
Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference
in shaping life experiences.
G.
Integrate faith and social work practice.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will
complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (3)
Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is
required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum.
Each thread must be 250–300 words, integrate at least 1 biblical principle, and
demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is
required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100
words.
D.
Background Check
The student will purchase a background check from American Databank and then
submit proof of purchase to Blackboard.
E.
Reaction Paper
The student will write a 5-page reaction paper to a poverty experience utilizing
the textbooks as reference points. (MLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
F.
Missions Paper
The student will write a paper of at least 3 pages analyzing international secular
social work and social work provided by mission agencies. The student will
address the differences in mission statements and service delivery. (MLO: B, C,
D, E, G)
G.
Biblical Basis Project
a.
Draft
The student will be assigned books of the Bible to research regarding the
biblical basis and guidelines for helping the poor and needy. The student will
utilize the Bible and at least 3 other sources (books or articles) when
developing this project. The reference page must be in current APA format.
All sources listed on the reference page must be referred to in the project.
(MLO: C, E, G)
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SOWK 101 Course Syllabus
b. Final Submission
The student will utilize the information found in his/her research to creatively
present the material in a video format of 8–10 minutes. The presentation must
include a discussion of the themes the student found in his/her assigned books
of the bible regarding helping the poor and needy. (MLO: C, E, G)
H.
Quizzes
Each quiz will cover the Reading & Study material for the assigned module/week.
Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and
true/false questions, and have a 15-minute time limit. (MLO: C, E)
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (3 at 50 pts ea)
Background Check
Initial Submission
Results Submission
Reaction Paper
Missions Paper
Biblical Basis Project
Draft
Final Submission
Quizzes (8 at 10 pts ea)
10
150
0
50
200
150
Total
B.
70
300
80
1010
Scale
A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
course will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
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SOWK 101 Course Syllabus
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
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SOWK 101 Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
SOWK 101
Textbooks: Keith-Lucas, So You Want to be a Social Worker (1985).
Segal et al., An Introduction to the Profession of Social Work (2016).
Yankoski, Under the Overpass (2005).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
ASSIGNMENTS
1
Keith-Lucas: chs. 1–3
Segal et al.: chs. 1–2
2 presentations
1 resource
1 website
Course Requirements Checklist
Class Introductions
Background Check: Initial Submission
Quiz 1
10
0
0*
10
2
Keith-Lucas: chs. 4–5
Segal et al.: ch. 3
Yankoski: Sections 1–4
3 presentations
2 resources
DB Forum 1
Quiz 2
50
10
3
Keith-Lucas: chs. 6–7
Segal et al.: ch. 4
Yankoski: Sections 5–8
4 presentations
Reaction Paper
Quiz 3
200
10
4
Keith-Lucas: chs. 8–9
Segal et al.: chs. 5–6
2 presentations
1 resource
Missions Paper
Quiz 4
150
10
5
Keith-Lucas: ch. 10
Segal et al.: chs. 7–8
1 presentation
1 resource
DB Forum 2
Quiz 5
50
10
6
Segal et al.: chs. 9–10
1 presentation
DB Forum 3
Quiz 6
50
10
POINTS
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SOWK 101 Course Schedule
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
7
Segal et al.: chs. 11–12
2 presentations
Biblical Basis Project: Draft
Quiz 7
8
Segal et al.: chs. 13–14
1 presentation
1 resource
Background Check: Results
Submission
Biblical Basis Project: Final
Submission
Quiz 8
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
TOTAL
70
10
50*
300
10
1010
DB = Discussion Board
*Failure to submit these assignments will result in the failure of the course.
NOTE: Each course module/week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00
a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at
11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
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