Mississippi College Department of Sociology and Social Work
SWK 209 Contemporary Social Problems
Fall 2013 Course Syllabus
Course Title
SWK 209 Contemporary Social Problems
Course Credit
3 semester credit hours
Instructor
Professor: Mary T. Johnston, LMSW
Office: Jennings Hall 114
Phone: 601 925.3831(W); 601 668-6399 (C)
Office Hours: TBA
Required Textbook(s)
Mooney, Linda A., Knox, David. And Schacht, Caroline. Understanding Social
Problems. West Publishing Company: St. Paul, MN. 8th edition. 2013. ISBN: 978-1111-83448-7.
Course Description
A study of theoretical approaches to social problems with special emphasizes on such
specific problems as deviance, crime, delinquency, prejudice and discrimination,
sexual experiences and mental illnesses.
Course Rationale
To provide as an elective (required for Social Work majors) an opportunity for
students to achieve competence in understanding current social issues by stimulating
their intellectual, spiritual, social and emotional development through first hand
service experience and critical thinking thus preparing them to perform successfully
in
professional and career enterprises, and to utilize their skills, talents and abilities in
service to God and fellow man.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Social Work Program are consistent with the Educational Policy
of Council on Social Work Education. Program objectives include:
1.1. apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work
practice
1.2. understand the value base of the profession, its ethical standards, principles, and
practice accordingly
1.3. practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to
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client’s age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital
status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation
1.4. understand and interpret the history of the social work profession, its
contemporary structures and issues
1.5. apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice systems of all
sizes
1.6. use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice
2.1. evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their
own practice interventions
3.1. identify and evaluate social problems
3.2. analyze, formulate, and influence social policies
3.3. function within the structure of organizations, service delivery systems and seek
necessary organizational change
3.4. use communication skills differently across client populations, colleagues, and
communities
4.1. understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression, discrimination, and
apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance soc
Course Objectives
A. To gain an understanding of various social problems on the individual, group, and
societal levels. Meets CSWE EP as evidenced by the Weekly Forum/Connections
questions and the Research Paper and/or Volunteer Project.
B. To examine various theories regarding human behavior, deviance, and
relationships. Meets CSWE EP as evidenced by the Weekly Forum/Connections
questions and the Research Paper and/or Volunteer Project.
C. To provide the opportunity for examination and discussion of various problems in
a safe environment. Meets CSWE EP as evidenced by the Weekly
Forum/Connections questions.
D. To analyze and develop proposals to ameliorate discrimination based on gender,
age, race, and ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. Meets CSWE EP as
evidenced by the Weekly Forum/Connections questions and the Research Paper
and/or Volunteer Project.
E. To pursue a sociological awareness of “warning signs” that indicate
unacceptable/harmful/criminal deviance, and to construct preventive measures to
counteract the behavior. Meets CSWE EP as evidenced by the Weekly
Forum/Connections questions and the Research Paper and/or Volunteer Project.
F. To develop an appreciation of the role of values and ethics in analyzing social
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problem development and resolution through the Social Work Profession. Meets
CSWE EP as evidenced by the Weekly Forum/Connections questions and the
Research Paper and/or Volunteer Project.
Course Requirements
 First Exam
 Second Exam
 Third Exam
 Final Exam
 Weekly Forum
 Weekly quizzes
 Research Project or
 Community Volunteer Project
12% of final grade
12% of final grade
12% of final grade
12% of final grade
20% of final grade
12% of final grade
20% of final grade
Course Requirements Due Dates
 Weekly Forum/Connections
 Weekly Quizzes
 First Exam
 Deadline for choosing Volunteer Project
 Second Exam
 Topic Approval for Research Paper
 Bibliography for Research Paper
 Outline for Research Paper
 Third Exam
 Research Paper or Volunteer Project
 Final Exam
Weekly
Weekly from Thursday-Saturday
September 26-28
October 2
October 17-19
October 23
November 6
November 13
November 14-16
November 20
December 10
Grading Scale
93 -100 = A
84 – 92 = B
75 – 83 = C
70 – 74 = D
Below 70 = F
Tests feature a variety of examination formats such as multiple choice, true/false,
listing, short answer and essay with a multiple choice preference. Students are
responsible for content in assigned text. Additionally, students are responsible for
class handouts, class discussion, class exercises, films, student presentations and
lectures that supplement readings in text.
Academic Integrity and Honesty
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. Please refer to the current
year’s Mississippi College Undergraduate Catalog at
http://catalog.mc.edu.
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Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else's information as though it were
your own. If you use the words or ideas of another person; or if you use material
from any source-- whether a book, journal, magazine, newspaper, business
publication, broadcast, speech, electronic media, or any other source--you must
acknowledge that source. Plagiarism on the papers/presentations will result in
the student not receiving credit for the assignment(s).
Statements on Cheating on the Exams:
You are on your honor not to cheat during the exams. Cheating means:
 Looking up any answer or part of an answer in an unauthorized textbook or on the
Internet, or using any other source to find the answer.
 Copying and pasting or in any way copying responses or parts of responses from
any other source into your online test. This includes but is not limited to copying and
pasting from other documents or spreadsheets, whether written by yourself or anyone
else.
 Plagiarizing answers.
 Asking anyone else to assist you by whatever means available while you take the
exam.
 Copying any part of the exam to share with other students.
 Telling your professor that you need another attempt at the exam because your
connection to the Internet was interrupted when that is not true.
If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will
be declared invalid, and you could fail the course.
Statement of Disability Accommodation
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, he or she must schedule an individual meeting with
the Director of Student Counseling Services (SCS) immediately upon recognition of
their disability (if their disability is known they must come in before the semester
begins or make an appointment immediately upon receipt of their syllabi for the new
semester). The student must bring with them written documentation from a medical
physician and/or licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If the student has
received prior accommodations, they must bring written documentation of those
accommodations (example Individualized Education Plan from the school system).
Documentation must be current (within 3 years). The student must meet with SCS
face-to face and also attend two (2) additional follow up meetings (one mid semester
before or after midterm examinations and the last one at the end of the semester).
Please note that the student may also schedule additional meetings as needed for
support through SCS as they work with their professor throughout the semester. Note:
Students must come in each semester to complete their Individualized
Accommodation Plan (example: MC student completes fall semester IAP plan and
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even if student is a continuing student for the spring semester they must come in
again to complete their spring semester IAP plan).
Student Counseling Services is located in Alumni Hall Room #4 or they may be
contacted via email at christia@mc.edu or rward@mc.edu. You may also reach them
by phone at 601-925-7790.
Statement of Compliance
Please refer to the Year Mississippi College Undergraduate Catalog for further
information on the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, and Title IX.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Within the university’s structure as a faith-based university, the Social Work Program
and faculty makes continuous efforts to promote, demonstrate professional behavior
and maintain a strong value base with regard to diversity, equality, and social justice.
Students are admitted to MC and the Social Work program without regard to race,
ethnicity, gender, age, creed, physically challenging conditions, political philosophy,
or sexual orientation. The Social Work program embraces the University’s policies on
non-discrimination as exemplified in the 2013-2014 Mississippi College
Undergraduate Catalog:
In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
Mississippi College does not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, gender, age, disability, or military service in admissions, in the
administration of its education policies, programs, and activities or in employment.
Under federal law, the university may exercise religious preferences in employment
in order to fulfill its mission and purpose.
Course Outline:
I. Basic Concepts
-Social Problem
-Elements of social structure and culture
-Sociological imagination
-Theoretical perspectives
-Social problems research
II. Social Problem Areas
-Illness and Health Issues
-Alcohol and Other Drugs
-Crime and Violence
-Family Problems
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-Youth and Aging
-Sexual Orientation
-Gender Inequality
-Racial, Ethnicity and Immigration
-Wealth and Poverty
-Crisis in Education
-Environmental Problems
-Conflict, War, and Terrorism
III. Part of the Problem or Part of the Solutions
-Exploration of Alternatives to problem resolution
-Implications for Social Workers
Description of Assignments
1. Weekly Forum/Connection responses: Meets CSWE EP 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3;
2.1.14; 2.1.5; 2.1.7; 2.1.8 Due Date: Weekly
Communication with your professor and fellow students is a critical component of
online learning. Participation in online class discussions involves two distinct
activities: an initial response or connection to the chapter you have just read and at
least two subsequent comments on classmates' responses. This means that a total of
three responses a week is required.
You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation, including
your use of relevant course information to support your point of view, and your
awareness of and responses to the postings of your classmates. Remember, these are
discussions. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited,
mature, and respectful.
PARTICIPATION / CONNECTION RESPONSES: By participating in class, the
class will become more interesting and rewarding as more students actively share
their ideas. Furthermore, the group discussion will be a safe place to share ideas.
The rules of the group do not allow group members to put another person down for
their idea. I will respect you and I expect you to respect me and the other group
members. I also expect you to have carefully read the assigned chapter before you
post your response.
The way in which you participate is by following the instructions in your course
schedule. The idea here is to first read the assigned chapter and then post your
connection response. Each connection should have a main idea and several
supporting statements. Please use single space and in 12 point character size.
Each connection response should reflect how your own feelings, thoughts, and
experiences relate SPECIFICALLY to a major concept from the chapter. You
can also talk about how concepts (connections) from other readings (web sites) relate
to a concept in your assigned reading. It is critical that you title each connection
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response with your name and the chapter that you are responding to.
Connections help students find meaning in what they read. The process of making
connections to the main concepts in the reading helps with remembering the concepts.
If you can remember a concept, you can then apply that knowledge in your life. I
suggest that, as a way of studying, you make connections with the major concepts as
you read. This is a more active way to learn and is very different from rote
memorizing.
These connection responses are not a summary of the reading. No credit is
provided for a summary of the reading. All of these responses must be substantial
including the two responses of your classmates. Meaningful participation is relevant
to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree"
and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree
or disagree with a classmate or your professor, state and support your position.
You will receive your grade for participation at the mid-point of the semester and at
the end of the course. It is based on what you bring to the course with regard to your
connection responses and your responses to other persons' connection responses. You
will be able to determine the student who puts his or her heart into the discussion in
contrast to the student who provides very little to the group. In addition, you will be
able to see other students' connection responses which will help you to improve your
own responses. You do not need to ask me how you are doing with regard to the
connection responses; I will let you know if you are not doing them correctly. The
maximum score for participation is 100. If you choose not to participate in the
Connection Responses, your score for participation will be 0. The course has a total
of 14 weekly Connection Responses.
2. Weekly Quizzes-Each week students will be tested on the chapter assigned from
the current week. Meets CSWE EP 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 2.1.5; 2.1.7 Quizzes will be
open to take from Thursday at 12:01AM (Wednesday at midnight) until Saturday
at 11:59PM of each week.
3. Research Paper: Meets CSWE EP 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 2.1.5; 2.1.6; 2.1.7
*Deadlines for the research paper:
*Topic Approval: October 23
*Bibliography: November 6
*Paper Outline: November 13
*Research Paper: November 20 (One point penalty/day for each day the paper is late;
5 points penalty/day after the 7th day.)
OR
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3. One can choose to do the Community Volunteer Project instead of the Research
Paper. Meets CSWE EP 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 2.1.4; 2.1.5; 2.1.7; 2.1.8; 2.1.9; 2.1.10
The Community Volunteer Project is a total of 20 hours of volunteer work in a local
agency. Please connect with Mississippi College’s Community Service Center ,
Shari Barnes, at 601 925-3267 to get a list of agencies and to register your service
with the Center.
RESEARCH PAPER CRITERIA / CHECK LIST:
1. The following criteria provide a description of the requirements and
guidelines for completing the research paper. The research paper must
conform to the criteria listed below.
2. Use this list as a check off for your paper:
3. Five to six pages in total length-1250-1500 words (body of paper)
4. Typed & double spaced
5. 1" margins on all sides
6. 12 point character size / Times New Roman font
7. You must use at least 5 references (journal articles & book chapters)
8. APA style: (citing sources & references) I will not accept a paper that DOES
NOT has the cited sources in the body of the paper and the list of references at
the end of the paper. There are many APA Style web sites online.
9. Popular magazines will not be accepted for your paper, for example, Reader's
Digest, Life, Parents, Prevention, etc.
10. You may also use as many scholarly books (books with cited references) as
you need. If you are in doubt about a book, you need to have the book
approved by your instructor. Your textbook can be used as one of your
references.
11. You may use the Internet to search but they need to be reliable sources, not a
blog.
12. You must gain approval of your topic through your instructor.
13. One point will be subtracted for each day the paper is late, 5 points each day
after the 7th day of being late.
14. Scholastic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will result in a grade of “F” for
the assignment and possibly the course.
15. Research papers should have the following: A title page, the 5-6 pages of text,
and the reference page.
16. You will need to electronically submit the paper through Moodle/Turnitin to
me by the deadline.
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE RESEARCH PAPER:
The "A/B" paper:
1. A clear central idea that relates directly to the assigned topic
2. A clear organizational plan, meaning a well-organized introductory
paragraph that indicates to your reader knows where you are going in
your paper. The introductory paragraph indicates what you will be talking
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about in your paper.
3. No weakly developed paragraphs (detailed, well-supported)
4. A solid introduction with clearly stated thesis.
5. Major points are developed logically and are supported with concrete,
specific evidence or details that arouse the reader's interest.
6. Most paragraphs show strong development (details, examples)
7. Strong topic sentences
8. Essentially free from mechanical errors (run-ons and fragments)
9. No serious grammatical errors
10. Ideas are expressed freshly and vividly
11. A solid conclusion with a strong final comment
The "C" paper:
1. Meets only the basic criteria, and those in a minimal way
2. A central idea related directly to the assigned topic and presented with
sufficient clarity that the reader is aware of the writer's purpose.
3. Organization is clear enough for the reader to perceive the writer's
plan. However, the introductory paragraph does not specifically indicate
where you are going in your paper.
4. Paragraphs coherently present some evidence or details to substantiate
the points.
5. Lapses in the organizational pattern or the use of transitional devices.
6. Writer uses ordinary, everyday words accurately
7. Generally avoids both the monotony created by series of choppy,
simple sentences and the incoherence caused by long, tangled sentences.
8. Although the essay may contain a few serious grammatical errors and
several mechanical errors, they are not of sufficient severity or frequency
to obscure the sense of what the writer is saying.
9. Supporting examples from the assigned reading are evident, but are
generally not used adequately throughout the essay or may be
inadequately developed.
10. Writing may contain some extraneous or loosely related material.
The '"D/F"' paper: has any one of the following problems to an
extraordinary degree or it has several to a limited degree:
1. Lacks a central idea
2. Lacks a clear organizational plan
3. Does not develop its points or develops them in a repetitious,
incoherent, or illogical way
4. Does not relate directly to the assigned topic; there may be little, if
any, development of supporting examples from the assigned reading
5. Contains several serious grammatical errors
6. Contains a limited vocabulary so that the words chosen frequently do
not serve the writer's purpose
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7. It is simply (or essentially) a summary of the reading assignment or
the essay is so brief that the reader cannot make an accurate judgment of
the writer's ability.
Community Volunteer Project Criteria
1. Notify your professor that you have chosen to do the community
volunteer project instead of the research paper by October 2.
2. Choose a community social service agency through the Mississippi
College’s Community Service Center , Shari Barnes, at 601 9253267.
3. Register your service with Mississippi College’s Community Service
Center.
4. A form is to be filled out (given by your professor) by your
supervisor at the Agency and returned to the professor at the end of
your 20 hours of volunteer service.
5. Completion of the 20 hours of volunteer at Agency and the form
signed by supervisor by November 20.
3. EXAMINATIONS: First Exam: September 26-28; Second Exam: October
17-19; Third Exam: November 14-16; Final Exam:Tuesday, December 10-12.
1. There will be four multiple choice and true/false EXAMS. Each exam is
scored on a 100 points scale.
2. You will primarily be tested on the assigned readings. You will not be tested
heavily on the video lectures / lessons. The video lessons provide additional
clarification and real-life examples of many of the concepts in the reading.
3. Each online exam will consist between 50 questions. Each online exam will
have a time limit. You will be notified of the amount of time when you start your
exam. You will have approximately 1minute per test item. Do not skip any
questions. If you do, the question will be counted as incorrect. There is no penalty
for guessing. For test security reasons, the exams are not released for review.
Once you open the test DO NOT close it prematurely. Once you leave the test
site, you cannot reopen it.
4. All exams will be taken online. You are not allowed to use your notes on the
exams. The exams are timed (approximately 1minute per test item) so you will
not have much time to look up the answers. In other words, you will need to know
the information well before you take the online exams. However, you may not
have another person with you at the time that you are taking one of the
online exams. If there is indication that you received help during an online
exam, the penalty will be an F in the assignment and possibly in the course.
5. Please review the test dates in this course schedule. If your schedule cannot
accommodate these dates and times, you will need to drop this course and find a
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course that will work with your schedule. No exams will be given after the
deadlines posted in your course schedule with the exception of a true emergency
such as death in the family or serious illness. In such a case you must provide
documentation from a physician or psychologist indicating that you were not able
to complete the final exam.
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