KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK AND HUMAN SERVICES
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
SW 8820
SOCIAL WORK FORENSICS
Lisa B. Johnson, Ph.D., L.C.S.W
Instructor:
Meeting Time and Location:
Semester Credits:
5/10-5/21 (M-F): 1:00pm-5:30pm
UC 200
3 hrs.
Email Address:
Ljohn120@kennesaw.edu
Phone Number:
678-797-2165
Office:
220 Pilcher Building
Office Hours:
By appointment
REQUIRED TEXTS

Barker, R. and Branson, D. (2000). Forensic Social Work: Legal Aspects of
Professional Practice. Second Edition. New York: Hawthorne Press

Stewards of Children training kit (available only in the KSU Bookstore)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an overview of forensic social work practice and theory. Additionally, it
illustrates skills for working with diverse populations across the lifespan and across diverse
settings, such as community, medical, school, child welfare, mental health and addictions, and
juvenile and criminal justice settings. In addition, all students will participate in a 3 hour sexual
abuse prevention training known as, “Stewards of Children”.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Articulate and apply relevant theoretical frameworks and approaches to client populations
impacted by legal issues.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and processes of the legal system in the
United States and how it impacts social work practice with diverse populations and
settings throughout the life course.
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3. Critically analyze ethical issues and legal issues related to social work and the law.
4. Develop familiarity with the adversarial nature of the legal process and with the civil and
criminal issues and laws that impact client populations.
5. Identify social and legal issues and their relationship to social human rights, social
justice, and social welfare.
6. Demonstrate how to work and advocate on behalf of their clients and learn how social
workers interface with the law, lawyers, & the courts.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
The major cognitive method will be lecture/discussion and speakers. Experiential methods
include group exercises, role-plays, and videotapes as supplements to class materials. Affective
methods include class discussion, papers, and practice with vulnerable clients. Students will be
expected to have read materials before each class meeting and be prepared to discuss reading
assignments. Students will not be able to participate in experiential exercises and class
discussions unless they are present in class. Therefore, class attendance and participation is
imperative.
Academic Integrity Statement
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct,
as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of
Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding
plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials,
misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal,
retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities
and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic
misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary
Program, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a
grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of
Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
If you believe you qualify for course adaptations or special accommodations under the
Americans with Disabilities Act, it is your responsibility to contact the disAbled Student Support
Services office in the Student Development Center and provide the appropriate documentation. If
you have already documented a disability or other condition that would qualify you for special
accommodations, or if you have emergency medical information or special needs I should know
about, please notify me during the first week of class. You can reach me by phone or e-mail, or
you can schedule an appointment to meet with me.
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Statement of Diversity and Nondiscrimination
Discriminatory and harassing behaviors are reprehensible and will not be tolerated at Kennesaw
State University Master of Social Work Program. As they subvert the mission of the University
and the MSW program, violate social work code of ethics, and threaten the careers, educational
experiences and well being of students, faculty and staff. The University and the MSW program
will not tolerate behaviors between or among members of the University community, which
create an unacceptable working environment. Similarly, the Instructor will tolerate neither
discriminatory nor harassing behaviors between or among students enrolled in the course. The
program promotes an atmosphere of inclusion, non-judgmental, and empowerment.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
INCOMPLETE POLICY- A grade of Incomplete or “I” will not be given unless the student
contacts the instructor and makes special arrangements for making up the required work. Only
emergency situations that prohibit a student from completing the course will warrant a grade of
“I”. Therefore, it will not be given automatically.
ATTENDANCE POLICY- Students are expected to attend each and every class and to arrive
on time. Roll will be taken regularly. Students are allowed to miss one class without penalty.
After one absence, you will lose 5% of your attendance/participation grade for each additional
day missed. Students do not need to notify the professor regarding the reason for their
absence(s). Be aware that tardiness will also affect your final grade. Please turn off all cell
phones and pagers during class.
MAKE-UP POLICY- Make-up exams, as a rule, will not be permitted. Only in extraordinary
circumstances this may be considered. If a make-up exam is warranted, it will be an essay exam.
ASSIGNMENTS POLICY- All written assignments must be uploaded to
http://www.turnitin.com*. All assignments will need to be uploaded by the start of class on the
scheduled due date. Please be sure to print out your electronic receipt and keep it as a record of
the time that you turned it in. Since this is a Maymester, late assignments will not be accepted!!
All papers must be completed per APA 5th edition guidelines (see www.apastyle.org). That
includes, but is not limited to, using double-spacing, as well as standard fonts (Times New
Roman 12) and margins (1 inch on all sides). Page number requirements do not include the
cover page, reference pages or appendices**.
For all assignments: References counted as ‘required’ include ONLY peer reviewed journal
articles or book chapters published from a scholarly press (such as Columbia University Press,
Free Press, Allyn & Bacon, etc. [ask if you are not sure]). Other references may be utilized;
however, they do not count as a required reference.
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*IMPORTANT: In order to submit assignments you will need the following class ID: 3267099
and enrollment password: forensics
** The KSU Writing Center is a free service offered to all KSU students. Experienced, friendly
writing assistants work with you throughout the writing process on concerns such as topic
development, revision, research, documentation, grammar, and mechanics. Rather than edit your
paper for you, writing assistants will help you learn strategies to become a better writer on your
own. For more information or to make an appointment (appointments are strongly encouraged),
visit http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter, or stop by Room 242 in the English
Building.
CRITERIA FOR STUDENT EVALUATION
Progress will be evaluated utilizing the following criteria:
Class attendance and participation
Research Paper
Mid-term exam
Final Exam
Presentation of Case
10%
30%
25%
25%
10%
100%
Course grades will be assigned on the basis of:
A = 89.5% or greater
B = 79.5% - 89.49%
C = 69.5% - 79.49%
D = 59.5% - 69.49%
F = Below 59.49%
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Class
1
Date
5/10
2
5/11
3
5/12
4
5/13
5
5/14
6
5/17
7
5/18
8
5/19
COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS (Tentative)
Topic
Assigned Readings
Course Overview
Chs. 1,2
Introduction to Forensic Social Work
History of Forensic Social Work
Practice of Forensic Social Work
Testifying in Courtrooms
Chs. 3,4
Guest Speaker: CASA and Court System
(1:30pm-3:30pm)
Ava Lipscomb
CASA
Forensic Social Work in Various Practice Settings
Guest Speaker: Victim Assistance
(1:00pm-2:30pm)
Esther Chong, MSW
Victim-Witness Advocate
Malpractice and How to Avoid It
Ch. 5
Guest Speakers: Faces of Child Maltreatment
(1:30pm-3:00pm)
Dr. Stephen Messner, Pediatrician with Child
Protection Team at CHOA
Rachelle Carnesale, Attorney and Director of the GA
Child Fatality Review
Exam One (Chapters 1-5)
Research topic,
outline and list of
sources due
When Laws and Ethics Collide
Chs. 6, 7
Preparing for Litigation
Forensic Interviewing Best Practices
Documentary: Deliver Us From Evil: Innocence and
Faith Betrayed (2:00pm-4:00pm)
Stewards of Children Training (1:00pm-4:00pm):
Co-facilitators: Dr. J and Leah Elliott, MSW
Professional Review; Judgment by Colleagues
Case Recording and Written Contracts
Guest Speaker: Forensic Interviews
(3:00pm-4:00pm):
Amy Economopolis
Anna Crawford Childrens Center
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Chs. 8, 9
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5/20
10
5/21
Legal and Professional Credentials
Guest Speaker: Expert Testimony
(1:30pm-3:00pm)
Andrew Gothard, Psy.D.
Atlanta Psychological Services
Test Two (Chapters 6-10)
Graduate Student Presentations
Final Papers Due
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Ch. 10
ASSIGNMENTS
The following activities will be completed during the semester with points given for each course
requirement. Grading will be based on a total of 100 possible percentage points accrued by the end
of the course.
(a) Class Participation (10 percent)
Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in class discussion, roleplay exercises, small groups, etc. Emphasis is placed not only on familiarity with assigned reading,
but also on the student's creativity in identification of issues and proposed solutions.
(b) Research Paper (30 percent)
One group research paper (10 pages in length) will be required. The research topic, outline,
and list of sources will be due on 5/14. The final paper will be due on 5/21. No late papers
will be accepted. Failure to cite relevant sources (10 sources) will result in no credit being
given for quality of research (35% of research paper grade). Additional information and
requirements will be posted on GeorgiaVIEW. The paper will be graded as follows:
Significance of the issue to the course topic:
20%
(must be related to forensic social work)
Quality of research apparent in the paper:
35%
Clarity in identifying the issue and discussion:
35%
Adherence to Publication manual of the American
Psychological Association.
10%
Total: 100%.
(C) Examinations (25 percent each)
Objective examinations will be given as a mid-term and final examination. The tests may
include true/false, multiple choice, and/or essay questions.
(D) Additional Class Presentation for Graduate Students (10 percent)
Students may work in a team of up to three individuals for this PowerPoint presentation. You
will need to study and present a law, proceeding, policy, statute or case relevant to forensic
social work. Students will need to address: who, what, where, why, status, and outcome(s).
Presentations should be 15 minutes in length and focus on the social worker’s role within the
case (or how the relevant law would affect a social worker’s role in the case). PowerPoint
presentations should be emailed to the instructor by 9:00pm the day prior to presenting (and
also uploaded on to GeorgiaVIEW).
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Allen-Meares, Paula. (1995). Social Work with Children and Adolescents. New
York: Longman Publishers.
Ammerman, R. and Hersen M. (1997). Handbook of Prevention and Treatment with
Children and Adolescents: Intervention in the Real World. John Wiley and Sons.
Bloomquist, M. and Schnell, S. (2002). Helping children with aggression and conduct
problems. Best practices for intervention. New York: Guilford Press
Boik Labovitz, Barbara and Goodwin, Anna E. (2000). Sandplay Therapy: A Step By
Step Manual for Psychotherapists of Diverse Orientations. New York: W.W. Norton and Co.
Boyd-Webb, N. (2003). Social Work Practice with Children. Guilford Press.
Bromfield, Richard.(1992). Playing for Real: The World of A Child Therapist. New
York: Penguin, Dutton Book.
Chicchetti, D. and Toth, S. (1998). Developmental Perspectives on Trauma: the
Rochester Symposium. University of Rochester Press.
Cohen, N.J. (2001). Language impairment and psychopathology in infants, children and
adolescents: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. New York: Guilford Press.
Coyle, J.T. (2000). Psychotropic drug use in very young children. Journal of the
American Medical Association, 283, 1156.
Davis Fishman, Kathrine. (1995). Behind the One-Way Mirror: Psychotherapy and
Children. Batam Books.
Fraser, M. (1997). Risk and Resilience in Childhood: An Ecological Perspective.
NASW Press.
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Malchiodi, Cathy A. (1998).Understanding Children’s Drawings. New York: The
Guilford Press.
Malekoff, A. (1997). Group Work with Adolescents. Guilford Press.
Mash, E. and Barkley, R. (1998). Treatment of Childhood Disorders. Guilford Press.
Steinberg, L. (2004). The ten basic principles of good parenting. New York: Simon and
Schuster.
Timberlake, E. and Cutler, M. (2002). Developmental play therapy in clinical social
work. Needham heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon
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COURSE SYLLABUS REVIEW STATEMENT AND SIGNATURE FORM
I have carefully read the syllabus for HS 4490/SW 8707and have had the opportunity to ask the
instructor any questions that I may have about it. I understand its contents, including the course
requirements and grading policy.
_______________________________________________________
Print Name
_______________________________________________________
Signature
_________________________
Date
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