Whittier College Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work
SOWK 245: Legal Issues in Social Work
January 2015
Instructor:
Class Location:
Day/Time:
Office Hours:
Office:
Mail Box:
Telephone:
Email:
Tina Ibanez Yates, J.D.
Science 304
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.***Outreach Days,
January 14, 2015 1:30-6 p.m. & January 23, 2015 1:30-6:00
p.m.
By appointment only. I am usually available immediately after
class.
Platner 213
Platner Hall Reception Area
Daytime: 562-907-4390 (leave a message with Olivia)
Tyates@whittier.edu
Whittier College Social Work Program Mission Statement:
The Whittier College undergraduate Social Work Program seeks to prepare diverse
students to become self-reflective, compassionate, ethical, knowledgeable, and skilled
generalist social workers; social workers who are committed to life long learning. We
prepare students to practice in the aid and empowerment of diverse groups, particularly
vulnerable and oppressed communities. We work for the advancement of human rights in
local, national, and global environments.
Affirming the historical roots and mission of Whittier College, the Social Work Program
provides learning experiences that inspire students to become advocates for peace and
social and economic justice. Student learning is a combination of “knowing” and “doing”
grounded in the liberal arts foundation, interdisciplinary, research-based knowledge, and
problem solving. We value generalist skill development that prepares reflective social
work practitioners dedicated to promoting human well-being and shaping and nurturing
the profession for the twenty-first century.
Understanding Generalist Social Work Practice:
Generalist social work practitioners promote human well being for both diverse and
oppressed groups in individual, family, group, organizational, community, and global
settings. They utilize self-awareness, critical thinking, evidence-based knowledge,
professional values, and a wide range of skills to collaborate with others to create lifeaffirming changes. Generalist social work practitioners, under supervision, engage in
social justice practice through interactive phases of change which include:
1. Engagement: collaborating with clients/partners to promote helping
relationships;
2. Teaching & learning: a mutual process of discovering client/partner strengths
and challenges and planning for strategic change;
1
3. Action & accompaniment: working together with clients/partners to create and
support meaningful change;
4. Evaluation & critical reflection: assessing the process with clients/partners and
reflecting on the personal and professional experience; and
5. Celebration and new engagements: affirming success and planning with
clients/partners for sustained growth and further change.
Reference: Finn, J.L. & Jacobson, M. (2003). Just Practice. Peosta, Iowa: Eddie
Bowers Publishing Co., Inc.
Course Description:
This introductory course will provide students with a basic understanding of the laws,
legal processes, and legal systems relating to social work practice in the context of social
welfare, and the variety of ways that social work practice and law intersect. Topics to be
addressed will include, but are not limited to human rights, discrimination, social
services, juvenile delinquency, criminal justice and child welfare. Because most topics
in this course could be expanded to a full semester of study, students should view this
course as a broad foundation for further exploration and growth. We will compare and
contrast the ethical duties of social workers and attorneys, particularly in the context of
collaborative efforts between the two professions.
Course Objectives:
1.
Enable students to identify the impact the legal system has on the social worker
and his/her clients, as well as the social worker’s role in the legal system;
2.
Provide students with a basic understanding of the structure and processes of the
legal system in the United States;
3.
Introduce students to legal reasoning, legal analysis, critical thinking and
advocacy through written and oral communication;
4.
Explore current social and legal controversies, particularly those relating to social
justice and welfare issues within the United States and globally;
5.
Encourage students to think critically about ethical issues related to social work
and the law. We will review portions of the National Association of Social
Workers (NASW) code of ethics and the Rules of Professional Conduct that guide
the ethical responsibilities of attorneys in California;
2
6.
To work collaboratively with outside social service agencies such as Los Angeles
Public Counsel in the Connecting Angelinos to Resources and Essential Services
(“CARES”).
7.
To be aware of ways in which social workers can assist in the protection of and
advocacy for clients through work with social institutions and practitioners of law.
Statement of Need:
Students with any disability, either permanent or temporary, who need accommodations
to meet the requirements of this class are encouraged to discuss their confidential needs
with the course instructor as soon as possible. Adaptation of methods, materials, or
testing may be made for equitable participation.
Contractual Understanding:
While this syllabus constitutes a contract between the instructor and the students, the
terms of the contract are subject to change in order to accommodate unforeseen
events/concerns and promote flexibility in learning and teaching. Such changes will be
discussed openly in class and students will be informed of them in a timely fashion.
Cell Phone & Texting Policy
As a member of a learning community, each student has a responsibility to each other as
members of that community. When cell phones are used in class, including receiving
and/or sending text messages, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the use by students of cell
phones, PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes is
prohibited. All such devices must be turned off or put on silent (vibrate) mode and
should not be taken out during class.
If for some reason you are expecting an emergency call and/or text, please notify me
before class and I can make an exception depending on the circumstance.
We will have a break half way through class so that you can check your messages and/or
respond to them accordingly.
Course Format:
The course is a combination of lecture, films, discussion (debates), exams, and field
activities. Your participation in this class is essential to a successful learning
environment. These are some of the ways other students have been successful in
achieving the course outcomes:
 Student-initiated/led class discussions and debates
3





Reading all assigned materials before class so that you can fully engage, reflect
and participate in class discussions.
I will cover only major components of the reading materials so it is up to you to
make the necessary connections between the lectures, class discussions and
assigned readings.
Thoughtfully completing drafts and final copies of writing assignments
Personal reflections of how the materials relate to you
Guest educators sharing practice experience
Required Moodle Access:
You must activate your Whittier College Moodle account for this class. I will post
assignments and handouts on the class Moodle cite. It is your responsibility to check
Moodle to fully participate in this class. Additionally, I will use email to communicate
with you about important information pertaining to the course through Moodle.
Required Readings:
Textbook: Rome, S.H. (2013). Social work and law: Judicial policy and forensic
practice. Boston: Pearson.
You can rent the text for $46.99 at:
http://www.coursesmart.com/IR/2024798/9780205776900?__hdv=6.8
Or purchase an on-line e-copy through www.pearsonhighered.com
Handouts:
Additional readings will come from various handouts provided during the course.
4
Grading:
Your final grade in this course will be comprised of the following1:
1. Attendance
10%
2. Participation
10%
3. Journals/Homework Tasks
20%
4. CARES project
100 points (30%)
5. Final
100 points (30%)
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance: We will be meeting approximately fourteen (14) class sessions and
will have a few outside field trips. Thus, your attendance and participation in all
class sessions and field trips are mandatory. A sign-in sheet will be sent around
each class period. Understanding that life happens, students can miss one (1) class
ONLY due to illness, work, etc. For each additional absence beginning with the
second absence, regardless of the reason, your attendance score will be reduced
by 10 points for each absence. (Remember, your attendance counts for 10% of
your total grade). Excused absences are at the SOLE discretion of Professor
Yates. They are unlikely to be given barring extenuating circumstances. As this
is a four-unit course, we will move quickly through the material and for each day
you are absent, you will be missing approximately 7% of the course. Your
attendance is necessary. You are responsible for obtaining any homework
assignments/tasks if you are absent, including the reading assignments. Being
absent on a given day only gives you one day to turn in any missing work that
was due. Your attendance accounts for 10% of your overall grade.
2. Participation: Your participation in class discussions and field trips must
demonstrate that your physical attendance is accompanied by mental awareness
and a desire to be involved. Your participation accounts for 10% of your total
grade, which is significant. You will receive a daily score on participation, up to
5 points can be earned for ACTIVE and THOUGHTFUL PARTICIPATION.
You will receive 3 points for merely attending class. If you come to class
prepared and actively engage in the learning environment, you can earn 4-5 points
per day. You can see me after each class and I will provide you with your daily
1
The distribution of points and assignments may change according to the availability of outside resources,
including service learning opportunities and/or field trips.
5
participation score. It is up to you to decide how many points you will earn and
how this will impact your overall grade! Participation is key to success in this
class!
3. Field Trip to Dependency Court: We will have a field trip to the Los Angeles
Dependency Court during this course. The date is still to be determined. You are
required to attend the field trip to the Edelman’s Children’s Court in Monterey Park.
We will be meeting in the courthouse on the 5th floor, in front of Department 423 at
9:00 a.m. Thus, you will need to plan to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. in order to
park and make it through security and up the elevators to meet by 9:00 a.m. SHARP.
We will be carpooling. Directions will be distributed in class. You must dress in
business casual attire as you will be entering courtrooms in session. This will count
towards attendance and participation.
4. Reading Assignments: The required readings will be assigned on a per class basis.
The readings will come from the textbook and a variety of handouts. It is your
responsibility to obtain reading assignments given in class in the event of your
absence on any given day. Your absence on a previous day is not an excuse for being
unprepared. Check Moodle!
5. Journals: Each student will be required to complete various journals (will be typed
and uploaded onto Moodle) throughout the course. Sometimes the journal prompts
will be given in class, and other times they will be on our Moodle site for homework.
They will be based upon class discussions, readings, films, and/or field trips. Each
journal entry will have different requirements. I will post requirements for each
journal that is due. Journals are graded on a 10 pt. scale. For each day your journal is
late you will receive an automatic 2 pt. deduction. For example, if your paper is due
in class, your paper will be considered 1 day late immediately after class and will
continue to receive deductions until the paper is received by Professor Yates.
Homework Tasks: Throughout the course, I will assign small homework tasks to
complete that will have different due dates. All information will be on our Moodle
site.
Your journal/homework grade accounts for 20% of your total overall grade.
6. Connecting Angelinos to Resources and Essential Services “CARES”: We will
participate in Los Angeles Public Counsel’s CARES program (formally known as
“GRAP”) where you will be trained by Public Counsel Staff on Tuesday, January 13,
2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and thereafter take part in an outreach sessions at a
local Department of Public Social Services (“DPSS”) office under the direct
supervision of public counsel and Professor Yates. The CARES project comprises
three goals:
6
(1)
(2)
(3)
Providing legal advocacy for persons illegally denied or
terminated from public benefits at DPSS;
Advocating to the DPSS and County Government to more
effectively administer public benefits; and
Raising awareness of underserved populations and
promoting public interest legal services to these
populations by the legal profession.
The primary objective and overall goal of CARES is to ensure that all residents of
Los Angeles County who are experiencing a crisis are able to access the benefits
they need and are entitled to from the DPSS in order to become more productive
and contributing members of society.
Your participation in CARES will consist of 30% of your total grade. (50 points
for the outreach session and 50 points for the Praxis Journal) It is mandatory that
you attend the training on January 13, 2015, which is scheduled during our
regular class time. If you miss the training, you will not be allowed to complete
the project and will have your grade AUTOMATICALLY reduced by 25%. The
following dates have been reserved with Public Counsel for outreach sessions
(You must choose one date): Wednesday, January 14, 2015 or Friday, January
23, 2015. A sign-up sheet will go around after the training. Once you have
signed up for a session, you will not be allowed to switch without permission
from Professor Yates. There is a maximum of 6 students at each session. All
outreach sessions will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. at the designated location (to
be determined) and will conclude at approximately 6:00 p.m. You are required
to stay for the entire outreach session—no execptions!!!
Praxis Journal:
At the conclusion of your CARES outreach session, you will have a 3-5 page
praxis journal due reflecting upon your experience. Your paper will be due as
follows: If your outreach session was on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, your
journal is due uploaded onto Moodle on Monday, January 19, 2015; if your
outreach was Friday, January 23, 2015, your journal will be due uploaded onto
Moodle on Monday, January 26, 2015. In order to obtain full credit for the
CARES project, you must complete all three portions of the project (the training,
the outreach session, and the praxis journal). No partial credit will be given. The
praxis journal prompt will be uploaded onto Moodle.
7. Final Exam on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: 30% of your
grade. You will complete an exam in class that will be comprised on multiple choice,
short answer, and essays.
7
Requirements for all written assignments:
1. All written assignments must be typed, double-spaced with no larger than 1 inch
margins on all sides and a font size no greater than 12 point.
2. All pages must be numbered and stapled together.
3. Papers must be appropriately referenced. A reference list must be attached in APA
th
style (see Publication Manual for the American Psychological Association, 5
Edition, available in the library). In addition, any source listed in the reference list
must be cited in the paper itself.
4. Review your assignments carefully for clarity, style, punctuation, grammar and
spelling before handing them in. Do not always trust spell check on your computers.
5. All assignments must be completed and submitted on time. If an assignment is late,
5 points will be deducted for each additional day the assignment is late, NO
EXCEPTIONS.
6. Please make sure to keep a copy of all your written assignments before handing
them in.
Academic Integrity
“Academic honesty is expected of all members of the Whittier College community.
Failure to adhere to standards of honesty will result in sanctions” (Whittier College
Catalog, 2005-2007, p. 28, unpublished, online edition). Academic dishonesty includes
plagiarism, cheating, and unauthorized collaboration, among other behaviors. Please
review the college’s Academic Honesty policy for full details (available in the online
Whittier College Catalog, p. 28-33 and in your Student Handbook). In addition, please
talk to the instructor if you have concerns about how to avoid plagiarism or other forms
of academic dishonesty.
8