Instructor Information |
Instructor |
Kristi Clark |
Email |
clarkkb@lamarpa.edu |
Phone |
(409) 984-6102 |
Office |
Madison Monroe Educational - Room: 119A |
Office Hours |
Please email or call to schedule an office visit. My email clarkkb@lamarpa.edu or call or text me at 409-698-0826.">Please email or call to schedule an office visit. My email clarkkb@lamarpa.edu or call or text me at 409-698-0826.Please email or call to schedule an office visit. My email clarkkb@lamarpa.edu or call or text me at 409-698-0826. |
Additional Contact Information |
By Appointment 409-698-0826 |
Course Information |
Description |
Development of the philosophy and practice of social work in the United States, survey of the fields and techniques of social work.
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Required Textbooks |
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Required Textbook:
Introduction to Social Work: An Advocacy-Based Profession (3rd Edition).
Author: [Insert Author’s Name]
Publisher: Sage Publications, 2021
ISBN: 978-1071839812
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Additional Materials/Resources |
Required Equipment
Computer Skills and Digital Information
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All students must use a computer for this course. The recommended browser is Google Chrome for Blackboard navigation. Do not use Internet Explorer or Safari, as they do not support all Blackboard features.
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Students are responsible for ensuring their computer is properly configured to access all aspects of the course.
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Basic computer skills are required, including the ability to use a word processor with tools such as spell check and grammar check. Students should also be able to follow computer tutorials as needed.
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Corequisites/Prerequisites |
TSIA complete in English Language Arts and Reading.
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Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Explain the historical development of social work in the United States.
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Differentiate the profession of social work from other helping professions.
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Identify the core values of social work as outlined in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
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Describe the primary roles and functions of social workers (e.g., advocate, broker, facilitator).
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Recognize diverse practice settings where social workers serve and explain how these settings shape professional roles.
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Summarize the Generalist Intervention Model.
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Discuss how the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners Code of Conduct guides practice.
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Explain how the NASW Code of Ethics informs ethical decision-making.
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Describe social work’s commitment to advancing human rights and social justice.
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Demonstrate an understanding of social work’s responsibility to serve diverse populations.
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Explain the importance of self-care in preventing burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma.
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Core Objectives |
Core Objectives:
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Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective communication through written, oral, and/or visual forms.
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Critical Thinking Skills: Apply creative and innovative thinking through inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organization of concepts, and construction of solutions.
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Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Apply scientific and mathematical concepts to real-world problems.
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Social Responsibility: Demonstrate intercultural competence and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national, and global communities.
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Personal Responsibility: Connect choices and actions to ethical decision-making, recognizing their consequences.
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Lecture Topics Outline |
General Course Topics
Introduction to Social Work (SOCW 2361)
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Chapter 1: The Social Work Profession
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Chapter 2: The History of Social Work
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Chapter 3: Generalist Social Work Practice
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Chapter 4: Advocacy in Social Work
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Chapter 5: Poverty and Inequality
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Chapter 6: Family and Child Welfare
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Chapter 7: Health Care and Health Challenges
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Chapter 8: Physical, Cognitive, and Developmental Challenges
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Chapters 9 & 10: Mental Health; Substance Abuse and Addiction
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Chapters 11 & 12: Helping Older Adults; Criminal Justice
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Chapter 13: Communities at Risk and Housing
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Chapter 14: The Changing Workforce
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Chapter 15: Veterans, Their Families, and Military Social Work
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Chapters 16 & 17: Environmentalism; International Social Work
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Major Assignments Schedule |
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1 |
ASSIGNMENT/EXAM |
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DUE DATE |
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2 |
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3 |
MODULE ONE |
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4 |
First Week's Assignments |
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Aug28 |
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5 |
Chapter1 Lecture Assign |
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Sept 2 |
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6 |
Chapter1TTTAssign |
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Sept 2 |
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7 |
Chapter2 Lecture Assign |
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Sept 4 |
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8 |
Chapter2TTTAssign |
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Sept 4 |
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9 |
Chapter3 Lecture Assign |
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Sept 9 |
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10 |
Chapter3TTTAssign |
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Sept 9 |
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11 |
Chapter4 Lecture Assign |
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Sept 11 |
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12 |
Chapter4TTTAssign |
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Sept 11 |
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13 |
Major Exam One |
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Sept 15 |
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14 |
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15 |
MODULETWO |
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16 |
Chapter5 Lecture Assign |
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Sept 16 |
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17 |
Chapter5TTTAssign |
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Sept 18 |
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18 |
Chapter6 Lecture Assign |
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Sept 23 |
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19 |
Chapter6TTTAssign |
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Sept 25 |
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20 |
Chapter7 Lecture Assign |
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Sept 30 |
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21 |
Chapter7TTTAssign |
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Sept 30 |
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22 |
Chapter8LectureAssign |
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Oct 2 |
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23 |
Chapter8TTTAssign |
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Oct 2 |
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24 |
Major Exam Two |
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Oct 6 |
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25 |
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26 |
MODULE THREE |
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27 |
Chapter9 Lecture Assign |
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Oct 7 |
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28 |
Chapter 9 TTT Assign |
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Oct 9 |
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29 |
Chapter10 Lecture |
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Oct 14 |
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30 |
Chapter 10 TTT Assign |
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Oct 16 |
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31 |
Chapter 11 Lecture |
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Oct 21 |
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32 |
Chapter 11 TTT Assign |
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Oct 23 |
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33 |
Chapter 12 Lecture Assign |
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Oct 28 |
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34 |
Chapter 12 TTT Assign |
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Oct 30 |
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35 |
Major Exam Three |
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Nov 3 |
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36 |
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37 |
MODULE FOUR |
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38 |
Chapter 13 Lecture Assign |
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Nov 4 |
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39 |
Chapter 13 TTT Assign |
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Nov 6 |
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40 |
Chapter 14 Lecture Assign |
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Nov 11 |
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41 |
Chapter 14 TTT Assign |
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Nov 13 |
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42 |
Chapter 15 Lecture Assign |
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Nov 18 |
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43 |
Chapter 15 TTT Assign |
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Nov 20 |
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44 |
Chapter16 Lecture Assign |
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Nov 25 |
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45 |
Chapter16 TTT Assign |
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Nov 25 |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
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Major Exam Four |
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Dec 1 |
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47 |
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48 |
Working on Research Paper |
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Dec 2 -Dec 8 |
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49 |
Research Paper Due |
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Dec 8 |
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See Blackboard Calendar for updated Due Dates
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Final Exam Date |
December 9, 2025 - 8:00 AM
Through December 9, 2025 - 11:59 AM
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Grading Scale |
Grading Scale
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A: 900–1000 points (90–100%)
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B: 800–899 points (80–89%)
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C: 700–799 points (70–79%)
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D: 600–699 points (60–69%)
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F: 0–599 points (Below 60%)
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Determination of Final Grade |
Grading Breakdown
Category
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Number |
Points Each |
Total Points |
Chapter Lecture Assignments |
15 |
10 pts |
150 pts |
Time to Think Journals |
15 |
10 pts |
150 pts |
Major Exams |
5 |
100 pts |
500 pts |
Research Paper |
1 |
200 pts |
200 pts |
Total Possible Points |
— |
— |
1000 pts |
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Course Policies |
Instructor Policies |
Course Policies
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Academic Integrity: Cheating or plagiarism—whether intentional or unintentional—or assisting others in dishonest practices will result in an F for the course. All work must be original and completed by the individual student.
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Exams and Assignments: Students may request individual discussions with the instructor regarding exams and assignments. Late work will not be accepted.
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Instructor Availability: The instructor is available for consultation during scheduled office hours or by appointment.
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Classroom Conduct: Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Students who engage in disruptive or disrespectful conduct may be permanently removed from the course and assigned a final grade of F.
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Attendance Policy |
Attendance and Participation Policy
Research consistently shows a strong connection between regular attendance and college success. Students who accumulate more than three absences will receive an academic penalty, as outlined by the instructor.
Active participation is also required in the online environment. Students must log into their Blackboard course at least once each week to stay current with assignments, announcements, and course materials.
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Additional Information |
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK (SOCW 2361)
Orientation Information
Course Overview
Introduction to Social Work provides an overview of the history and development of social work as a profession. The course is designed to foster a philosophical, historical, and critical understanding of the field, including:
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Social work values and ethics
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Areas of practice under the Generalist Intervention Model
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(SOCW 2631 is also included in the Social Work Field of Study.)
A unique aspect of this course is its advocacy framework for exploring:
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The historical development of social work
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Key figures who shaped the profession
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Multiple practice settings and types of practice
Textbook Organization:
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Part One: Defines social work, reviews the profession’s history, and highlights advocacy as a core element.
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Part Two: Examines how social workers respond to human needs such as poverty, inequality, family welfare, health care challenges, mental health, substance use, aging, and criminal justice.
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Part Three: Goes beyond standard coverage, addressing communities at risk, housing, workplace change, veterans and military social work, environmental issues, and international practice.
Important First Steps
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Read your syllabus carefully. Pay close attention to the grading scale, course structure, and expectations.
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Print these Orientation Notes to reference throughout the semester.
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Review the Blackboard course layout described below.
Blackboard Course Structure
Content Link Overview
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Orientation Information / Start Here: Syllabus, Orientation Notes, Introduction Paragraph Blog, and Syllabus & Orientation Exam.
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Modules: Each module contains:
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Chapter Lecture Assignments
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“Time to Think” exercises
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Major exam reviews and exams
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Videos and chapter PowerPoints
Chapter Lecture Assignments (150 pts)
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Purpose: Equivalent to face-to-face lectures; provide focused chapter topics.
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Format: Use any format (paragraphs, bullets, highlighting) that helps you learn.
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Guidelines: Use the required textbook — not Google or Wikipedia.
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Points: 15 assignments × 10 points each = 150 points.
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Due Dates: Listed on the Calendar.
Time to Think Assignments (150 pts)
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Purpose: Journal reflections (minimum 300 words).
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Points: 15 journals × 10 points each = 150 points.
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Due Dates: Posted on the Calendar.
Exams & Assessments (400 pts)
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Major Exams: 4 exams × 100 points each = 400 points.
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Format: No proctor required; exams are located within each module.
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Pre-Test and Post-Test: Do not count toward your grade but appear in the gradebook. Extra credit will be awarded for completing both.
Research Paper (200 pts)
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Topic: Must be selected from Part Two of the textbook and approved by instructor.
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Points: Worth 200 points.
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Due Date: Listed on the Calendar.
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Details: Full instructions and outline are provided in Blackboard.
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Institutional Policies |
MyLSCPA |
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through
MyLSCPA.
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Academic Honesty |
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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ADA Considerations |
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive
civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students
with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their
disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the
Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
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COVID 19 Information |
The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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Facility Policies |
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
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HB 2504 |
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
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Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect |
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see
LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
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Title IX and Sexual Misconduct |
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
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Clery Act Crime Reporting |
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
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Grievance / Complaint / Concern |
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
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Department Information |
General Education and Developmental Studies |
Chair: | Shirley MacNeill |
Email: | macneisb@lamarpa.edu |
Phone: | (409) 984-6365 |
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