Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: SOCW-2361 (Section: 71, CRN: 91918)
Introduction to Social Work
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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.
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
Additional Materials/Resources

Required Equipment

  • A reliable computer and stable internet connection are required.

  • Mobile devices (cell phones or tablets) are not sufficient for accessing or completing course content.

Computer Skills and Digital Information

  • 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.

  • Students are responsible for ensuring their computer is properly configured to access all aspects of the course.

  • 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.

Corequisites/Prerequisites TSIA complete in English Language Arts and Reading. 
Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the historical development of social work in the United States.

  2. Differentiate the profession of social work from other helping professions.

  3. Identify the core values of social work as outlined in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

  4. Describe the primary roles and functions of social workers (e.g., advocate, broker, facilitator).

  5. Recognize diverse practice settings where social workers serve and explain how these settings shape professional roles.

  6. Summarize the Generalist Intervention Model.

  7. Discuss how the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners Code of Conduct guides practice.

  8. Explain how the NASW Code of Ethics informs ethical decision-making.

  9. Describe social work’s commitment to advancing human rights and social justice.

  10. Demonstrate an understanding of social work’s responsibility to serve diverse populations.

  11. Explain the importance of self-care in preventing burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma.


Core Objectives

Core Objectives:

  • Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective communication through written, oral, and/or visual forms.

  • Critical Thinking Skills: Apply creative and innovative thinking through inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organization of concepts, and construction of solutions.

  • Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Apply scientific and mathematical concepts to real-world problems.

  • Social Responsibility: Demonstrate intercultural competence and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national, and global communities.

  • Personal Responsibility: Connect choices and actions to ethical decision-making, recognizing their consequences.

Lecture Topics Outline

General Course Topics

Introduction to Social Work (SOCW 2361)

  • Chapter 1: The Social Work Profession

  • Chapter 2: The History of Social Work

  • Chapter 3: Generalist Social Work Practice

  • Chapter 4: Advocacy in Social Work

  • Chapter 5: Poverty and Inequality

  • Chapter 6: Family and Child Welfare

  • Chapter 7: Health Care and Health Challenges

  • Chapter 8: Physical, Cognitive, and Developmental Challenges

  • Chapters 9 & 10: Mental Health; Substance Abuse and Addiction

  • Chapters 11 & 12: Helping Older Adults; Criminal Justice

  • Chapter 13: Communities at Risk and Housing

  • Chapter 14: The Changing Workforce

  • Chapter 15: Veterans, Their Families, and Military Social Work

  • Chapters 16 & 17: Environmentalism; International Social Work

Major Assignments Schedule
         
1 ASSIGNMENT/EXAM   DUE DATE  
2        
3 MODULE ONE      
4 First Week's Assignments   Aug28  
5 Chapter1 Lecture Assign   Sept 2  
6 Chapter1TTTAssign   Sept 2  
7 Chapter2 Lecture Assign   Sept 4  
8 Chapter2TTTAssign   Sept 4  
9 Chapter3 Lecture Assign   Sept 9  
10 Chapter3TTTAssign   Sept 9  
11 Chapter4 Lecture Assign   Sept 11  
12 Chapter4TTTAssign   Sept 11  
13 Major Exam One   Sept 15  
14        
15 MODULETWO      
16 Chapter5 Lecture Assign   Sept 16  
17 Chapter5TTTAssign   Sept 18  
18 Chapter6 Lecture Assign   Sept 23  
19 Chapter6TTTAssign   Sept 25  
20 Chapter7 Lecture Assign   Sept 30  
21 Chapter7TTTAssign   Sept 30  
22 Chapter8LectureAssign   Oct 2  
23 Chapter8TTTAssign   Oct 2  
24 Major Exam Two   Oct 6  
25        
26 MODULE THREE      
27 Chapter9 Lecture Assign   Oct 7  
28 Chapter 9 TTT Assign   Oct 9  
29 Chapter10 Lecture   Oct 14  
30 Chapter 10 TTT Assign   Oct 16  
31 Chapter 11 Lecture    Oct 21  
32 Chapter 11 TTT Assign   Oct 23  
33 Chapter 12 Lecture Assign   Oct 28  
34 Chapter 12 TTT Assign   Oct 30  
35 Major Exam Three   Nov 3  
36        
37 MODULE FOUR      
38 Chapter 13 Lecture Assign   Nov 4  
39 Chapter 13 TTT Assign   Nov 6  
40 Chapter 14 Lecture Assign   Nov 11  
41 Chapter 14 TTT Assign   Nov 13  
42 Chapter 15 Lecture Assign   Nov 18  
43 Chapter 15 TTT Assign   Nov 20  
44 Chapter16 Lecture Assign   Nov 25  
45 Chapter16 TTT Assign   Nov 25  
 

 
A B C D
46 Major Exam Four   Dec 1  
47        
48 Working on Research Paper   Dec 2 -Dec 8  
49 Research Paper Due   Dec 8  
 
See Blackboard Calendar for updated Due Dates
Final Exam Date December 9, 2025 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 9, 2025 - 11:59 AM
Grading Scale

Grading Scale

  • A: 900–1000 points (90–100%)

  • B: 800–899 points (80–89%)

  • C: 700–799 points (70–79%)

  • D: 600–699 points (60–69%)

  • F: 0–599 points (Below 60%)


Determination of
Final Grade

Grading Breakdown

 

Category

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
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

Course Policies

  • 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.

  • Exams and Assignments: Students may request individual discussions with the instructor regarding exams and assignments. Late work will not be accepted.

  • Instructor Availability: The instructor is available for consultation during scheduled office hours or by appointment.

  • 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.

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.

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:

  • Social work values and ethics
  • Areas of practice under the Generalist Intervention Model
  • (SOCW 2631 is also included in the Social Work Field of Study.)

A unique aspect of this course is its advocacy framework for exploring:

  • The historical development of social work
  • Key figures who shaped the profession
  • Multiple practice settings and types of practice

Textbook Organization:

  • Part One: Defines social work, reviews the profession’s history, and highlights advocacy as a core element.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Read your syllabus carefully. Pay close attention to the grading scale, course structure, and expectations.
  • Print these Orientation Notes to reference throughout the semester.
  • Review the Blackboard course layout described below.

Blackboard Course Structure

Content Link Overview

  • Orientation Information / Start Here: Syllabus, Orientation Notes, Introduction Paragraph Blog, and Syllabus & Orientation Exam.
  • Modules: Each module contains:
  • Chapter Lecture Assignments
  • “Time to Think” exercises
  • Major exam reviews and exams
  • Videos and chapter PowerPoints

Chapter Lecture Assignments (150 pts)

  • Purpose: Equivalent to face-to-face lectures; provide focused chapter topics.
  • Format: Use any format (paragraphs, bullets, highlighting) that helps you learn.
  • Guidelines: Use the required textbook — not Google or Wikipedia.
  • Points: 15 assignments × 10 points each = 150 points.
  • Due Dates: Listed on the Calendar.

Time to Think Assignments (150 pts)

  • Purpose: Journal reflections (minimum 300 words).
  • Points: 15 journals × 10 points each = 150 points.
  • Due Dates: Posted on the Calendar.

Exams & Assessments (400 pts)

  • Major Exams: 4 exams × 100 points each = 400 points.
  • Format: No proctor required; exams are located within each module.
  • 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)

  • Topic: Must be selected from Part Two of the textbook and approved by instructor.
  • Points: Worth 200 points.
  • Due Date: Listed on the Calendar.
  • Details: Full instructions and outline are provided in Blackboard.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
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.
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.
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.

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.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Shirley MacNeill
Email:macneisb@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6365