AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF BEHAVIORAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, MSW PROGRAM
SOCW 525: FIELD SEMINAR II
1 Unit
(Spring 2013)
Credit Hour Policy: Following the APU Credit Hour policy, to meet the identified student learning outcomes of this course, the expectations are that this one unit course, delivered over a 15 week term, will approximate two hours, biweekly, classroom or direct faculty instruction. Field II, the three unit corequisite course, delivered over a 15 week term, will approximate 16 hours per week of field internship at an approved agency setting.
In addition, out of class student work for Field Seminar II will approximate a minimum of three hours per week.
Professor: Louanna Law Bickham, MSW, Assistant Professor
Class Day/Time: Thursday, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Class Location: Wynn Academic Center, Room 201
Office Location: Wynn Academic Center 208-B
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 2:00-4:00 p.m., and by appointment
Contact Information: (626) 815-6000 x2766 Email:
Emergency Phone #: 626-241-3243
University Mission Statement: Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence in liberal arts and professional programs in higher education that encourage students to develop a Christian perspective of truth and life.
MSW Mission Statement: The MSW Program in the Department of Social Work at Azusa Pacific University seeks to develop competent advanced social work practitioners who can integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of social work to advance social justice and provide services to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Grounded in the profession’s Code of Ethics and sensitivity to diversity, the MSW Program is committed to excellence in our teaching and scholarship, the integration of faith and learning, the development of professional leadership, and the strengthening of communities in local, national, and international contexts.
Course Description: Field seminars meet in conjunction with field coursework and provide students opportunities to discuss practice situations, professional development issues, the relationship of field to classroom learning, and skills necessary for effective practice. Foundation year field seminars (I and II) focus on beginning social work practice skills and professional ethics. Prerequisites: Field I; Field Seminar I; Practice I. Corequisite: Field II.
Student Outcomes and Expected Competencies: (Each measurable learning outcome is followed by assignment or activity used to assess learning outcome)
Upon successful completion of this course, class participants will be able to:
1. Effectively articulate and critically reflect upon social work field experience with appropriate self-awareness and understanding of ways faith/beliefs/values may affect practice. (foundation objectives 3, 4, 5, 11)
Activities/assignment: seminar participation, presentation, reflection papers summary paper
2. Demonstrate professional ethics and awareness of personal values when discussing field experiences and related learning opportunities. (foundation objective 2)
Activities/assignment: seminar participation, presentation, reflection papers summary paper
3. Demonstrate responsiveness to specific diversity and environmental considerations in field practice, including assuring that the needs of diverse groups are met and services are congruent with professional commitments to at-risk groups and social and economic justice. (foundation objectives 2, 6, 7)
Activities/assignment: seminar participation, presentation, reflection papers summary paper
4. Demonstrate intermediate practice skills and knowledge in seminar discussions and activities, including principles of ethical decision making and appropriate uses of supervision. (foundation objectives 5, 11)
Activities/assignment: seminar participation
Field Core Competencies:
Competency #1
Professionalism: Intern Identifies as a professional social worker and conducts her/himself accordingly
Competency #2
Ethics: Intern applies social work ethical principles to guide her/his professional practice
Competency #3
Thinking & Judgment: Intern applies critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments
Competency #4
Cultural Competency: Intern engages diversity and difference in practice
Competency #5
Social Justice: Intern advances human rights and social and economic justice
Competency #6
Evidence-Based Practice: Intern engages in research-informed practice and practice –informed research
Competency #7
Person-In-Environment: Intern applies knowledge of human behavior and the social environment
Competency #8
Intern engages in policy practice to advance social and economic well being and deliver effective social work services
Competency #9
Current Trends: Intern responds to contexts that shape practice
Competency #10
Intern Engages, assesses, intervenes and evaluates individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Required Textbook and Study Resources:
American Psychiatric Association (2000). DSM-IV-TR. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
National Association of Social Workers (2008). NASW code of ethics. Washington, DC: NASW.
Azusa Pacific University Department of Social Work (2012). MSW field manual. Azusa, CA: Azusa Pacific University.
Ward, K. & Mama, R.S. (2010). Breaking out of the box. Adventure-based field instruction. Chicago: Lyceum.
Additional Readings:
Austin, M. J., Coombs, M., & Barr, B. (2005). Community-centered clinical practice: Is the integration of
micro and macro social work practice possible? Journal of Community Practice, 13(4), 9-30. doi:10.1300/J125v13n04-02
Jungbluth, N. J., & Shirk, S. R. (2009). Therapist strategies for building involvement in cognitive—
behavioral therapy for adolescent depression. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 77(6), 1179-1184. doi:10.1037/a0017325
Newhill, C. E. (1989). Psychiatric emergencies: Overview of clinical principles and practice. Clinical
Social Work Journal, 17(3), 245-258. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Additional readings, as assigned by instructor, based on webliography.
Other Course Resources
Three ring binder for Field Portfolio.
Course Schedule
***Course schedule, topics, evaluation and assignments may be changed at the instructor’s discretion.
Field II and Field Seminar II are required to be completed concurrently. Students will spend 16 hours a week in Field II over a 15 week semester. Some field internships may begin before the start of the semester or extend beyond the semester, as specified by the field instructor and approved by the field faculty. Students should be clear on attendance expectations prior to beginning fieldwork.
Field Seminar II meets for 1.5 hours every week, unless otherwise noted on the course schedule. The primary method of teaching for field seminar will be interactive and experiential. Field Seminar provides students with the opportunity to discuss practice situations, professional development issues, the relationship of field to classroom learning, and skills necessary for effective practice. All students in seminar are required to actively participate in discussions and the learning process.
FIELD SEMINAR II COURSE SCHEDULESPRING 2013 /
Dates / Activity / Assignment /
1/10 / - Review Field Syllabi, discuss pre-post assessment
- Concentration Year Field Placement process
- Group Building / Readings: Field and Field Seminar Syllabus
Readings: Newhill (1989) article
1/17
4-5 p.m. / Concentration Yr. Field Placement Meeting
Rm. Wynn 211 / MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS ENTERING CY FIELD INTERNSHIPS
1/17 / Competency # 2
- Review: Clinical Risk Management
- Discuss learning agreement goals and revisions
- Group Building
Spring semester pre-assessment administered / Review Learning Agreement goals
1/24 / Competency #6,7,10
- Review of Theory and Practice Interventions
- Case Presentations (2)
- Process Recording Refresher / Readings: Jungbluth & Shirk (2009) Article
Learning Agreement Revision Due
(Submit Field Portfolio)
1/28 / Prepare for Concentration year internship / Application for Concentration Yr. MSW Field Internship due
1/31 / Competency #10
- Mezzo Social Work Practice at your agency –
working with families and groups
- Case Presentations (2) / Turn in one micro or group process recording for review
2/7 / Competency #8
- Macro Social Work Practice-the bigger picture at
your field agencies
- Case Presentations (2) / Readings:
Readings: Readings: Austin, Coombs & Barr (2005) article.
Reflection Paper Due
2/14 / Combined Seminar- Pre-placement interview preparation with APU Career Services
Mock interviews and resume review (bring your student resume)
2/21 / Competency #2,3,10
- Clinical Skill Development (Legal/Ethical issues)
*Bring a MICRO Process Recording for discussion
*Bring DSM IV-TR to class (respond to vignette, in class group work / Readings: Text Chap 13 “Difficult Issues and Difficult Clients”
-Process Recording Log Due for Review
-Field Time Log Due for Review
-Mid-Semester Progress Report Due
(Submit Field Portfolio)
2/28 / Competency #1,3,10
- Clinical Issues and Preparing for Termination
- Student Feedback Survey distributed / Readings: Text Chap 15 “Termination and Evaluation”
TBA
3/7
TBA / Optional field interviews with field faculty
(15 min. each) / Students may sign up for an interview slot in the MSW Program Office AFTER submitting field internship application
3/7 / Competency # 1
- Termination with Agency
- Case presentations (2)
3/11-4/30 / Pre-Placement Interviews at Field Agencies
(Students may begin calling agencies on 3/11) / Field Assignments will be sent to students who will contact agencies to schedule interviews
3/14 / Competency #1
- Self-Evaluation
- Case Presentations (2) / Reading: Text Chap 14 “Self Evaluation”
3/21 / Competency #1
- The Balancing Act: Professional and Personal
- Case Presentations (2) / Identification of feelings
3/25-3/29 / SPRING BREAK – no classes / Go to field internship if required by your agency
4/4 / Competency #5,9
Current Events in Social Work Practice: Human Rights and Social & Economic Justice / Current event article
4/11 / Competency #4
- Macro Project Summary Presentation / TBA
4/18 / Competency #4
- Macro Project Summary Presentation
- Wrap Up and Closure / TBA
4/25 / Last Day of Field Seminar
Post Assessment administered
ALL paperwork MUST be
Submitted by May 2, 2013 in order to receive a grade. / TURN-IN the following paperwork:
1. Comprehensive Skills Evaluations due
2. Macro Assignment Summary due
3. Final Summary Paper due
4. Student Feedback Survey due
Field Paperwork Due:
-Field Time Log (signed)
-Process Recording Log
(Submit Field Portfolio)
Assignments:
Complete two components of Field II: 16 hours per week in a designated field setting (off-campus fieldwork) and weekly field seminar (on-campus fieldwork). Attendance and participation in both field components will be reflected in the student’s professional conduct & participation grade. Will require completion of assigned course readings and participation in weekly field seminar discussions.
Field Portfolio will be maintained in Fall and Spring Semesters, and will include field-related documents and assignments. The Field Portfolio will be submitted throughout the academic year, as specified in course schedule, and evaluated based on timeliness as well as completeness and accuracy of documentation. The Portfolio is part of the written assignments grade. Will require use of Field Portfolio outline, timeliness, and organizational skills.
Learning Agreement Revisions – to be completed at the beginning of the Spring Semester to accurately reflect current goals as agreed upon by student, field instructor, and field faculty. Learning agreement will continue to serve as a tool to guide completion of goals and objectives and should be reviewed periodically to reflect current learning goals. Will require use of program approved form, course discussions, and supervisory signatures.
Field Time Log to be maintained in Field Portfolio and submitted, at minimum, each semester, and as requested by field seminar instructor. Will require program approved form, accuracy, and supervisory signatures.
Process Recordings – to be submitted weekly to agency field instructor. A total of 12 is required per semester. Field seminar instructors may request that students submit process recordings at different intervals during the semester and at the end of the semester. For Foundation year students, a minimum of six micro recordings are required, and the remaining should be any combination of macro, group, or meeting recordings. Failure to complete the minimum required process recordings will result in a grade reduction. Students will maintain a Process Recording Log that will be included in Field Portfolio as verification that student has completed the minimum number of process recordings. Field seminar instructors may require that all process recordings be submitted as well. Will require program approved recording forms, a reflection of field experiences, and supervisory signatures.
An Approved Macro Project will be implemented by student at the agency. Student will be expected to demonstrate use of macro social work practice skills to complete project. Student will submit a written summary of project outcome at the end of Spring Semester. Will require use of prescribed macro summary format and integration of field competencies. APA format NOT required.
Final Year Comprehensive Skills Evaluation will be completed by the field instructor to evaluate student performance in field internship, reflecting student professional growth and progression in the ten field competency areas. The evaluation will be reviewed and signed by both the student and field instructor, and turned in to the field seminar instructor by the date specified on the Field Seminar II Syllabus. Will require program approved form and receptiveness to evaluative feedback.
Pre/Post Skills Assessment - to evaluate development and application of field competencies. The pre skills assessment will be administered during the beginning of the semester, followed by the post skills assessment during the end of the semester. Assessments are scored on a 5-point rubric. Foundation Year students in Spring Semester are expected to score a 2.25-2.5 average. Will require course texts, course notes, integration of material from other courses.
A Written Presentation of a Client or Practice Situation will be given by student. Presentation will include a discussion of presenting issues, necessary practitioner skills, potential interventions, and ethical and diversity consideration. Assignment will require use of program approved presentation format, written and verbal presentation skills, and course text. Expected length: maximum of 5-7 minutes. APA format NOT required.
Reflection Paper, on student’s field experience, including professional growth and self-awareness, skill development, challenges, diversity and ethical considerations, and integration of faith and practice. Assignment will require use of critical thinking skills and field experiences. Expected length: 3-4 pages. APA format NOT required.
Final Integrative Assignment is due at the end of the Spring Semester. Student will compile a selection of written assignments from MSW Program coursework that demonstrate knowledge of three field competencies: #2) Ethics: Intern applies social work ethical principles to guide her/his professional practice; #8) Intern engages in policy practice to advance social and economic well being and deliver effective social work services; and #6) Evidence-Based Practice: Intern engages in research-informed practice and practice –informed research. In a summary paper, student will be expected to articulate the connection between each course assignment and competency, which will be discussed in field seminar individually or in a group format. Paper should incorporate personal and professional awareness developed in field setting, relevance of field work to social/economic justice and the needs of at-risk populations, issues relevant to professional ethics and values, and integration of faith and practice. Expected length: 4-5 pages. Will require use of seminar content and field competencies. APA format NOT required.