Learning Resources

Note: To access this weeks required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
“Working with Clients with Dual Diagnosis: The Case of Joe” (pp. 7778)

Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Chapter 8, Mental Health and Substance Abuse (pp. 161-191)

Discussion: Drug Policies and Ethics

The NASW Code of Ethics provides social workers with guidelines and standards for interacting with clients, colleagues, communities, and society, as a whole. These standards govern interactions and professional behavior of social work practitioners. The NASW has also developed specific standards, which are published in the NASW Standards for Social Work Practice With Clients With Substance Use Disorders. These standards emphasize the importance of the competence of social workers. The standards indicate that social workers should be knowledgeable of evidence-based interventions for substance disorders. The confidentiality standard becomes essential as social workers must be informed and comply with federal, state, and local laws about substance use, as well as third-party payee regulations.

For this Discussion, review this weeks resources, including the case Working with Clients with Dual Diagnosis: The Case of Joe,and consider how social policies affect Joes circumstances as described in the case study. Then, think about any gaps in service you found in Joes case. Finally, reflect on how you might address these gaps or make changes to the policies that affect Joe.

By Day 3

Post an explanation of how drug policies affect Joes circumstances, as described in the case study. Then, explain any gaps in service you found in Joes case as a result of the drug policies described in the case study. Finally, describe a strategy you might use to address these gaps or make changes to the policies that affect Joe.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Learning Resources

Note: To access this weeks required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Optional Resources

Discussion: Theories of Life-Span Development

Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman (2016) stated, “We need theories to guide our thinking and our work so that we may undertake research-informed practice” (p. 127-128). At the same time, the authors asserted, “No theory will be perfectly applicable. Perhaps you will decide that only one or two concepts make any sense to you in terms of working with clients” (p. 128). Though you may be able to apply only a few concepts in a particular theory to your work with clients, as a social worker, you should be applying evidence-based research to your work. Empirically-based developmental theories may guide you as you assess clients and their presenting problems. You may also apply developmental theories to your treatment decisions.

For this Assignment, you discuss theories of life-span development by evaluating a theory that seems especially relevant to you and your role as a social worker. Select a theory of life-span development to address in this Discussion. This may be a theory described in the resources of this course, or you may select a theory based on personal research. Locate at least one scholarly resource (not included in the course resources) that addresses the theory you selected.

By Day 3

Post a Discussion in which you analyze the theory of life-span development that you selected. Summarize the theory; then, identify the strengths and weaknesses of this theory, especially as it relates to social work practice. Explain one way you might apply the theory to your social work practice.

 In Chapter 3 of your textbook, various methodological techniques for studying the social world are discussed. A key aspect of sociological research is utilizing the power of observation. Applying what you have learned about sociological research: First, discuss the role of observational research as a key methodology for studying society. Second, utilizing nonparticipant observation, participant observation, ethnography or netnography observe and record a detailed account of a social context or virtual social context that you are no stranger to (think local coffee shop, shopping mall, church or night club, a blog, twitter feed, or Instagram) from a sociological perspective. Be careful to be objective and ethically neutral. Do not include judgments or opinions of behaviors but rather, as best as possible, systematic observations. Third, discuss how a common-sense view of that social setting may look different from a sociological one. Does looking through the lens of sociological research methodology transform how that social space may be viewed. Substantiate your views. Fourth and finally, post a response to another classmate’s posting discussing your thoughts in a respectful and thoughtful manner. What stood out to you about their observations and the behaviors occurring?  

1. Please write one short paragraph (3-4 sentences) for each of the word sets below. The sentences should be as cohesive as possible. You must use all 3 words in each set.

2. You may write about any topic, but do not use I.

3. You may use other word forms of the words given (i.e., you can change them to their adjective form, verb form, the noun form, different tenses, etc.). 

4. Write your paragraphs so that the meanings of the given words are effectively demonstrated. 

5. You may use a dictionary.

6. The time limit is 12 minutes. Do your best.

1.) Haphazard, Aspiration, Discrete

2.) Humanitarian, Ambiguous, Wane

3.) Expansive, Sentiment, Obscure

It is said that children’s social behaviors and attitudes are influenced by what they see on TV, whether it be violence, prosocial skills, or a distorted view of women and minorities. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Support your response with research and personal anecdotes.Just need 135 words (ASAP)!

A parent is at his or her wit’s end over a seeming lack of ambition and drive in his 8-year-old son has come to you for help. All the child wants to do is play video games, the parent reports. As a professional counselor, how might you separately counsel both the parent and the child? Formulate your response around your understanding of physical development and multiple-intelligences theories as well as parenting styles. Just need 135 words (ASAP)!

Discussion 2

1. What is intersectionality and why is intersectionality so important when thinking about LGBTQ issues? (300 words)

2.  You watched the film (A)sexual and heard various perspectives regarding people who identify as asexual. Describe your reactions to this film. How do you feel about the criticisms/backlash the asexual people in this film had to face? (300 words)

Discussion Post Guidelines:

1. (30%) LENGTH. Each answer should be approximately 300 words in length. For example, if your Discussion 2 assignment requires you to answer 2 discussion questions, your entry for that week should be 600 words in length total (at least 300 words for each of the 2 questions for that week)
2. (40%) COMPREHENSION. Demonstrate an understanding and application of the course readings and any other outside reading you may choose to use to answer the question.
3. (10%) REFERENCES. You MUST cite using at least 1 citation per question: All discussion postings are expected to integrate information from at least one of the readings, class materials, and/or from an outside empirical or reputable news source. You should cite both within the text and provide a full reference at the bottom of your post.

Social Influence Paper

View videos about the following famous social psychology experiments: Zimbardos Stanford Prison Experiment, Milgrams Obedience Study, and Aschs Conformity Study (websites for each are listed under your required readings for the week).

Based on the videos, this weeks readings , and additional research, write a 1500-2000 word analysis (excluding title page and references) of one of the following historical events:

• Holocaust
• My Lai Massacre
• Heavens Gate Cult
• Jonestown

Identify the sociopsychological environmental influences for your chosen historical event. Focus on the attitudes in response to a seemingly passive environment, being sure to include the effects of mere exposure, implicit attitudes, evaluative conditioning, and direct experience. A minimum of two academic references is required.

This Discussion Question aligns with the following weekly outcomes: 1,2
This Discussion Question aligns with the following course outcomes: 1,4,5,6

Grading Criteria

Content CriteriaTotal: 4

Paper demonstrates an examination of the sociopsychological environmental influences for a historical event.

Paper includes a discussion on the development of attitudes in response to a passive environment.

Paper includes a discussion on the effects of exposure and influence of attitudes pertaining to the historical event.

Paper includes a discussion of the effects of the evaluative conditioning and direct experience pertaining to the historical event.

Writing and Organization CriteriaTotal: 1

Writing style is clear and concise.

Tone is academic and appropriate for the content and assignment.

Thesis statement is clearly articulated.

Structure is logical, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Flow is maintained by effective transitions.

Rules of grammar, punctuation, and spelling are followed.

Adherence to APA formatting requirements is evident.

Research CriteriaTotal: 2

Sources are credible (preferably peer-reviewed), varied, relevant, and current (published within past five years); use of seminal work (e.g. Freud) is encouraged.

Sources inform analysis, evaluation, problem-solving and decision-making.

Includes required number of professional/scholarly sources.

Addresses ethical considerations in research when appropriate.

Style CriteriaTotal: 1

The paper is in the appropriate APA format used by the institution/program (e.g. the 6th edition).

The paper is double-spaced and in the appropriate length required by the assignment

The paper includes an APA style cover page.

The paper includes an Abstract that is formatted to support the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th edition).

The paper properly uses headings, font styles, and white space as outlined in the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th edition).

The paper includes an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.

The paper addresses the topic of the paper with critical thought.

The paper concludes with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.

Citations of original works within the body of the paper follow the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th edition) guidelines.

The paper includes a References Page that is completed according to the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th edition).

Write a 2 page single-spaced paper that explains how you see yourself, another person, or members of an organization/institution with respect to gender.  Keep in mind that stronger papers will exceed the 600 word minimum requirement.  The grading rubric at the bottom of this page provides clarity for the expectations for this assignment.  

The paper should focus on gender as expressed and experienced through a persons life events. You may discuss any or all of the following: family dynamics (i.e., birth order, family expectations, religious values,  other influential institutions, etc.), and culture (how a person learns to act as a gendered person), have formed a worldview (…the way in which we perceive the world –and our behavior Gamble & Gamble, 2003, p. 59) and ultimately influenced communication.  You are not required to write about your personal gender; you may choose to write about a family member, friend, religious figure, secular public figure, or member of a specific institution, industry, or organization. If you are unsure of your approach, feel free to e-mail your instructor for guidance. While there is no expectation that you reveal your own personal information, the intent of the paper is for you to write from a personal perspective, not solely from online references.  If a person described is not a publicly known figure, be sure to refer to them by a pseudonym. 

Write a 500 or more word essay answering the following questions.
 

Be sure to include in-text citations and include at least three  references
 

         In what ways does culture related to social class impact identity and pride within specific social classes?
 

         In what ways does culture help keep others outside of a specific social class?
 

         Would the answers you given make it more difficult for someone from a lower social class to pass as someone from a higher class or would it make it more difficult for someone from a higher social class to pass as someone from a lower class? Why?
 

         Why do most people stay in the same social class into which they were born?