THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Course #: SW 360K AFR 374 WGS 340 Instructor: Ruth McRoy, PhD. LMSW-ACP Unique #: 63215 32930 46145 Office #: SSW 3.208G Semester: Spring 2005 Office Hours: Tuesday / Thursday by appointment Meeting Time: Tuesday / Thursday 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Office Phone #: 471-0551 Meeting Place: SSW 2.118 E-mail: [email protected] TA: Michele Hanna, MSW Office #: SSW 3.21A Office Phone #: 471-7372 Office Hours: Tuesday / Thursday 11:00 am – 12:30 pm E-mail: [email protected] SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES I. Course Description This course is designed to provide an overview of historical and contemporary issues facing African American families and children. Social service delivery to African American families and communities is emphasized. This course is an upper-division, social science elective and is open to BSW students as well as other majors and graduate students. Topics covered will include: * African Heritage * Racism & Oppression * Civil Rights Era * Social Justice * Gender Issues and Relationships * Socialization in African American Families * Family Patterns * Health Care * Education and Employment * Adoption, Foster Care and Kinship Care * Housing Issues * Racial Identity Issues * Practice Issues * Substance Abuse IssuesPage 2 II. Course Objectives By the end of the semester, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of African American family structures and dynamics from a social systems perspective. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical background of African American families and its impact on contemporary family life. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the psychosocial dimensions of African American families. 4. Understand the meaning and significance of the development of African American identity. 5. Identify specific social issues facing African American males and females. 6. Identify and describe the variety of life styles among African Americans and the situational determinants of different family forms and patterns of adaptation. 7. Identify barriers facing specific African American populations, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, women, gays and lesbians. 8. Critique the treatment of African American families in American scholarship. 9. Demonstrate an understanding of the major problems facing African American children and families today. 10. Demonstrate an awareness of value dilemmas and policy initiatives that differentially affect African American families and diverse social service providers. 11. Promote social justice by recognizing and identifying ways to address discrimination against African Americans and other oppressed populations. III. Teaching Methods Lectures, class discussion, reading assignments, small group discussions and presentations will be utilized to achieve course objectives. Guest lecturers and films will provide supplementary learning resources. Lectures are designed to supplement readings. Students are expected to come prepared to each class and participate in discussions of assigned readings and of supplementary material presented in lectures. Since this course is cross-listed there will be some differences in expectations for undergraduate and graduate students. IV. Required Readings Freeman, E. M., & Logan, S. L. (Eds.) (2004). Reconceptualizing the strengths and common heritage of Black families: Practice, research, and policy issues. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher. Social Work Practice with African American Families – Required reading packet available at McCombs Business School – Room 3.136 at 21st and Speedway. Bring your registration form as proof of registration for the class because you may be asked to present it.Page 3 Copies of readings are also available in the LRC located in the basement of the School of Social Work. Students may check out readings with student ID. V. Course Requirements A. REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS FOR ALL (GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE) STUDENTS: 1. Attendance, Preparation, Contribution (10% of grade) Students are expected to attend all class sessions and actively participate by raising questions and issues in all class discussions and exercises. Students are expected to be prepared to respond to the instructor’s discussion questions. Participation includes balancing speaking with listening to the ideas of others. 2. Midterm Examination (20% of grade) All students are expected to complete an in class midterm on March 10th. The exam will contain a combination of objective and essay questions. 3. Reflection Papers (15% of grade) All students are expected to complete three (3) reflection papers during the semester. Papers will focus on the main themes of the selected week’s class readings. During class on January 20th students will have an opportunity to identify three topics topics from the syllabus. to focus on in their reflection papers. In the papers, students will discuss briefly their reason for selecting the specific topic, brief summary of the content in the readings, the personal significance of the readings and how the readings contribute to their understanding of African American families. Papers are required to be 3-4 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, 12-font, and adhere to APA 5th edition journal format. Papers will be due at the beginning of the class on the day the selected assigned readings will be discussed. B. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: 1. Research Paper (30% of grade) Students will be required to write an 8 – 10 page research paper that will focus on African American families’ life experiences or issues faced by some African American families. Papers are required to be typed, double-spaced, 12-font and adhere to APA 5th edition journal format. Papers should include personal reflection or experience with the chosen topic. Students will be responsible for turning in a paper proposal that identifies the paper topic, specific issues they plan to cover and how they will go about researching their topic. Students are expected to research the paper topic beyond class readings using professional journals and publications as primary sources. Paper Proposal Due: February 10th Research Paper Due: May 5th 2. Final Examination (25% of grade) A final examination will be administered in May 13, 2005. The exam will contain a combination of