THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Course Number: SW 393R1 Instructor’s name: Beth Pomeroy, PhD [email protected] Unique Number: 64210 Office Number: SSW 3.106B Semester: Spring, 2007 Office Phone: 232-3405 Meeting Time/Place: Mondays 2:30-5:30 2.118 Office Hours: Mondays 5:30-6:30 or by appointment. CLINICAL ASSESSMENT AND DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS I. Standardized Course Description This course will focus on the incidence, etiology, and assessment of dysfunctional behavior patterns with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Students will learn models of assessment to evaluate human functioning throughout the lifecycle, with emphasis on vulnerable and diverse populations. Major classification systems, such as Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases, and other schemes for assessing and understanding human behavior, will be covered. This course is required of MSSW students in the Clinical concentration. II. Standardized Course Objectives By the end of the semester, students should be able to: 1. Demonstrate familiarity with biological, psychosocial, and cultural theories on the etiology of dysfunctional behavior patterns; 2. Demonstrate the ability to apply multiple methods of assessment, including those developed through classificatory schemes, standardized measures, and qualitative typologies; 3. Describe the relationship between assessment and intervention in social work practice; 4. Demonstrate the ability to adapt assessment models to reflect the needs of persons of diverse social, economic, cultural or ethnic backgrounds, including understanding issues of gender, sexual orientation, and ability; 5. Critically evaluate different theoretical and assessment models as to their efficacy in given situations. This includes: a) the adequacy of the research and knowledge base; b) the range of applicability; c) the value and ethical issues, including the student’s own value system, and d) the policy implications involved in assessment and delivery of services; 112 6. Demonstrate an understanding of the limitations in using classification schemes in understanding human behavior and the danger of mislabeling people, particularly those from at-risk populations. III. Teaching Methods The primary teaching methods will be lectures, discussion, and group exercises. Guest lecturers, group presentations, and audio-visual presentations will also be utilized. IV. Required and Recommended Texts, and Materials Required: American Psychiatric Association (APA). (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th Edition). Washington, DC: Author. Pomeroy, E. C. & Wambach, K. G. (2003). The Clinical Assessment Workbook: Balancing Strengths and Differential Diagnosis. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Campbell, Bebe Moore (2006). 72 Hour Hold. Anchor Books. ISBN-10: 1400033616 Hadden, Mark (2003). The curious incident of the dog in the night-time. Double Day Books. ISBN: 0385512104 (Available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com or other online bookstore). Choose either the Campbell or the Hadden Book. Schiller, Lori & Bennett, Amanda (1996). The Quiet Room: A journey out of the torment of madness. Warner Books. ISBN: 0446671339 (Available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com or other online bookstore). Assigned Readings posted on UT Blackboard Class website. Recommended/Optional: Verghese, Abraham (1999). The Tennis Partner. Perennial. ISBN: 0060931132 (Available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com or other online bookstore). Buelow, G., Hebert, S., & Buelow, S. (2000). Psychotherapist’s resource on psychiatric medications: Issues of treatment and referral. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Jordan, C. & Franklin, C. (2003) Clinical Assessment for Social Workers. 2nd Ed. Chicago, Ill: Lyceum Books.V. Course RequirementsThe following course requirements will be completed during the semester, with points given for each course requirement. Grading will be based on total points accrued by the end of the course. Blackboard assigned readings will be posted for each class session and should be considered part of your required reading assignments. Examinations: Two examinations will be given during the course of the semester (see course schedule for due dates). All exams will consist of both a take-home (50 pts. per take-home portion) and an in-class portion (50 pts. per in-class portion). Students will receive the take-home exam questions at least one week prior to their due date. This portion may include case materials (for assigning diagnoses), short answer, and/or essay questions. Take home examinations must be TYPED. The in-class portions of the exams will be similar to the licensing exam questions and will give the student an opportunity to practice the necessary test-taking skills needed to pass that exam. Combined mid-term in-class and take home exams are worth 100 points, while the combined final in-class and take home exams are worth 100 points. 200 points maximum, exams Two Psychosocial Assessment Papers on the Following Books: • The Quiet Room • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time or 72 Hour Hold Each student will complete a 5-8 page clinical assessment of the main character in each of these books using the outline provided in “The Clinical Assessment Workbook.” Include a description/assessment of the family situation. In the final section of the paper, write a summary of how this individual and family affected you personally and in your role as a social worker (i.e. what were your initial reactions to this person’s disorder; what were your reactions to the family and/or friends’ ability to handle this illness; what were the most difficult parts of the story for you to deal with emotionally; what kinds of questions did it create for you; how did you feel about this person and those impacting him/her at the conclusion of the story; as a social worker, did you feel there were other things that could’ve been done to assist this person and their family or friends). Each paper is worth 75 pts. 150 points maximum, papers Homework Assignments: Case assessments will be assigned on a daily basis and graded on the accuracy and thoroughness of cases. The cases must be turned in on time to be given points. Late homework assignments will not be accepted. 50 points, maximum, homework assignments 3Final grades: A total of 400 points may