University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work SW 360K/387R4 – Ethics and Social Work Practice Unique No. 59760/59935 Semester: Fall 1999 Classroom: 2.116 Class Hours: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Office Hours: T & W 4 – 5:30 p.m. And by Appointment Course Description: Instructor: Office No. Work Phone E-mail: Dr. Dennis Haynes, MSW, Ph.D. SSW 2.244 471-9242 [email protected] This course is designed to help students become more effective in dealing with ethical issues in social work practice. It provides a theoretical framework to examine value and ethical dilemmas in a systematic manner. The course is intended to both deepen awareness of new and emerging ethical issues and to provide tools and methodologies for reflection and analysis. A model for ethical decision-making which incorporates the basic components of reflection, analysis, evaluation, and the justification of an ethical position is presented. The orienting frames which organize the content include: philosophical systems underlying major ethical theories; models for ethical choice; codes of ethics; social ethics; organizational ethics; human rights issues; client, third parties, and colleague issues; the ethics of indirect practice—administration and supervision; and bioethics. Course Objectives: At the end of this course, students will be able to: 1. Broaden awareness of the range of subtleties of the value/ethical conflicts in social work practice. 2. Deepen understanding of ethical theory and methodology and its application to ethical conflicts in social work practice. 3. Develop a greater understanding of both individual ethics and the ethics of institutions and collectivities. 4. Develop a greater understanding of how to practice in a conscious and ethical manner. 5. Further understanding of the need for knowledge building in professional social work ethics, including the concept of human rights as an integral component of ethical reasoning. 6. Further appreciation of the responsibility of the profession to utilize philosophical tools of reflections and analysis in a systematic way to critique the underlying values of contemporary social institutions and social policies. 7. Further develop skill in analyzing ethical systems which inform social institutions and organizational structures within which social workers function. 18. Further develop skill in identifying and articulating value and ethical dilemmas in a variety of practice experiences and organizational settings. 9. Further develop skill in utilizing ethical theory and methodology in value and ethical conflicts in social work practice. 10. Develop more skill in identifying and dealing with ethical issues inherent in current practice models and interventions. Required Readings: 1. Corey, G., Corey, M.S., & Callanan, P. (1998). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole. 2. Rothman, J. C. (1998). From the front lines: Student cases in social work ethics. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. In addition, a course packet of required readings is available for purchase by enrolled students at Abel’s Copies located at 715 W. 23rd St., Suite D; Phone 472-5353. The readings are also on reserve in the Learning Resource Center on the first floor of the School of Social Work. Class Policies: 1. Class attendance is expected, as is handing in assignments on time. Students will lose 5 points for each day that an assignment is late. Any adjustments to due dates must be made with the instructor at least 24 hours prior to the regularly scheduled date. 2. Students who fail to attend class on a regular basis (missing more than one class without a valid excuse, e.g., medical documentation) may receive one course grade lower than their final grade when points are totaled. 3. As social work practitioners, we assume responsibility for ourselves. Therefore, it is expected that work handed in will be your own. Scholastic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating during exams or on papers, violates social work values and will result in recommendation for dismissal from the social work program and a referral to the Dean of Student’s Office. 4. Social workers function as team members. Therefore, the course will be viewed as a joint effort between instructor and students. 5. Respect for others is a primary social work value. Therefore, differences in values, opinions, and feelings of class members and guest speakers will be respected. Course Requirements and Grading System: The following course requirements will be completed during the semester, with points given for each course requirement. Grading will be based on average points accrued by the end of the course. 1. Ethical Reflection Papers- Students will select two of six topics covered during the semeser. You will write two 5-6 page papers which integrate your personal reflections on the previous week’s lecture, readings, and case studies. This is more than a review of the readings or a personal opinion paper. It is a combination of scholarship, critical commentary, and personal values reflection. 2As the final step of ethical reflection, students will take an ethical position and defend the position taken. 2. Midterm: This take home assignment will focus on a case assessment. The student will identify ethical dilemmas inherent in the case and possible resolutions for the dilemmas. 3. Case Presentation: This assignment involves studying ethical/legal dilemmas in the social work profession. By the third week in class you will choose a case that you would like to examine in depth. You will be assigned to gather as much material related to the case study as possible. You will be expected to consult with at least three professionals as you investigate this case. You will come to a decision about the case resolution and appropriate sanctions from both a legal and ethical perspective for all involved in the case. Your task will be to educate your classmates about the case and the process you went through to resolve the case. A 8-10 page written analysis report will be due the day of the case presentation. Attachments to the report should include copies of your interviews. with the case consultants, documents used during your investigation, other materials, and references to substantiate your findings Grading System: Course requirements will be weighted as follows: Ethical reflection paper one = 15% Ethical reflection paper two = 15% Take home