This second semester course critically analyzes how contemporary clinical theories explain the inner dynamics and external experiences of family systems. Practical applications of family theory are explored through case examples, role play and self-reflective writing that includes both self-analysis and critique of how sociocultural factors influence how we assess and work with families. Students are exposed to a range of family structures and caregiving systems and also to the larger social contexts of race, social class, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identification, and culture, which influence the distribution of resources made available to these families. The role of the clinician as activist is explored as students reflect upon what their professional roles will be as community practitioners. Must be enrolled in: Master of Social Work.
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
Upon successful completion of Advanced Clinical Practice with Families students will:
Discussions are an important part of the learning process in this course. Students are expected to post an initial response to the weekly discussion questions by Saturday, adhering to the requirements outlined in the Discussion Rubric, and to return on at least one additional day of the class week to respond to a minimum of 3 classmates in meaningful and substantive ways. This equates to a minimum of 4 total posts spread over at least two different days. Students are welcome and encouraged to begin posting earlier than Saturday, but Saturday is the latest acceptable day for initial posts.
Family Journal: Each week you will submit a one-page family reflection journal. This reflective writing assignment will relate to one or more of the topics covered in the Thomlinson Family Assessment Handbook. Your weekly journal provides an opportunity for you to think in a reflexive way about important aspects of working with families — reflexive in the sense of how your assumptions, beliefs, and perhaps biases influence the way you experience, interpret, and act with family clients. You are encouraged to push yourself to new realizations and insights in your weekly journal entry. Citations are not required unless you choose to include something from a specific source to enhance your reflective process.
Assignment #1, Comparison of Classic Family Therapy Approaches Paper – Sharon Family Case (Assignment 1): In this 7 to 8-page paper, you will choose one of the classic family therapy models from module 3 (either the transgenerational or the experiential model) and one of the classic family therapy models from module 4 (either the structural or the strategic model) and apply the chosen models to the Case of Sharon and her Family (Thomlison pp. 196-197).
Assignment #2, Social Constructionist Intervention Paper – Del Sol Family Case (Assignment 2): In this 7 to 8-page paper, you will choose either Solution-Oriented (focused) Family Therapy or Narrative Family Therapy and apply the chosen model to the Del Sol Family Case Study (Thomlison pp. 219-222).
Grading and Feedback Method: Grading and feedback methods are provided for each assignment. Please refer to the Learning Modules for more information.
Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the Course Schedule.
The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Assignment | Point Value | Percentage of Grade |
---|---|---|
Weekly Participation in All Discussions | 200 points (25 points X 8) | 20% |
Weekly Family Reflection Journal | 200 points (25 points X 8 ) | 20% |
Assignment #1: Comparison of Classic Family Therapy Approaches Paper - Sharon Family Case | 300 points | 30% |
Assignment #2: Social Constructionist Intervention Paper - Del Sol Family Case | 300 points | 30% |
Total | 1,000 points | 100% |
Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Unless otherwise specified below, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit week. Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 PM Saturday, and responses to classmates are due by the end of the week; except for the early discussion due-dates noted in Module Seven.
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Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.