Other Information about the Course |
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL SERVICES- SSWK110
Dear Students:
Please let me take this opportunity to welcome you to Introduction to Social Services as well as to the Online Learning Program of Bucks County Community College.
As you may already be aware, the Online Learning Program is significantly different from traditional
college courses. Perhaps the most striking difference is that the course will lack traditional classroom instruction and regular face-to-face interaction with the professor. It will largely be up to you, the student, to set your own pace as you review and study the materials that will be assigned. The eLearning student, therefore, needs more self-discipline, more self-motivation and must focus more significantly on writing skills. The greatest benefit to the student is the flexibility of your time in meeting the requirements of the course, and fewer, if any, trips to campus! Your grade in the course will be
determined by your submission of written assignments, chapter quizzes, volunteer work & journal, a midterm and a final examination, and your timely contributions to the on-line discussions.
I want to also welcome everyone to your first college course in Social Services. Orientation:
There will be orientation information posted on our Canvas site to familiarize you with the objectives and requirements of the course
Textbook and Other Requirements:
The textbook we will be using this semester will be: "Social Work: An Empowering Profession" by Brenda DuBois & Karla Miley. (7th Edition, Allyn & Bacon)You will need to purchase access to MySocialWorkLab as well. You will need to have access to a personal computer to participate in the on-line discussion questions, take exams and to submit assignments.
Course Requirements:
- Read all assigned chapters in the textbook; . (Feel free to read the non-assigned chapters as well - when your time permits).
- Prepare and submit one (1) Critical Thinking Paper. You will have several to choose from. Parameters for this assignment will be posted on our site. I will comment on and grade these essays and post the grades on our website.
- There will be several Chapter quizzes throughout the semester. These are primarily, twenty question, multiple choice quizzes. These quizzes can be taken at your convenience from your home computer. Or, if you prefer, they can be taken at any of the Bucks County Community College Testing Centers.
- There will be a mid-term exam which will test your comprehension of the first half of the course.
This exam can be taken from home or at any of the Bucks County Community College Testing Centers during a two to four day period, the dates of which will be posted on our site. If you decide to take the exam on campus, please check the Online Learning
website for testing center locations and hours of operation.
- There will be a final exam which will consist of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions
for the second half of the course. The testing parameters remain the same as above.
- Volunteer Work & Journal- Each student will be required to 15 hours of supervised volunteer work at a social service agency in the area. A journal of this work must be maintained and submitted.
- Discussion Questions will be posted throughout the semester. You will have approximately one week to respond, as well as read your classmates' responses. The second week of each question is reserved for your reply/reaction/analysis of the 1st week of the discussion.
Contact With the Professor:
Although the bulk of the course work is completed individually, regular and frequent contact with the
Professor is encouraged and expected. You should feel free to contact me at any time with questions you may have on any aspect of the course. My office is in Penn Hall Room 313, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA
18940. My office phone number is 215-504-8500, ext. 6327. If you leave me a voicemail, speak slowly and be sure to include your full name, course, telephone number and when I can reach you. And, of course, if you prefer e-mail, you can e-mail me on our Canvas site - simply go to the "Mail" function and click on 'Compose.' A second, less preferred choice would be my college address: KannerL@bucks.edu.
Canvas:
We will be utilizing several features of Canvas, but most frequently the "Discussion" tool,the "Assessments" link, "Weblinks", and the many posted 'content' pages. Please log into Canvas and review the Student Orientation and Student Materials which are available to students before the start of the semester. Students will be introduced to the on-line discussion feature as well as other tools we will be using, (i.e. the Assignments Drop-Box and Mail). We will also be using "MySocWorkLab" - be sure to purchase access to this via a bundle with your text - or purchase of an access code from the bookstore. The access code alone provides you with a e-text, so you would not have to purchase a hard copy. Also, make sure to do the 'Check Browser' in order for your computer to run correctly with Canvas.
In conclusion, I want to extend to each of you my best wishes for an interesting and productive semester. I look forward to 'meeting' you and introducing you to a fascinating subject!
Sincerely,
Linda Kanner, MSW, LCSW, Adjunct Professor
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