Instructor: Kristi Clark

Email: clarkkb@lamarpa.edu

Phone: 409-984-6102

Office Hours: By Appointment

Additional Contact Information: 936-596-0573 (call or text)

Development of the philosophy and practice of social work in the United States, survey of the fields and techniques of social work.

Introduction to Social Work

An Advocacy-Based Profession

4th Edition

• Author(s)
• Lisa E. Cox; Carolyn J. Tice; Dennis D. Long
• Publisher
• Published by SAGE Publications, Inc 
• Copyright© 2027

eText ISBN:9781071929179

Additional ISBNs

9781071929131, 9781071929155, 9781071929186

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Required Equipment

• A reliable computer and stable internet connection are required.
• Mobile devices (cell phones or tablets) are not sufficient for accessing or completing course content.

Computer Skills and Digital Information

• All students must use a computer for this course. The recommended browser is Google Chrome for Blackboard navigation. Do not use Internet Explorer or Safari, as they do not support all Blackboard features.
• Students are responsible for ensuring their computer is properly configured to access all aspects of the course.
• Basic computer skills are required, including the ability to use a word processor with tools such as spell check and grammar check. Students should also be able to follow computer tutorials as needed.

TSIA complete in English Language Arts and Reading. 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the historical development of social work in the United States.
2. Differentiate the profession of social work from other helping professions.
3. Identify the core values of social work as outlined in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
4. Describe the primary roles and functions of social workers (e.g., advocate, broker, facilitator).
5. Recognize diverse practice settings where social workers serve and explain how these settings shape professional roles.
6. Summarize the Generalist Intervention Model.
7. Discuss how the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners Code of Conduct guides practice.
8. Explain how the NASW Code of Ethics informs ethical decision-making.
9. Describe social work’s commitment to advancing human rights and social justice.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of social work’s responsibility to serve diverse populations.
11. Explain the importance of self-care in preventing burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma.

Core Objectives:

• Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective communication through written, oral, and/or visual forms.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Apply creative and innovative thinking through inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organization of concepts, and construction of solutions.
• Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Apply scientific and mathematical concepts to real-world problems.
• Social Responsibility: Demonstrate intercultural competence and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national, and global communities.
• Personal Responsibility: Connect choices and actions to ethical decision-making, recognizing their consequences.

General Course Topics

Introduction to Social Work (SOCW 2361)

• Chapter 1: The Social Work Profession
• Chapter 2: The History of Social Work
• Chapter 3: Generalist Social Work Practice
• Chapter 4: Advocacy in Social Work
• Chapter 5: Poverty and Inequality
• Chapter 6: Family and Child Welfare
• Chapter 7: Health Care and Health Challenges
• Chapter 8: Physical, Cognitive, and Developmental Challenges
• Chapters 9 & 10: Mental Health; Substance Abuse and Addiction
• Chapters 11 & 12: Helping Older Adults; Criminal Justice
• Chapter 13: Communities at Risk and Housing
• Chapter 14: The Changing Workforce
• Chapter 15: Veterans, Their Families, and Military Social Work
• Chapters 16 & 17: Environmentalism; International Social Work

!

December 10, 2026

Grading Scale

• A: 900–1000 points (90–100%)
• B: 800–899 points (80–89%)
• C: 700–799 points (70–79%)
• D: 600–699 points (60–69%)
• F: 0–599 points (Below 60%)

Grading Breakdown

Course Policies

• Academic Integrity: Cheating or plagiarism—whether intentional or unintentional—or assisting others in dishonest practices will result in an F for the course. All work must be original and completed by the individual student.
• Exams and Assignments: Students may request individual discussions with the instructor regarding exams and assignments. Late work will not be accepted.
• Instructor Availability: The instructor is available for consultation during scheduled office hours or by appointment.
• Classroom Conduct: Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Students who engage in disruptive or disrespectful conduct may be permanently removed from the course and assigned a final grade of F.

Attendance and Participation Policy

Research consistently shows a strong connection between regular attendance and college success. Students who accumulate more than three absences will receive an academic penalty, as outlined by the instructor.

Active participation is also required in the online environment. Students must log into their Blackboard course at least twice each week to stay current with assignments, announcements, and course materials.

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.