SOCW 2361:
An overview of the history and development of social work as a profession. The course is designed to foster a philosophical, historical, and critical understanding of the social work profession, including social work values, ethics, and areas of practice utilized under a Generalist Intervention Model. (SOCW 2361 is included in the Social Work Field of Study.)
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Unexpected circumstances may arise, but Panola College offers various resources to support students. If you need mental health services or are facing challenges with transportation, affording class materials and supplies, or accessing food regularly—issues that may impact your class performance—please visit panola.edu/resources.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
Use of generated AI Permitted under some classroom circumstances with permission.
There are situations throughout the course where you may be asked to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to explore how they can be used. Outside of those circumstances, you should not use AI tools to generate content that will end up in any student work (assignments, activities, discussion responses, etc.). In such cases for Option #2, no more than 25% of the student work should be generated by AI. Use of any AI-generated content in this course without the instructor’s consent qualifies as academic dishonesty and violates Panola College’s standards of academic integrity.
An overview of the history and development of social work as a profession. The course is designed to foster a philosophical, historical, and critical understanding of the social work profession, including social work values, ethics, and areas of practice utilized under a Generalist Intervention Model. (SOCW 2361 is included in the Social Work Field of Study.)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Discuss the historical development of social work in the United States.
2. Distinguish the profession of social work from other helping professions.
3. Identify core values of social work as stated in the National Association of Social Worker (NASW) Code of Ethics.
4. Identify the primary roles and functions of social workers (advocate, broker, facilitator, etc.).
5. Identify practice settings where social workers function and articulate how these settings influence the roles of social workers.
6. Describe the Generalist Intervention Model.
7. Describe how the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners Code of Conduct guides social work practice.
8. Describe how the NASW Code of Ethics guides social work practice.
9. Describe social work’s goal of advancing human rights and justice.
10. Describe social work’s obligation to serve diverse populations.
11. Articulate the importance of self-care to prevent burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma.
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:
- The History and Profession of Social Work.
- Professional Writing and APA Style.
- The NASW Code of Ethics and Professional Values.
- Cultural Competence, Humility, and Diversity.
- Theoretical Perspectives on Culture.
- Social Work Practice: Generalist Practice and Systems Theory.
- The Person in Environment and Social Ecosystems.
- Introduction to Social Work Research and Evidence-Based Practice.
- Lifespan Development Theories.
- Humanistic and Holistic-Dynamic Psychology (Rogers and Maslow).
- Social Work Practice Settings: Prevention and Promotion.
- Social Welfare Policies and Programs: Poverty and Public Policy.
- Client Populations: Child Welfare and Foster Care.
- Gerontology and Challenges for the Aging Population.
- Social Work within Health Care, Mental Health, and Criminal Justice Systems.
Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery Instruction will consist of lecture, class discussion, and classroom assignments. For online sections, instruction consists of completing readings and assignments for each chapter.
- Participation/Attendance: 5%
- Assignments/Projects: 35%
- Quizzes: 20%
- Tests: 30%
- Final Exam: 10%
Grading Scale A= 90 - 100% | B= 80 - 89% | C= 70 - 79% | D= 60 – 69% | F= Below 60%
Major Assignments/Assessments
- Assignments: Weekly projects and reflective writing designed to explore course concepts in depth.
- Participation/Attendance: Evaluated based on professional behavior and engagement in class or online.
- Quizzes: Open-book study tools for each chapter to reinforce material mastery.
- Tests: 2–4 proctored exams covering chapter content.
- Final Exam: A comprehensive exam given at the end of the semester.
Textbook: SWHS 300: Introduction to Social Work/Human Services (Bradshaw). This text is an Open Education Resource (OER) disseminated via the LibreTexts Project. It is free and available for reading, printing, and digital consumption.
Bradshaw (Ed.). (2026). SWHS 300: Introduction to Social Work/Human Services. LibreTexts..
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- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- The Accommodations & Disability Support (A&DS) Office at Panola College provides and facilitates support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. The A&DS office works under the federal guidelines included in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Accommodations & Disability Support (A&DS) Office located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/disabilitysupport for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook (located in the Panola College Catalog)