This course is designed to give the student a comprehensive study of the principles of law in social work practice. Legal principles and procedures of special relevance to social work practice are presented in this course. The basic structure and operation of the American legal systems considered along with legal provisions related to: civil rights; crime and delinquency; child welfare; education; family development and crises; mental health; health; and the regulation of social work practice.
The student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following:
2. Demonstrate and apply in practice knowledge of the law directly related to social work practice, including certification and licensing, confidentiality, malpractice and other forms of professional liability, and responsibility for reporting child abuse and neglect;
3. Demonstrate and apply in practice knowledge of the major status, court opinions, and legal issues of relevance to social work practice in the areas of criminal justice, juvenile justice, child welfare, domestic relation mental health, and health;
4. Appreciate the legal rights of clients and client groups, particularly their right to due process and equal protection;
5. Recognize where discrimination and institutionalized forms of oppression exist against racial minorities, women, and other groups and identify the legal remedies against such discrimination and oppression; and ,
6. Demonstrate skills in essential legal areas, including research,
preparing for and testifying in court, and referring to and working with
attorneys.
Group Scholarly Research Paper. Each group will be required to write a scholarly research paper on a specific legal topic. Topics will be assigned by the Professor based on students interest. This paper and presentation are the major requirements for this course. Each student will be required to participate fully and present their papers to the class. A mock trial will be set up where each group will advocate on behalf of their clients. Using the topic in which they researched. This assignment is meant to help students understand the importance of preparing a good case for court and advocating for clients. There are several parts to this assignment. Instructions will be given later. (60% of grade)
Class Participation. Each student is required to participate in all assignments. Participation is a necessity based on the nature of the major assignment. Class participation percentage is based solely at the professors discretion. (15% of grade)
Saltzman, Andrea and Kathleen Proch. Law in Social Work Practice. Chicago: Nelson Hall Inc., 1990.
Week 2 The hearing process, including social workers roles in
the process
(Chapters 2, 3, and 21)
Week 3 Locating and using legal sources (chapter 4)
Week 4 Basic constitutional principles; civil rights; legal remedies for violations of civil rights (chapter 5)
Week 5 Quiz 1/Criminal law (chapter 6)
Week 6 Juvenile Delinquency (Chapter 7)
Week 7 Child Protection and Adoption (Chapters 8 and 9)
Quiz 2 Take Home
Week 8 Meet in groups to prepare case for court
Week 9 Quiz 2 Due in class
Domestic Violence/ Marriage and Termination of Marriage (Chapter 13,
11)
Week 10 Spring Break: No Class
Week 11 Child Custody and Support ( Chapter 12)
Week 12 Mental Health commitment; guardianship; protection of
institutionalized persons and Health Care
(chapters 14, 15, 16 and 17)
Week 13 Professional and Legal Regulation of social work practice: Certification, Accreditation, Licensing, and Confidentiality (chapters 18 and 19)
Week 14 Groups meet to prepare cases for court
Quiz 3 Take Home
Week 15 Mock Court Presentations/Quiz 3 Due in class
Week 16 Mock Court Presentations
Note: Other readings might be assigned throughout the semester