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SW 3170 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

SW 3170 - Family Caregiving

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course is an elective social work course. It was initially created for social majors and taught on campus. Now it is popular among interdisciplinary majors across Tennessee and anywhere there is Internet. Topics cover caregiving issues that will benefit college students of all ages. These topics include caregivers gender roles, cost of caregiving, managing stress, respite care, finding resources, financial and legal matters, emerging caregiving trends, long distance caregiving and more.

Course Outcomes:

At the end of the course students will:

• know how caregiving may someday affect most families

• know the profile of informal and family caregivers

• have an understanding of the costs of caregiving

• be aware of emerging trends in caregiving

• have studied state and federal legislation enacted, being considered and needed for caregivers

• know about family caregiving across the life span; particularly intergenerational issues

• understand the dynamics of long distance caregiving

• have knowledge about helping caregivers help themselves

• understand how important various services are to caregivers

• know about responsibilities of caregiving

• be able to identify community resources available to assist caregivers

• have an awareness of optional models of caregiving and their associated costs

• be able to distinguish Hollywood’s portrayal of caregiving with real world experiences

• know that caregivers can live a good life

• appreciate the meaning of death for caregivers among varied cultures

Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

Introduction to Sociology or General Psychology.

Course Topics:

Topics covered in the course include: preparing to become a caregiver, what caregivers do for care recipients, caring for an d aging loved one, cost of caregiving to family caregiver and employer, finding financing,Caregiving is often a shock to the system of caregivers producing stress, caring for the caregiver, working with professional caregivers, long distance caregiving, and emerging trends in caregiving.

Specific Course Requirements:

Successful completion of this course will require the students to become proficient in the use of basic computer and e-mail techniques. The student will be assigned an e-mail address by the university the enrolled to take this course

Students should be skilled in using WORD, sending and receiving e-mails with attachments. Skilled in using a web browser to connect to websites (Internet Explorer). Skilled in developing PowerPoint presentations and sending them by e-mail attachment. *Note: Students in need of assistance in acquiring these skills may contact their home university campus content for on-site assistance and training in the noted areas.

*Note: Students in need of assistance in acquiring these skills may contact their home university campus content for on-site assistance and training in the noted areas.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

Students will be required to rent a video or DVD to view for an assignment in the course

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

No Exams. There are 12 Modules for discussion. Each Module can earn 5 points for a total of 60 points. There are two written assignments: a site visit that can earn 10 points, a ten page scholarly paper that can earn 20 points and a Fun Assignment to review a movie from one of the 5 movies provided that can earn 10 points. In total 100 points can be earned. Also, see Assignments and Projects below. 

Grading Procedures:

See grading scale below. Grading will be done shortly after each assignment is submitted and received through the on-line system used for this course 

Grading Scale:

There will be no traditional exams given in this on-line class. Students will be given written assignments to submit according to a precise schedule to be posted. Plus and minus grades will not be given. There will be 12 discussions topics for each student. The maximum points for each discussion is: 5 points=60 points. There will be a ten page paper for 20 points, a site visit worth 10 points and a movie review worth 10 points. Grading: A-100points, B=80-90 points, C=70-79 points, D=60-69 points, F=59 points or less. Completed assignments must not be emailed to the instructor or mailed to him at MTSU. The on-line system used for administering this course has a feature that allows for the submission of reports. To properly receive grades on a timely and uncomplicated bases that system must be used to submit reports. DO NOT fax your assignment to the instructor.

Assignments and Projects:

See the Course Topics section above Projects for the course:

1.Students will write a ten (10) page paper on issues concerning family caregiving. Students will select a population that is likely to need caregiving from a family member and write about that population following the outline of ASSIGNMENT TWO. Be sure to use the outline in your report to show that you have covered each subject as required. Other populations may also be considered. Also, see the list of TOPICS OF PAPERS WRITTEN IN A PREVIOUS CLASS. The paper must be typed, doubled spaced, using Times New Roman BOLD #12 font size. A bibliography of at least four (4) sources should be included with a balance of publications and web sites and written in APA format. SPECIAL NOTE: Each written paper must have a cover page that has 1. Student’s name, 2. Title of the paper, and 3.Number of pages. This assignment is worth twenty points (20) toward your final grade.

2. Students are required to visit a public or private social services agency that provides direct services to chronically ill persons or persons with a disability of any age and works with family caregivers. The agencies might be senior citizen centers, assisted living centers, rehabilitation centers, adult day care centers, etc. This list will be expanded with student input during the first several weeks of class after local resources have been discussed. Students will write a five (5) page report about their visit. Students will find an outline to follow for organizing and writing the paper at ASSIGNMENT ONE. The outline will show what is expected to be in the report. Be sure to use the outline in your report to show that you have covered each subject as required. This assignment is worth ten (10) points toward your final grade.

3. Because these two papers make up a large part of your grade, you should do your best independent work in preparing them. Consult with the instructor if you experience difficulty, but do so well in advance of their due dates. Students should always keep a copy of all papers you submit.

4.Due dates for both the assignments are given under Dropbox for the course. AS AN ALERT TO STUDENTS: THE ONLINE SYSTEM USED FOR THE COURSE WILL NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO SUBMIT ASSIGNMENTS AFTER THEIR DUE DATES. Students will be able to view and download the ASSIGNMENTS from the D2L site for the course. Many students prepare and save their written reports with a variety of programs extensions. The instructor for this course has difficulty opening, and viewing these reports with extensions other than "doc".

Class Participation:

A statement that students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course if interaction is part of the course design. For example, students must communicate with other students in the chat room, students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource, students must check the course bulletin board and email frequently for announcements, and students must actively participate in threaded discussion events. Students are to make their discussions within their due dates. If you make discussions days after the due date you will be speaking out of sync. In real life you would still be talking on Wednesday about a subject your classmates finished on Monday. This does not make sense, does it? I hope you grasp my point. Be sure to make your discussions before commenting about discussions made by your classmates. There are no makeup assignments/work in this class. Therefore, it is imperative that you actively participate in each discussion to EARN the topmost grade. 

Late Policy:

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on May 15, 2017