Course Syllabus

Summer 2026 | SWK-2070-VO02 - Social Justice & Public Policy

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Melissa Holmes
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

In this course, students develop an understanding of social justice as a perspective for understanding and assessing public policy. Students explore how public policy is developed and the relationship between social service professionals and the policy making process. This foundation is used to better understand avenues for advocacy in public policy and social justice platforms. Prerequisites: Introduction to Research Methods and one of the following courses: Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Early Childhood Education, Introduction to Substance Abuse, Human Growth & Development, or Introduction to Human Services.

Essential Objectives

1. Explore the concepts of oppression and social justice, including how they are experienced and practiced.
2. Analyze the role and functions of personal and professional ethical standards in human services.
3. Explore the relationship between social justice issues and the public policy agenda and how they are influenced by public opinion and legal, political, economic, and historic trends.
4. Explore the use of research in public policy development.
5. Analyze public policy using specific assessment techniques.
6. Explore and practice opportunities for participation in the public policy process.
7. Identify personal values, motivations, skills, and interests as they relate to policy-making and long-term career goals within a desired field.
8. Explore and create personal, professional, and leadership strategies that take into consideration a long-term career goal within one's desired field.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

SWK-2070-VO02 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

How You'll Learn in This Course

This class is designed to keep you active, inspired, and connected to the real world. Here’s how we’ll explore social justice and public policy together:

Active Participation

• Weekly discussion boards where your insights and engagement matter

• Sharing ideas with classmates helps build a vibrant learning community

Voice-Recorded Lectures

• Lectures are delivered through audio PowerPoint recordings

• Accessibility support is available for hearing-impaired students

Mini-Quizzes

• Short quizzes to reinforce key ideas

• No large tests—this course focuses on understanding, not memorization

Midterm Project

• You'll write your first basic Public Policy proposal

• This is your chance to apply concepts from class in a practical format

Weekly Readings

• Sources include The Washington Post, trade journals, and professional magazines

• These readings connect course topics to current events and real-world contexts

Strengths-Based Exercise

• Reflect on areas you excel in and areas for growth

• Discover how your strengths shape your personal and professional journey

Exploring Bias & Personality

• Learn how your values, traits, and biases influence your thinking

• Connect personal reflection to social and policy dynamics

Guest Expert: Nick Zaiac

• A researcher and publisher based in Washington, D.C., You will be analyzing one of his policies

• He’ll advise on how to find credible sources and strengthen your research

Final Project: Big “P” Policy Paper

• A formal, well-researched policy proposal

• Designed to be publication-ready or suitable for real-world submission

Evaluation Criteria

Syllabus Statement: Discussion Philosophy

Our discussion boards are meant to feel like real conversations among thoughtful people, not a series of posts directed at the professor. I intentionally step back so you can step forward—sharing your experiences, challenging ideas, and supporting one another. I am always present, reading and guiding from the background, and I will join the conversation when it adds clarity, depth, or support. This approach mirrors how I teach in person: I trust you to engage meaningfully, and I want you to trust yourselves and each other as we build this learning community together. Discussion Boards are graded on a 70/30 divide of points. Your original and substantial post is due every Friday night at 1159 pm, you then have until Monday night following to respond to three classmates. Each response if worth 10 points for a total of 30 points. You can lose points for not contibuting to the discussion in a meaningful way, for being late with any of your work, and for not having the minimum 3 responses.

Grading: Each week the class ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m., any work that arrives after that time is considered late, and the late work policy deduction will occur. I absolutely do not need you to contact me about late work, that is your perogative to decide to meet or not meet the stated deadlines and due dates. If you have a death or illness, then please provide a note and how long you will need to be out of the class, we will communicate and come up with a plan. These should be rare instances. I am not obligated in any way to meet your travel or vacation needs that might arise. You are responsible for your work, as you have signed up for the 12 weeks of class in a summer session. I grade right away, understand I have three full courses, so it can take until Friday or Saturday to finish grading, on large work projects, I will also need Monday to grade. I never grade more than one week late. Never.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

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