Course Syllabus

Spring 2025 | SWK-2070-VO03 - Social Justice & Public Policy

Online Class

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

Faculty

Virginia Merriam
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Gilberto Diaz Santos

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 IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

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-VO03 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.

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

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/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
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