SW611 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Clinical Social Work

Using case-based material, this course provides an understanding of legal and ethical issues confronted by social workers in clinical practice.  The course includes an overview of basic legal concepts and principles as well as an examination of the NASW Code of Ethics.  Students are expected to develop a systematic reasoning process through which values conflicts within a clinical practice are addressed constructively and productively.  Topics include informed consent and refusal; confidentiality and privacy; capacity and competence, guardianship and conservatorship; duty to warn/protect; assisted suicide and euthanasia; malpractice and risk management issues and mandated reporting for a child, elder, and disabled abuse and neglect.