Course Description
Exploration of the interpersonal collaboration among athletic professionals and the role the social worker would provide to a team. Also, a discussion of direct practice approaches for youth, collegiate, and professional athletes from a micro mezzo and macro level.
Athena Title
Social Work Sports and Athlete
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SOWK 4392, SOWK 7392, SOWK 7392E
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Prerequisite
SOWK 2154
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Learning Outcomes 1. Understand the conceptual frameworks of Sports Social Work Theory and the relationship between an athlete's behavior within the context of their social environments. 2. Understand how the environment and group membership influence the risk factors of the athlete. 3. Provide assessment and interventions to meet the athlete's specific needs. 4. Understand an athlete's vulnerabilities, identity, economic and human rights, and social justice issues. 5. Advocate for athletes' rights and well-being by understanding current policies, rules, and regulations.
Topical Outline
Week 1: Social Work Ethics and Athletes • NASW Code of Ethics • Integrating Collegiate Sports into Social Work Education • The Social Worker's Role in Serving Vulnerable Athletes • Interprofessional Collaboration Week 2: Introduction to Social Work and Athletics • SW Movement • Sport Social Work Theory Week 3: Athlete Identity • Behavioral Risks • Athlete Identity, Who Are You? • A Comparison of Athlete and Student Identity in DI and DIII Athletes Week 4: Influence of Family on Youth Sports • The Significance of Family Culture for Sports Participation • Parent Perspectives on the Benefits of Sports Participation in Young Children • Sports Specialization in Young Athletes: Evidence-Based Recommendations Week 5: Coaching Perspective • Role of School Social Work • School Sports, Sexual Abuse, and the Utility of School Social Workers • Interassociation Recommendations for Developing a Plan to Recognize and Refer Student-Athletes with Psychological Concerns at the Secondary School Level: A Consensus Statement Week 6: Female Athletes • Title IX Policy Week 7: Collegiate Sports: Exploitation • Race, Social Justice, Equality, and Fair Pay • Are NCAA Division I Athletes Prepared for End-of-Athletic-Career Transition? A Literature Review • Profit-Athletes’ Athletic Role Set and Post-Athletic Transitions Week 8: Direct Practice Engagement and Assessment • How to Engage and Build Rapport with Athletes Week 9: Retirement • Advocacy and Policy Reform Week 10: Eating Disorders • Eating Disorders in Athletes: Overview of Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment Week 11: Seeking Mental Health Services • Substance Use • Stepping Outside of Their Comfort Zone: Perceptions of Seeking Behavioral Health Services Among College Athletes • Mental Health in College Athletics; It's Time for Social Work to Get in the Game Week 12: Domestic Violence • Sexual Abuse and Assault • Sexual Violence in Intercollegiate Athletics: A Historical Perspective of Male Athletic Entitlement • Intercollegiate Athletes and Sexual Violence: A Review of Literature and Recommendations for Future Study • Assessing the Sociology of Sport: On Sexual Harassment Research and Policy Week 13: LGBTQ Perspectives Week 14: Challenges and Barriers to Change Week 15: Special Topics: Paying of College Athletes