Course Description
Theory and practice of generalist social work. Knowledge, skills, and ethical principles needed for beginning social work practice. Problem identification, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of practice with individuals from a person-in-environment perspective. Lab emphasizes application of theory to cases involving individuals as clients.
Athena Title
General Practice of SW I
Non-Traditional Format
Learning teams, which promote critical thinking, research, writing and discussion skills, and which require extensive work out of class, will be used.
Prerequisite
(SOWK 2154 or SOWK 2154S) and SOWK 2155 and (SOWK 2156 or SOWK 2156E) and permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Learning will take place in the classroom through lectures, classroom exercises, videos, and other activities that will require students to actively participate. Class lectures and exercises are based on the required readings from the texts that should be completed before class. Students are encouraged to discuss cases from their fieldwork or past experiences as they pertain to the content of the course. This sharing will strongly enrich class discussions. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion. Class participation should reflect the students’ understanding and comprehension of class assignments and readings. Students are to be prepared for all classes by completing each reading and assignment.
Topical Outline
1. Identify and describe key terms and concepts associated with ecosystems theory and apply ecosystems theory to social work vignettes. Practice Behaviors 2. Define human diversity, understanding various cultural strengths and protective factors for persons of color and identify the effects of oppression on various diverse populations. Be able to identify the effects of oppression on the diverse population and appreciate the way in which social and economic forces affect human functioning for populations at risk. Practice Behaviors 3. Identify and describe social work values by understanding a professional helping relationship characterized by empathy, concern for others, acceptance of difference, genuineness, and client self-determination. Practice Behaviors 4. Understand various social work roles in micro, mezzo, and macro social work practice, including advocate, broker, direct practitioner, community organizer, and planner. Practice Behaviors 5. Begin to understand the intervention process, including client engagement and the client-worker relationship. Practice Behaviors 6. Show awareness of personal prejudices, biases, and stereotypes and develop a plan to control for and work toward the elimination of those biases when interacting with clients. Practice Behaviors 7. Demonstrate an ability to identify one’s personal position on issues, values, and thoughts concerning professional social work. Practice Behaviors 8. Examine and review National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and decision-making strategies from the literature. Practice Behaviors