500

In the foundation year curriculum, students learn the Generalist Practice Model of social work. This course is the first of two practice courses, and students will learn the history and mission of the profession, the code of ethics, and practice skills used with individuals and families. Specifically, students will learn the social work processes of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. The course focuses on the acquisition of specific skills needed in the design and implementation of support, education and counseling services for individuals and families. Students are introduced to the principles and practices of working with individuals and families from the biopsychosocial perspective and Person-in-Environment framework. The emphasis of this course is on the development of foundation level practice skills, characterized by the utilization of multiple theories to explain problems in social functioning and change processes within different agency contexts.

This course introduces students to biopsychosocial development across the lifespan. Theories of human development and the social environment are explored to further understanding of social work practice related to engagement, assessment, and intervention.  A range of theories are introduced to understand the complexity of human behavior.  Attention is given to the context of human development related to culture, race, class, and other social systems. Theories examined include psychodynamic, psychosocial, cognitive, behavioral, family systems, and others.

This course examines the social work profession’s commitment to social justice and service through an exploration of diversity, oppression and privilege. Rooted in the person-in-environment perspective and empowerment practices, this course examines the personal, institutional and structural nature of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, classism, and other forms of oppression. The concept of cultural humility will be explored, allowing students to develop the capacity to understand the cultural experiences of diverse groups. Course content, structure, and learning activities are designed to enhance personal and professional self-awareness in order to develop the knowledge, values, and skills required for culturally sensitive social work practice.

This course examines the history of social welfare programs, social welfare problems, and current social welfare programs. The course focuses on the role of economic and political ideology and its influence on the development of social welfare programs and social work practice. Recognizing that social workers need to be informed practitioners and citizens, the course contextualizes the social situations that clients navigate.
              

The Field Placement & Seminars I and II, two courses over the academic year, provides an opportunity for students to process and integrate knowledge and affective learning to skill development. Classroom knowledge and field experiences provide the content of the course in the development of generalist practice skills. Students apply knowledge related to the social work processes of engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation to examples for their field agencies. Social work values and ethics, issues of diversity and justice, and context of practice are examined in the course.

Through a generalist practice perspective, students explore groups, including committees, teams, and advisory boards. Students learn about the roles and functions of the group leader. Theories and methods of change with organizations and communities are introduced through the application of social work processes of engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation.

This class provides a framework for identifying human behavior within the context of maladaptive patterns of psychological functioning. Emphasis is placed on major forms of psychopathology, while encouraging students to identify client strengths. This course introduces students to the DSM V and social worker’s role in the diagnosis of psychopathology as part of a multidisciplinary team.

This course is designed to prepare students to become competent evaluators of their own practice, to become critical consumers of research in the social and behavioral sciences, and to generate knowledge using quantitative and qualitative methods. Students learn foundational research skills and statistical analysis methods. Students understand their ethical obligations related to research.

The Field Placement & Seminars I and II, two courses over the academic year, provides an opportunity for students to process and integrate knowledge and affective learning to skill development. Classroom knowledge and field experiences provide the content of the course in the development of generalist practice skills. Students apply knowledge related to the social work processes of engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation to examples for their field agencies. Social work values and ethics, issues of diversity and justice, and context of practice are examined in the course.

A defining feature of a profession is a code of ethics. This course explores the mission and history of the social work profession. An exploration of the NASW Code of Ethics to understand the values underlying the profession, the purpose of the Code of Ethics, and the ethical principles and standards is undertaken. The complex nature of social work practice means that social work practitioners will face ethical decisions and dilemmas in all contexts of practice and at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. This course provides a framework for ethical decision-making, deepening the student's understanding of personal and professional values, analyzing the conflict, applying philosophical worldview, and determining the ethical practice. The increasingly complex nature of technology and its impact on social work practice is considered.