400

This course introduces students to the purposes, goals and logic of research methods. The course is oriented toward providing students with basic research skills that can be used in critiquing the research of others and in learning how to evaluate the student's own practice in the future. The course also explains and illustrates the use of research in advocating for new programming, funding, and policy on behalf of at risk-populations. The advanced writing requirement of the General Education Curriculum is successfully completed in this course.

This course is designed to integrate theory, principles and values with actual practice. Students take this course concurrently with the field work internship, relating prior classroom learning as it is applied and using different methods in a variety of fields of practice. The course provides students an opportunity to demonstrate that they can fully integrate academic knowledge with direct, professional responsibilities. Emphasis is placed on students' evaluating their own professional performance.

This course reinforces social work knowledge and values by providing 450 hours of experience in community agencies during the semester. Students and designated field work instructors, supported by a university field education director, design an experience that integrates and enhances course work and promotes entry into the social work profession. Students work and learning experience is directed by the field work instructor in collaboration with the department's field education director.