SW8151

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for beginning social work practice with individuals and systems with a focus on engagement and assessment. The course is designed to develop conceptual understanding and skills in social work practice. The course employs several orienting perspectives to aid the understanding of the profession, its values, its knowledge base, and its skills. Orienting frameworks that govern this course include ecological and problem-solving models as well as strengths-based, culturally-humble, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and evidence-informed approaches to social work practice (see your textbook, page 19). Topical focus is on communication and interviewing skills; ethics; and assessment for strengths, identity, and risk. Students learn relationship-building skills that equip them to conduct interviews, including how to build rapport and enhance motivation. Students learn how to apply ethical principles, such as facilitating self-determination in order to pursue equity, social justice, and empowerment for all client systems with knowledge that practice occurs within a context of diversity.

000430

Every Fall & Spring