Social Work & Social Welfare

Catalog description

This course is the first in the social work curriculum to begin the process of establishing a knowledge base for practice. As a foundational level course, it is of significant importance in the curriculum. Students will study the history of social work through the eyes of those who set out to change the world through the establishment of the profession of social work and their advocacy in the field of social welfare. They will be introduced to the roles and responsibilities of professional social workers, the mission of the profession as it relates to social and economic justice, and the importance of advocating for the poor and the disadvantaged. Students will learn skills of self-reflection and self-regulation in the management of personal values and professionalism. Students will learn the importance of ethical behavior. They will learn about advocacy and the importance of research and life-long learning. This course addresses the multitude of current and dynamic issues facing social workers today. It addresses the importance of professional social work in critical practice settings and how the profession is making a difference in changing the world through advocacy for social and economic justice.