Social Welfare - Interdisciplinary Aging Pract

Catalog description

Interdisciplinary Aging Practice is designed to meet the needs of social work students and those from related disciplines such as psychology, sociology, speech and hearing, nursing, medicine, and public health who have an interest in multilevel practice and research with older adults. The course is informed by a social justice-oriented perspective and seeks to foster integrated critical thinking across aging- and life course-related theory, practice, policy, and research with an emphasis on issues of diversity and equity. Students will be required to reflect on their own biases and preconceptions around aging and how aging-related topics impact their lives in professional and personal ways. Students will also gain exposure to and skills in direct practice approaches, such as narrative therapy, life reviews, legacy building, and reminiscence therapy. As interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to gerontological practice and scholarship, this course applies a cross-discipline learning model to foster in students a critical awareness of their own disciplinary identities and contributions. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW Advanced Standing plan of study or completion of social welfare generalist courses.