Course Catalog

SWK200E Explorations in Social Work (3 credits) 9592

COURSE DESCRIPTION
An initial exposure to the field of social work by exploring what social workers are, what social workers do, and the setting in which they work. Examination of the knowledge, value and skill base, practice settings, education and career opportunities, and the interrelationships between social work and social welfare in the United States. Opportunity is given for the student to explore his/her own interest in and potential for a career in social work. Service learning component provides interaction with a variety of community based agencies.

LEARNING RESULTS
The Learner will be able to:
• Demonstrate beginning knowledge base regarding basic practice settings, social work practice and career opportunities
• Develop a beginning knowledge about systems that provide people with services, opportunities, and resources.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate Christian faith with social work practice
• Demonstrate understanding of and tolerance for differences based on gender, ethnicity, religious creed, sexual orientation, and age
• Demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills
• Develop an awareness of self that utilizes strengths and works on limitations
• Participate in service learning opportunity
• Demonstrate a commitment of service to others
• Demonstrate ability to use written communication skills

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Berg-Weger. 2005. Social Work and Social Welfare: An Invitation . New York, New York. McGraw Hill Companies.
Keith-Lucas, Alan. 1985. So You Want to Be a Social Worker. North American Association of Christians in Social Work.

 To purchase textbooks, click here - AMAZON.com

INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
The integration of faith and learning is evidenced in this course through required readings particularly the text, So You Want to be a Social Worker. The text addresses how we as Christians view issues such as suffering and parallels the importance of our values as Christians to the values of the Social Work Profession.
The integration of faith and learning is also addressed in requiring the student to conversate with others (friends and family) about their views concerning poverty. Students will have to address their beliefs on the issue of how we assist in the welfare of others.
The integration of faith and learning will further be evidenced in the following assignment: after reading the required text, completing interviews and engaging in self-evaluation the student will be required to complete a final paper comparing and contrasting Biblical valules and social work values.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
Service Learning
As a part of the course, the student will complete at least 15 hours of volunteer experience. Prior to beginning, the experience must be approved by the professor to assure appropriateness. A journal will be kept and submitted with each assignment on all volunteer activities that include the dates and times of each visit. Descriptions of the activity and application of what has been learned as well as personal reflection must be included.

Occupation Paper
The learner will demonstrate beginning knowledge base regarding basic practice settings, social work practice and career opportunities. This learning assignment requires the student to compare and contrast occupations related to and fields of practice in the social work profession
Response paper (Chapter 3)

Chapter 5 assignment
In these two assignments the learner will demonstrate understanding of and tolerance for differences based on gender, ethnicity, religious creed, sexual orientation, and age, demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills and develop an awareness of self that utilizes strengths and works on limitations. This learning assignment will require self evaluation of beliefs and a broader view of societal beliefs about the socioeconomically disadvantaged including aspects of diversity.
Values and Ethics exercises
The learner will demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills and the ability to use written communication skills to address ethical dilemmas in a social work situation.
Final Paper
After you complete your reading of So You Want to be a Social Worker by Alan Keith-Lucas you will write a final paper entitled: Social Work Values Vs. Biblical Values. You are to prepare a research paper (5-7 pages) with at least seven (7) sources (including the Bible, books, journals, interviews, etc.). In the paper, discuss social work values (the six core values on page 126 of the textbook) in light of Biblical principles. First, you should discuss the social work values as the profession describes them. Secondly, evaluate the professional value with Biblical support. Finally, using the example of ethical dilemmas, interviews and what you have learned about the profession of social work as it relates to poverty and issues of diversity in the various fields of practice, discuss how you can use social work principles to impact your faith/church community. The Encyclopedia of Social Work, Social Work journal, and Social Work and Christianity (journal) are good resources to explore the discussion.
Two sectional exams

LEARNING EVALUATION
Service Learning 25%
Occupation paper 10%
Chapter assignments 20%
Values exercise 10%
Final Paper 15%
Two Sectional exams 20%
There are 14 assignments and 2 exams for this course.