Teaching

This course will concentrate on dementias that afflict older adults in ever increasing numbers, focusing on the magnitude, pathology, progression, treatment and interventions for these diseases. Client, family, and human service systems, long-term care, and personal care issues will be studied in depth. The course will offer opportunities for geriatric care managers to gain a pragmatic experience in dealing with dementia clients, their families and other care providers.

From a global life-course perspective, this course provides an introduction to the study of aging as one of many normal life processes in contemporary culture. Issues discussed include the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging and the implications of those factors.

This course provides an overview of adult development from early adulthood through death, and focuses on both normative changes and individual differences in aging. Topics discussed include biological changes, changes in health and health habits, cognitive and intellectual changes, sex roles and family roles, work and associated roles, development of relationships, changes in personality and motivation, mental health and psychopathology, and death and dying. Developmental theories, models, and research methods will also be discussed.

This course examines historical development and current implementation of social policies specific to the aging population. Discussion of policies affecting income, health care, social services, and volunteerism will be addressed throughout the course.

This course focuses on several behavioral and social science theories, determinants of risk, and ways to link theories to prevention interventions. The course includes exercises in understanding the factors that influence behavior; an overview of the different levels of interventions; a framework to link theory, behavioral determinants and interventions; and small group work to strengthen skills learned in the course.

Utilizing a global perspective, this course employs a socio-cultural perspective that challenges students to think critically about diverse cultural groups. Sociological concepts such as culture, social structures, exchange systems, and family systems are examined as they relate to different cultures throughout the world.

A systems approach to the study and assessment of contemporary social welfare programs is a central theme of this course. Focuses on the interplay of social, political, and economic forces that influence the planning and implementation of social welfare services are examined.

Through an interactive teaching format, including small group work, this course teaches the development of skills that may be useful in working directly with clients and others, including listening for emotions, monitoring one’s own reactions and responses, and building a client-worker relationship, which can foster constructive change in the client.

A life-cycle course sequence exploring the bio-psycho-social-cultural determinants of human behavior from an ecological/systems perspective. Emphasis is placed on the adaptive capacity of humans in interaction with their physical and social environments. SWK 350 examines conception through adolescence and SWK 351 young adulthood through old age.

This course emphasizes skills in social work assessment and intervention wit micro client systems. The generalist perspective and theoretical underpinnings of systems intervention will be developed and applied in the context of generalist social work practice.

Throughout this course, students develop skills in social work assessment and intervention within mezzo systems. The generalist perspective and theoretical underpinnings of systems intervention are developed and applied in the context of generalist social work practice.

This course is focused on the fundamentals of case management practice skills that are able to be applied in a variety of social service agency, health care, mental health, addictions and other environments. The course will help students develop foundations for best practices in case management practice. Careful consideration will be paid to the case manager’s attitude and professional use of self. Effective communication skills will be addressed in the context of assessing client strengths and needs, and how to best help clients meet their complex needs. The course will also help students learn to formulate an individualized plan with each client and how to monitor the effectiveness of services.

These courses are held concurrently with level I (junior year), II & III (senior year) placements. A weekly seminar format is used for students involved in field instruction; for the duration of field placement. Student case materials, experiences, and external resources are critically analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated. Integration theoretical knowledge with practical field experience is the focus of these courses. Social work field instruction is the signature pedagogy within social work education.

Students work in a community agency or clinical environment two days per week (200 hours) each semester for a total of 3 semesters (600 total hours). One placement occurs in Spring of junior year. The other two placements occur in fall and spring semesters during senior year. Field instruction takes place under the supervision of an agency supervisor and a member of the social work faculty. Students participate fully in agency activities. Social work field instruction is the signature pedagogy within social work education.