Introduction to Social Work
This social work course introduces students to the history of the social work profession and social welfare in the United States. Students learn the grounding principles, values, concepts, and terminology of the social work profession and social welfare through the eyes of a generalist practitioner who facilitates planned change processes across systems involved with alleviating social problems and providing social services.
Students learn the NASW Code of Ethics, guiding principles and values, and practice settings as they pertain to generalist social work that builds on strengths and social justice.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the components of generalist social work practice and the concepts of social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Identify current needs and changing contexts for social work practice, including poverty and inequality; family, child, and older adult welfare; healthcare; behavioral health; military; and environmentalism.
- Formulate advocacy-based responses to current needs and changing contexts.
- Develop self-knowledge and growth in learning about diversity and difference.
- Describe how the NASW Code of Ethics and the CSWE competencies guide social work practice.