Share, Explore, Engage, Discover (SEED) Mini-course

Only incoming MSW students enroll in this mini course. Mini-course Description: A growing body of research documents the positive health and mental health benefits of participating in organized sports. While much of the current research is focused on youth participation in sports, there is also evidence of how participation can benefit people across the lifespan and from different ethnic and socioeconomic groups. This 2 day mini-course will provide beginning social work students the opportunity to identify how social work knowledge and skills can be integrated into sport and recreation throughout the lifespan.

The course will discuss how social work values, concepts, competencies, and interventions on both the micro and macro levels can enhance sport and recreation activities. Specific strategies such as strength-based coaching, teambuilding, conflict resolution, family engagement, diversity training, community engagement, advocacy and policy development will be discussed. Model interdisciplinary programs that serve at-risk youth, older adults, individuals with disabilities and other special populations will be highlighted. The application of social policy practice will focus on the “pay to play” issue, anti-bullying initiatives, use of social media, childhood obesity prevention, community organization and global social work. Clinical social work concepts from Systems Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Strategies, Adventure Therapy and other models will be discussed as tools to enhance self-esteem, youth development, sports performance and promote the prevention of dangerous behaviors.

Since this is a mini-course, it is not possible to examine each topic in detail. We will provide an introduction to each area, including suggested readings and resources. Through brief lectures, discussion, video presentations, and group projects, students will apply social work competencies including, engagement, assessment, intervention, values and ethics, critical thinking, human behavior in the social environment, diversity, research and evaluation. Guest lecturers will highlight practice issues, resources and emerging trends in the field.