Class Descriptions

MasterTrack Skills Lab

SW718

Credits:	3
Prerequisites:	None

Course Description

This laboratory course is designed and reserved for students who completed the School of Social Work MasterTrack Certificate and are enrolled in the MasterTrack MSW option. The course will focus on tying together concepts learned in the MasterTrack Certificate, and developing knowledge, skills, tools and techniques that are critical for successful social work practice. This course provides opportunities for hands-on experience and training, using tangible tools that are critical for success in interpersonal, mezzo, and macro practice. Special emphasis will be placed on approaches that are evidence based, and strengthen socially just and culturally responsive practice.

Objectives

Utilize essential organizational tools and principles to inform practice (Essential 1, 9, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20; EPAS 1, 2, 6, 7, 8).
Employ effective communication skills in assessing and determining appropriate intervention strategies (Essential 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 23; EPAS 4, 6, 8).
Apply a scientific approach to design appropriate interventions based on client and/or community needs (Essential 2, 3, 5, 22, 27; EPAS 4, 6, 7, 8, 9).
Analyze the roles that social science, history, theory, and culture play in impacting local, national, and international practices and advocacy of social justice (Essential 6, 33, 38; EPAS 1, 2, 3, 6, 7).
Advocate for current and relevant social justice issues incorporating various methods of engagement (Essential 32, 35; EPAS 3, 5).

Design

This course is designed to be interactive and seminar/discussion focused. Because of the hybrid nature of this course, students will be expected to structure their time to complete the course activities, largely outside of class. The course will revolve around several major assignments, with project groups meeting regularly through the semester. Discussions/ seminars will be used as consultation throughout the term. This course supplements the learning that occurred in the MasterTrack Certificate courses and focuses more on skill development and application.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course will integrate PODS (privilege, oppression, diversity and social justice) as the framework through which social work practice is viewed. Students will explore how these concepts manifest in social work practice. Students will provide a demonstration of a product or assignment, and reflect on the relationship to PODS.

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.