Social Work

This course provides an introduction to the social work profession and prepares students for entrance to the social work major. Students are introduced to the attributes, contexts, fields of practice, and practice settings of professional social work. Practice with specific client groups is examined and students are encouraged to begin identifying practice areas of interest to them.

The history, organization, and adequacy of major cash support, in-kind, and social services programs in the United States are analyzed in this course. Attention is focused on the ideological, political, and economic factors that have shaped the development of such initiatives. The emergence of social work as a profession and the role of social workers in social welfare programs is examined.