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Foundation Integrative Seminar II (SOWK 6159)

Prepare to begin your social work career.

SOWK 6159 Foundation Integrative Seminar III is the final in a three-part sequence that takes place across the three consecutive terms of your 450-hour practicum. In this course, you will integrate the general knowledge, skills and values learned in foundation courses with the experiences and observations of your field education.

Course Description

Each state has specific statutes and codes relevant to social work that must be adhered to along with federal statutes. You will identify which of these laws regulate your field placement setting and its programs and services, and develop your understanding of the types of practice situations that could give rise to an allegation of wrongdoing or professional negligence. With this understanding, you will know what precautionary steps may reduce the chances of being named in a malpractice suit. Social work inevitably involves affecting change in peoples’ lives. You will be able to describe the fundamental beliefs about change that guide the services offered by your field placement setting, as well as apply the perspectives and theories used to plan and guide intervention and agency programs. To understand how effective change occurs, you will evaluate the data-gathering, assessment tools and common interventions used in your field placement setting, as well how the effectiveness of interventions are measured. You will continue to improve your engagement and communication skills in order to conduct the most informative interviews possible with clients. As a social worker, your case management role is to help clients become empowered through the services and resources you will have at hand or can broker. You will discover how social workers advocate for change with and on behalf of clients where systems, institutions or organizations obstruct, withhold or deny needed services and resources.

Sample Learning Exercise

Interview a client and fully document the process, including orienting information, verbatim dialogue, an analysis of the interview and a social service plan/intervention plan.

Course Topics

Throughout this course, you will focus on select core topics or themes. Sample topics are listed below and are subject to change based on the instructor.

  • Legal Concerns
  • Planned Change Process
  • Assessing Practice Skills
  • Merging Self and Profession

Learning Outcomes

Through SOWK 6159, you will gain a better understanding of topics specific to professional social work identity, values and ethics, diversity, human rights, social and economic justice, and cultural competence with emphasis on Hispanic families and children.

  • Demonstrate a commitment to the enhancement of the social work profession and to personal conduct and growth.
  • Tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflict.
  • Recognize the history of oppression and discrimination on the client population served by your field education agency.

Learn More About Helping Others

You will take SOWK 6159 concurrently with your practicum to better support and learn from your field experience. To learn more about this course or any other course in the online Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, call 855-275-1082 to speak with an admissions advisor right away, or you can request more information.

The content presented on this page is representative information for example purposes and is subject to change as course and student needs change over time.

Programs that include this course