Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/social-work-practice-advocating-social-justice-and-change

Introduction

**Course Review: Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change** **Introduction** The course "Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change" offered on Coursera is an insightful and comprehensive program designed for individuals interested in understanding the essential role social work plays in fostering social justice and supporting vulnerable communities. Through its engaging curriculum, this course seeks to empower learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in transformative social work practices. **Course Overview** The course provides a thorough examination of the social work profession in the United States, articulating how social workers can drive change and foster resilience among individuals, families, and communities. It's structured around crucial themes that address the history, current challenges, and core values that underpin social work practice today. **Syllabus Insights** 1. **What is Social Work?** In the first module, learners dive deep into defining the social work profession. It discusses various roles social workers occupy across different settings, including clinical, community, and policy-level work. Also, attention is given to the core skills necessary for effective practice at micro (individual), mezzo (community), and macro (policy) levels, and the ethical standards guiding the profession. This module sets a solid foundational understanding for anyone new to the field or seeking to broaden their grasp of social work. 2. **Integrated Themes of Social Work** The second module introduces learners to the fundamental frameworks guiding social work engagement. Concepts like the ecological systems perspective and the strengths approach emphasize a holistic view of social issues. Notably, the use of a social justice lens is a recurring theme, encouraging learners to apply these frameworks to practical case situations. The interactive approach enriches the learning experience, making theory applicable to real-world contexts. 3. **A History of Social Work** Module three traces the evolution of social work over the past century, providing learners with an interactive timeline that highlights significant figures, events, and policies shaping the field. By understanding this history, learners can appreciate how past challenges inform current practices and directives. Additionally, the exploration of social work’s “Grand Challenges” inspires reflections on the future trajectory of the profession. 4. **Privilege, Oppression, Diversity, and Social Justice** The final module focuses on the inherent link between social work and social justice. It introduces the P.O.D.S. framework - Privilege, Oppression, Diversity, and Social Justice - underlining the importance of an intersectional approach to social work. Engaging with faculty and practitioners in the field offers learners practical insights into how justice can be centered in social work practice. **Strengths and Recommendations** This course excels in providing a nuanced understanding of social work through diverse and engaging elements. It encourages critical thinking and reflection on personal biases and social structures that perpetuate oppression. For anyone considering a career in social work or those already in the field looking to deepen their understanding, I highly recommend this course. The blend of historical context, theoretical frameworks, and contemporary issues makes it not only informative but also a catalyst for change. Furthermore, the accessibility of insights from professionals and case studies enhances its relevance and application in real-world scenarios. **Conclusion** "Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change" is a vital course for anyone passionate about making a difference in their community and advocating for social justice. Its comprehensive approach provides the tools needed to understand and tackle societal challenges effectively. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with this transformative material that not only educates but inspires action. Enroll today and take the first step towards becoming an advocate for social justice!

Syllabus

What is Social Work?

Welcome to Module 1 of the course! This module focuses on defining social work as a profession, exploring roles social workers perform across settings, examining core social work skills at the micro, mezzo, and macro system levels and addressing social work professional ethics. We hope that by the end of this module, you will have a greater understanding of the breadth of social work and the range of roles and skills social workers develop in their work.

In this Module, you will have the opportunity to learn about the core frameworks and approaches the guide how social workers engage in change efforts. The core frameworks include: the ecological systems perspective, the strengths approach, and empowerment, the use of a social justice lens, a cultural humility framework, and an evidence-informed practice perspective. The module begins with brief mini-lectures about the core frameworks and some examples of how evidence is used to promote change efforts. You will then engage in applying what you have learned to a case situation. You will listen to a brief discussion of the case from former MSW students. You will also take a brief quiz that highlights the core frameworks. To conclude this module, you will hear from a few professionals about how they link the core frameworks to their own practices.

This module explores the history of social work as a field. You will have the opportunity to engage with an interactive timeline that outlines how different people, events, and policies have helped shape U.S. based social work over the past 100 years. You will also hear from current-day social workers whose work builds upon the historical contexts you’ve explored. Finally, you’ll learn about social work’s “Grand Challenges” and how these are shaping the future direction of the field.

Module 4 explores the connection between social work and social justice. Indeed, some social workers maintain that social work is social justice. You’ll learn about a framework for centering justice in social work: Privilege, Oppression, Social Justice, and Diversity (P.O.D.S.), as well as the key concepts of intersectionality and praxis. You will also hear from faculty and social workers in the field about how their work seeks to center justice.