1996-1997 Academic Catalog

186 Social Sciences and History Social Work The social work major prepares students for future ministries/careers in professional social work, profes– sional church and church related specializations, and informal assistance. The wide range of opportunities within the social work field provides graduates with numerous ways of investing in the lives of individuals, families, groups, and communities. Social work graduates are qualified to take the examina– tion administered by the Counselor and Social Work Board of the State of Ohio. Upon passing the examina– tion they are considered licensed social workers in the State of Ohio. The social work program is in candidacy status with the Council of Social Work Education. Mission Statement The mission of the social work program is to prepare and equip, from a biblical world and life view, social work students who are committed to the core values and purpose of social work, so that these students might obtain entry level social work positions as generalist practitioners, improving the holistic quality oflife of diverse populations in a variety ofwork settings, pursu– ing graduate level education, and continuing involvement in social and political action. Goals The purpose of professional social work education is to enable students to integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession into competent practice and to: 1. Provide content about social work practice with client systems of various sizes and types. 2. Prepare students to practice with diverse populations. 3. Provide content about the social contexts of social work practice, the changing nature of those contexts, the behavior of organizations, and the dynamics of change. 4. Infuse throughout the curriculum the values and ethics that guide professional social workers in their practice. 5. Prepare students who are aware of their responsibility to continue their professional growth and development. 6. Develop a curriculum based upon a liberal arts per– spective and include a professional foundation. 7. Develop a curriculum organized as a coherent and integratedwhole. Objectives Graduates of Cedarville College's baccalaureate social work program will be able to: 1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice. 2. Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value ofdiversity. 3. Demonstrate the professional use of self. 4. Understand the fonns and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the strategies of change that advance social and economic justice. 5. Understand the history of the social work profession and its current structures and issues. 6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work to practice with systems of all sizes. 7. Apply knowledge ofbio-psycho-social-spiritual variables that affect individual development and behav– ior, and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions between individuals and social systems (i.e., families, groups, organizations, and communities). 8. Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies. 9. Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice and, under supervision, evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems. 10. Use communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and members of the conununity. 11. Use supervision appropriate to generalist practice. 12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and, under supervision, seek necessary organizational change. 13. Apply the knowledge, values, and skills of the profession to social work practice within the context of the local church. 14. Analyze and apply the knowledge, values, and skills of social work practice from a biblical world and life view. Admission to the Social Work Program Admission to the social work major occurs during the winter quarter of the sophomore year. Freshmen and sophomores interested in social work should declare their intent to major in social work and meet with an appropri– ate social work advisor to ensure that courses are taken in the proper sequence.