2008-2009 Academic Catalog

Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Sociology School of Social Sciences and Human Performance Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Sociology 186 Cedarville University 2008–09 Social Work The social work major prepares students for future ministries/ careers in professional social work, professional 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. The social work program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. Social work graduates are eligible for licensure. Mission Statement The mission of the Cedarville University Social Work Program is to prepare students to lead in serving those in need as professional generalist social workers by empowering them with the knowledge, values, and skills of the profession from a Biblical worldview. Goals The goal of the social work program is ultimately to enable students to integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession into competent practice by: Providing content about social work practice from a 1. generalist perspective with client systems of various sizes and types. Preparing students with the skills, values, and knowledge to 2. practice with diverse populations at risk. Providing content about social contexts, the changing 3. nature of those contexts, the behavior of organizations, and the dynamics of change. Preparing students who are aware of their responsibility to 4. continue their professional growth and development. Preparing students to practice with populations at risk with 5. unique discrimination and oppressive histories (with a special focus on poverty). Integrating biblical principles throughout the curriculum so 6. that students can appropriately integrate their faith and that of their clients into the helping relationship. Laying a foundation of core skills essential to a high caliber 7. of social work practice (i.e., problem solving, listening, verbal and written communication, and critical thinking). Creating an appreciation for the profession as well as an 8. understanding of the history, personalities, and issues and events that helped to shape it. Infusing throughout the curriculum the values and ethics 9. that guide professional social workers in their practice. Objectives Graduates of the Cedarville University baccalaureate social work program will be able to: Apply critical thinking skills within the context of 1. professional social work practice. Integrate Christian beliefs and values with professional 2. social work values and ethics as set forth in the code of ethics. Practice without discrimination and with respect, 3. knowledge, and skills related to client’s age, class, color, culture, political ideology, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race religion, political and sexual orientation. Identify the issues underlying the conditions of poverty, 4. oppression, and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice nationally and globally. Comprehend and interpret the history of the social work 5. practice and its contemporary structures and issues. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work to 6. practice with systems of all sizes and in the context of the church. Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social-spiritual variables 7. and use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to interpret individual development and behavior across the life span and the interaction among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities. Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies. 8. Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to 9. practice under supervision, and evaluate their own practice interventions. Use communication skills differentially across client 10. populations, colleagues, and communities Utilize supervision and consultation appropriate to 11. generalist practice. Function within the structure of organizations and service 12. delivery systems and, under supervision, seek necessary organizational change. Social Work Advisory Council The Social Work Advisory Council consists of social work professionals, agency administrators, clergy, and educators representing public, private, and church-related service agencies. Through semi-annual meetings, these experts advise the University and evaluate its plans for training skilled social work professionals with a commitment to core values and a biblical world and life view. Council members include: Nelson Henning,Advisory Council Chair, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH Bethany Duncan, Sr. Student Representative, Cedarville Unviersity Cedarville, OH Deborah Esala, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Kettering, OH Joan Fleming, Kirkmont Presbyterian Church, Beavercreek, OH Christine Fulmer, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH Jennifer Gilliam, Samaritan Behavioral Health, Inc., Dayton, OH Sharon Guenther, Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, OH Sarah Hamilton, Jr. Student Representative, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH George Huff, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH Sonia Hunt, National Heritage Academy, Dayton, OH Greg Kelly, Benchmark Family Services, Florence, KY Michael Kessler, Rocking Horse Center, Springfield, OH Esther Lanham,Advisory Council Secretary, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH Debbie Matheson, Family Violence Prevention Center, Xenia, OH Cari Maynard,Adoption Consultant, Grove City, OH Greg Meriwether, Dept. of Veteran Affairs Readjustment Counseling Services, Dayton, OH Denise Summerville, Greene County Board of MRDD, Xenia, OH Deanna Throop, Social Work Consultant, Xenia, OH Eric Van Vlymen,Alzheimer’s Association, Dayton, OH Jan White, Greene County Juvenile Court Administrator, Xenia, OH Emily Wolf,The Glen at St. Joseph, Dayton, OH