SW - Social Work

Human Behavior and the Social Environment presents students with principles and theories related to human development and human behavior, with an emphasis on introducing students to basic concepts related to psychological trauma and adverse childhood experiences as well as the biopsychosocial framework that supports integrated care. Content introduced in HBSE provides a critical foundation for students as they leverage this knowledge to identify and implement clinical interventions with diverse client groups in a variety of practice settings. For example, HBSE course content is integral to helping young clients develop social and emotional skills, or assisting young adult clients with the development of cognitive-behavioral skills to manage their thoughts and emotions. In terms of the application of evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and other client-centered approaches, it is critical that social workers possess a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and the manner in which biological and social factors contribute to emotional and cognitive functioning and how the same biological and social factors can positively or negatively influence client health, well-being, and functioning.

Research for Social Work Practice is designed to further student's understanding of and ability to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods for the purposes of understanding social problems and examining the effectiveness of social work interventions. This course is the first of two research courses included in the curriculum and it provides foundational knowledge about research design, sampling, measures and data collection techniques, data analysis, and the development of data-driven implications for social work policy, practice, and future research. The course also provides students with an overview of ethical research, presenting historical examples of research misconduct while presenting ethical principles and guidelines for conducting human subjects research, including the role of an institutional review board in conducting research. In this course, students learn beginning data analysis skills using such statistical analytical software as Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel. Students will also be introduced to data visualization software (Tableau) to better understand how data can be effectively disseminated to various community stakeholders. A special focus of the course will be to understanding the differences between evidence-based, evidence-informed, and promising practices so students are ably to critically consume empirical research as they attempt to identify culturally competent and efficacious interventions appropriate for specific client populations, social problems, and settings.

Diversity and Social Justice introduces students to principles and skills of culturally competent social work practice, characterized by an appreciation for diverse groups and cultures and a sophisticated understanding of the influence of the dominant culture on the health and well-being of diverse and marginalized groups and their ability to access resources and secure human rights. Fundamental to this course is an examination of the inequities, oppression, and disparities experienced differently by groups based on their race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other social locations. Further, the concept of intersectionality will serve as a guiding conceptual framework as the course examines the relationships between power and oppression intrinsic to societal practices and structures that contribute to health disparities and social and economic injustice. Given this course's focus on issues of diversity and social justice, it is also where students are introduced to the history, core values, ethical principles, and practice standards of the social work profession. Integrating foundational professional content into this course helps students understand how the social work profession confronts inequity and oppression, leveraging its distinct knowledge base, values, and skills, but also framing the need for social workers to practice engage with other disciplines.

Policy and Advocacy in Social Work Practice is designed to teach students about social work policy practice, identifying how policies developed at the local, state, and national levels and how social welfare programs and other initiatives emanating from these policies attempt to resolve serious social problems affecting diverse client groups. In this class, students will learn ways to effectively and diplomatically work with political leaders and how policy practice has the potential to improve how services and resources are delivered to vulnerable and underserved clients and communities. Students will also learn about the important roles that non-elected state officials play in developing policy and delivering resources and services. Carroll College is located two miles from Montana's state capitol and the state has an open meeting law which allows students to attend any meeting that is being held. With this level of access, students will have many opportunities to meet with and engage with elected and nonelected officials.